2016 Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Field Day

The 2016 Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Field Day was held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from Noon to 4:30 at Tommy Shealy's T&S Farm in Leesville, SC. The day began with a barbecue lunch catered by Shealy's BBQ. About 25 people were in attendance from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The group consisted of established seedstock producers and producers who were relatively new to the breed.

Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas President Scott Sherrill highlighted that the focus of the day would be on adding value to our product, and welcomed the speakers for the day, Carrie Pickworth and Johnny Rogers of NC State University, Scott Sell of Clemson University, and SGBI Executive Director John Ford.

Scott Sell, who has run the Edisto Forage Bull Test for the past 4 years, began the presentations with a summary of Clemson's Edisto Forage Bull Test. He highlighted the Santa Gertrudis breed's history with the test, as it holds the four top prices the sale has ever seen; however, he noted that there has not been any participation from the breed in over 20 years. He noted some changes to the program, including that the test is now 100% forage based, but bulls that go on to the post-test sale do receive a limited grain ration prior to the sale. Over 33 years, the Edisto Forage Bull Test has tested 2,119 bulls, sold 1,403, averaging $2292.57 per head. He compared costs of testing a bull through the Edisto Forage Bull Test and the grain-based Clemson Bull Test. He also noted some updates to the facility that have taken place over recent years. He highlighted throughout his work the very important contributions by Larry Olson to the program and complimented Dr. Olson's meticulous record-keeping. He stated that the majority of the buyers coming to the sale are commercial producers, and reiterated that it has been a long time since bos indicus bulls have gone through the sale, but he identified the test and sale as an opportunity for Santa Gertrudis producers.

Following Mr. Sell was Dr. Carrie Pickworth of NC State University, who discussed understanding and interpreting carcass ultrasound data. Her presentation focused on both the technique and technology behind collecting carcass ultrasound data, but also demonstrated how a breeder might use carcass ultrasound data to make management decisions. She discussed the critical measurements from ultrasound data: the rib eye area and back fat measurements are used to determine a yield grade, and showed the relationship between the ultrasound image and the actual cut of meat. She then discussed IMF and its relationship to quality grades. She explained the value of collecting carcass ultrasound data for influencing EPDs, and noted its value to the farmer to develop more uniform cattle with better muscling, better marbling, and less fat thickness, but noted that its effectiveness is contingent on the breeder's willingness to accept the data and use it to make management decisions, but also emphasized the importance of not engaging in single-trait selection. Her presentation was particularly relevant as members of the Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas begin to actively collect carcass ultrasound data and begin to market animals on whom data has been collected.

The second series of presentations by Johnny Rogers and John Ford focused on Genomics. Johnny Rogers' presentation focused on genomic data usage generally: he explained how the technology has evolved over time and how the science has caught up with the marketing. He explained the influence of ancestors in calculating EPDs and the acceleration of accuracy that could be accomplished through the use of genomics. He put the data in the context of other means of evaluating animals. He reminded the group of the importance of collecting good data, defining contemporary groups, and submitting data to the breed association to improve the validity of EPDs. He did not recommend using genomics for proven sires with high accuracy values, but did emphasize its usefulness for new herd bulls, bulls intended for sale, donor cows, and the possibility of value on replacement heifers.

John Ford's presentation synthesized a lot of the material throughout the day: he focused on the meaning and usage of EPDs and explained selection pressures applied to different economically relevant traits by different producers. He noted that generally, the breed has placed a lot more selection pressure on WW and other growth EPDs, but has not applied as much selection pressure to the carcass qualities. He noted that the breed's relatively new indices are a better indicator for commercial producer selections, while seedstock producers should be more interested in the underlying EPDs for individual traits as they make selection decisions. He informed the group that the breed has taken to updating its EPDs monthly and releasing new percentile tables at the same rate. His key point was that customer needs and goals should drive breeding objectives.

After the presentations, those in attendance gathered for a round table discussion. The first topic was around working with the universities and figuring out ways to get the breed involved in research. The most critical components of a workable project were that the results be publishable, result in good data, and not lose money. A few example projects were listed for future work, which will drive future discussions, most of which involved research into efficiency and teat tolerance. There was also discussion of retained ownership programs and feedlot partnerships to get additional kill data, which would also have a significant impact on carcass data collection.

The day concluded with the opportunity for new breeders and more experienced breeders to ask questions of each other. Over the course of the discussion, John Ford highlighted the need to recognize what your market demands and tailor your product accordingly.

All of the day's presentations are available through the resources page at our website www.sgbreedersofthecarolinas.com.

2016 NC State Fair Bull Show Results

Class 624--Bull calved 3/1/16 to 4/30/16
1. JCS Tad Cooper 74/6, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 625--Bull calved 1/1/16 to 2/29/16
1. Massive Hatchet Tripp D652, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 626--Bull calved 11/1/15 to 12/31/15
1. Hatchet Massive Tripp D653, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 627--Bull calved 9/1/15 to 10/31/15
1. Big Show 129-5, Flatwillow Farms
2. Massive Mt. Tripp D651, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Champion Bull Calf
Big Show 129-5, Flatwillow Farms

Reserve Champion Bull Calf
JCS Tad Cooper 74/6, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 631--Bull calved 5/1/15 to 6/30/15
1. Hatchet Mt. Massive D559, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 632--Bull calved 3/1/15 to 4/30/15
1. Hatchet Mt. Massive Tripp D555, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 633--Bull calved 1/1/15 to 2/28/15
1. Hatchet Mt. Grizzley D556, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Yearling Champion Bull
Hatchet Mt. Massive D559, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Reserve Yearling Champion Bull
Hatchet Mt. Grizzley D556, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 639--Bull calved 1/1/14 to 3/31/14
1. Hatchet Mt Massive D453, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 640--Bull calved 7/1/13 to 12/31/13
1. 8/13 Wood, RW Farm

Champion Senior Bull
8/13 Wood, RW Farm

Reserve Champion Senior Bull
Hatchet Mt Massive D453, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Grand Champion and Best of Polled Bull
8/13 Wood, RW Farm

Reserve Grand Champion Bull
Big Show 129-5, Flatwillow Farms

Produce of Dam
1. Miss Hatchet Mt Massive D425, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Get of Sire
1. Creech 904, RW Farm
2. JCS Dean 91/9, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch
3. Massive Mt. Tripp D757, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

2016 North Carolina State Fair Open Show Results: Heifers

Class 602--Heifer Calved 3/1/16 to 4/30/16
1. Pearl 1/16, RW Farm
2. Cindy 2/16, RW Farm
3. Sugar 3/16, RW Farm

Class 604--Heifer Calved 11/1/15 to 12/31/15
1. JCS Lucky Lady 72/5, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 605--Heifer Calved 9/1/15 to 10/31/15
1. Tri C 15/65, Tri C Farms
2. Lucy 9/15, Tri C Farms
3. Tri C 15/58, Tri C Farms

Champion Heifer Calf
Pearl 1/16, RW Farm

Reserve Champion Heifer Calf
Cindy 2/16, RW Farm

Class 608--Heifer Calved 7/1/15 to 8/31/15
1. Flatwillow 314, Flatwillow Farms
2. Flatwillow 308, Flatwillow Farms

Class 609--Heifer calved 5/1/15 to 6/30/15
1. Flatwillow 307, Flatwillow Farms
2. Miss Massive Mt. Grizzley Tripp D511, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 610--Heifer Calved 3/1/15 to 4/30/15
1. JCS Miss Mollie 64/5, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch
2. 3/15 Lady, RW Farm

Class 611--Heifer calved 1/1/15 to 2/28/15
1. Flatwillow 301, Flatwillow Farms
2. JCS Gracie 63/5, J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Champion Yearling Heifer
Flatwillow 301, Flatwillow Farms

Reserve Champion Yearling Heifer
Flatwillow 307, Flatwillow Farms

Class 614--Heifer calved 10/1/14 to 12/31/14
1. Wood 13/14, RW Farm

Class 615--Heifer calved 7/1/14 to 9/30/14
1. Double C 14/73, Tri-C Farm
2. Miss Grizzley D502, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch
3. Miss Massive Amigo D501, Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 616--Heifer calved 4/1/14 to 6/30/14
1. Lizzie 9-14, RW Farm

Champion Senior Female
Wood 13/14, RW Farm

Reserve Champion Senior Female
Lizzie 9-14, RW Farm

Grand Champion Female
Pearl 1/16, RW Farm

Reserve Grand Champion and Best of Polled Female
Flatwillow 301, Flatwillow Farms

North Carolina State Fair Santa Gertrudis Open Show Results (Bull)

Class 623--Bull calved 5/1/14 or later
1. Massive Grizzley D457, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch
2. JCS Harley 56/4, exhibited by J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 624--Bull calved 3/1/14 to 4/30/14
1. JCS Julius 55/4, exhibited by J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch
2. Hatchet Mt Massive D453, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 625--Bull calved 1/1/14 to 2/28/14
1. Bo-Bo 2-14, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Class 626--Bull calved 11/1/13 to 12/31/13
1. Grizzley Massive D411, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 627--Bull calved 9/1/13 to 10/31/13
1. Grizzley D401, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Champion Bull Calf
Bo-Bo 2-14, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Reserve Champion Bull Calf
JCS Julius 55/4, exhibited by J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch

Class 630--Bull calved 7/1/13 to 8/31/13
1. 8/13 Wood, exhibited by Ronald Wood
2. Rebel Ridge 112, exhibited by Lester Smith

Class 632--Bull calved 3/1/13 to 4/30/13
1. Hatchet Massive Tripp D313, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 633--Bull calved 1/1/13 to 2/28/13
1. HF Fred 460/9, exhibited by Michael Hadley

Yearling Champion Bull
8/13 Wood, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Reserve Yearling Champion Bull
HF Fred 460/9, exhibited by Michael Hadley

Class 636--Bull calved 10/1/12 to 12/31/12
1. Hadley 22/1, exhibited by Michael Hadley
2. Ike 9/12, exhibited by Ronald Wood
3. Massive Grizzley B302, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Champion Senior Bull
Hadley 22/2, exhibited by Michael Hadley

Reserve Champion Senior Bull
Ike 9/12, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Grand Champion Bull and Best of Polled
8/13 Wood, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Reserve Grand Champion bull
HF Fred 460/9, exhibited by Michael Hadley

Get of Sire
1. Creech 904, exhibited by Ronald Wood
2. Massive Mt Tripp D757, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch
3. Liberty's Grizzley 95/011, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

North Carolina State Fair Open Santa Gertrudis Show Results (Female)

The North Carolina State Fair Open Santa Gertrudis Show was held on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 3 PM. 29 head of cattle were judged by Doug Satree of Montag, TX. Grand Champion Female was Gray Oaks 220, exhibited by Caroline Creech. Reserve Grand Champion Female was Flatwillow 266, also exhibited by Caroline Creech. Grand Champion Bull was 8/13 Wood, exhibited by Ronald Wood. Reserve Grand Champion Bull was HF Fred 460/9, exhibited by Michael Hadley. Full results were as follows:

Class 601--Heifer calved 5/1/14 and later
1. Creech Tara 95-4, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Class 602--Heifer calved 3/1/14 to 4/30/14
1. R W Farm 7-14, exhibited by Ronald Wood
2. Callie 8-14, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Class 603--Heifer calved 1/1/14 to 2/28/14
1. Ginger 5-14, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Class 603B--Heifer calved 1/1/14 to 2/28/14
1. Miss Massive Amigo D452, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 604--Heifer calved 11/1/13 to 12/31/13
1. JCS Artemis 48/3, exhibited by J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch
2. JCS Kennedy 47/3, exhibited by J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch


Class 605--Heifer calved 9/1/13 to 10/31/13
1. CF Miss Dakota's Taboo 3-3, exhibited by Caroline Creech
2. Miss Massive Grizzley D403, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Calf Champion Heifer
R W Farm 7-14, exhibited by Ronald Wood

Reserve Calf Champion Heifer
CF Miss Dakota's Taboo 3-3, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Class 608--Heifer calved 7/1/13 to 8/31/13
1. Flatwillow 266, exhibited by Caroline Creech
2. Miss Massive Navidad 381, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 610--Heifer calved 3/1/13 to 4/30/13
1. Miss Massive Grizzley D368, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 611--Heifer calved 1/1/13 to 2/28/13
1. Miss Grizzley Massive D 365, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Champion Yearling Heifer
Flatwillow 266, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Reserve Champion Yearling Heifer
Miss Grizzley D365, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 616--Heifer calved 4/1/12 to 6/30/12
Miss Massive Amigo 255, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Class 617--Heifer calved 1/1/12 to 3/31/12
Gray Oaks 220, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Champion Senior Female
Gray Oaks 220, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Reserve Champion Senior Female
Miss Massive Amigo 255, exhibited by Dietrich's Flying D Ranch

Grand Champion and Best of Polled Female
Gray Oaks 220, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Reserve Grand Champion Female
Flatwillow 266, exhibited by Caroline Creech

2014 North Carolina State Fair Santa Gertrudis Junior Beef Heifer Show Results

The North Carolina State Fair Santa Gertrudis Junior Heifer Show was held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 in Raleigh, NC. Caroline Creech exhibited Grand Champion Female, Flatwillow 266, and Reserve Grand Champion, CF Miss Dakota's Taboo 3-3. Eight head were exhibited by five junior members. Complete results are as follows:


Class 3035 (March and April 2014)

1. Tri C 13/54, exhibited by Austin Cameron.

Class 3037 (November and December 2013)

1. JCS Kennedy 47/3, exhibited by Colt Sherrill
2. JCS Artemis 48/3, exhibited by Lauren Sherrill
3. Tri C 13/52, exhibited by Madison Adams

Class 3038 (September and October 2013)

1. CF Miss Dakota's Taboo 3-3, exhibited by Caroline Creech
2. Tri C 13/50, exhibited by Austin Cameron

Class 3039 (July and August 2013)

1. Flatwillow 266, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Class 4043 (November and December 2012)

1. Tri C 12/40, exhibited by Madison Adams

Grand Champion Santa Gertrudis Female:
Flatwillow 266, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Reserve Grand Champion Santa Gertrudis Female:
CF Miss Dakota's Taboo 3-3, exhibited by Caroline Creech

Upcoming Field Day

Santa Gertrudis Breeders:


The Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas are entertaining a field day on SEPTEMBER 13, 2014. The field day is being hosted by Al and Tucker Jackson at Lou-Al-Tuck Farms.

It should be a great time with informative speakers, lunch, and an open cattle show.

Join us at 9:00 a.m. EDT at Lou-Al Tuck. The address is 160 Jackson Lane, Great Falls, South Carolina. Directions: From I-77 in South Carolina, get off on the Exit 48. Go East on Highway 200. Go to 3 to 4 miles and turn left at the first cross road (just past a church on the right) Go one mile, farm is on the right.

See you there,


Carlyle Sherrill
Secretary
Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas