© 2008 Glen Leigh Santa Gertrudis Stud Last Updated 27/12/2008


We first started using Santa Gertrudis bulls back in the early 90's. Our first Santa bull purchase was Gungel D444 , who we named Monty. He was purchased from Vic Johnston & Sons, Tenterfield. Monty's sire was King Ranch Kenway and his dam Gungel 17. Monty was a big frame, tidy bull with a wonderful temperament. He was used over a herd base of Hereford X and Angus X cows. We were absolutely amazed at how well his progeny grew out. Our second Santa bull came from Norm & Penny Whitaker, Newton Boyd Stud, near Glen Innes. With these two bulls our Santa herd grew over the next few years. Monty stayed with us until he reached the age of nine. He had such an impact with our herd. His females also became large framed, tidy navel, good udders, great temperament and very maternal mothers. Monty's granddaughters are still within our herd today. As well, the Newton Boyd bull put some extra length to the females.
After Monty and the Newton Boyd bull were sold our next purchase was Hunter Eugene , who's sire was Nungaroi Laramie and his dam Nungaroi Lyn. Eugene was purchased from a sale at Singleton along with 10 Santa Heifers. By the year 2000 our herd was almost completely purebred Santa Gertrudis. Ian decided to crossbreed with Charolais. We purchased a Boongatti Charolais bull to join with our Santa cows. The calves from this crossbreed were amazing. The calves had good growth and were solid at weaning. We kept the offspring until they were 2yr olds, the steers weighing incredibly at sale, most of the heifers were kept as replacements because of their size and fertility.
In April 2006 we purchased a large consignment of 111 PTIC heifers from Webster/Mahony (Joyce) families. Out of these 67 were Gyranda registered heifers and the rest were mostly Gyranda bred. We calved out the heifers until December 06, then weaned in April.
July 2006 at the Casino all breeds Sale we purchased Leefalls Apollo . Apollo was purchased for his growth, tidy underbelly and is a Poll bull. The 2007 calving season has seen the first drop of Apollo's calves. At that same sale Felicity purchased Allendale H205 and Allendale H577 as a cow and calf unit. H205 has now had 6 calves, 3 are classified, 1 heifer is yet to classify next year and has a bull calf at foot.
At the Toowoomba Ag Show in September 2006 we purchased another 3 classified bulls to add to our sire list. They are, Felton Park 539 , Felton Park 544 (PS) and Happy Valley404 .
2007 sales include Hardigreen Park Juggler and Tookey Creek 8705, both purchased from the Santa Central Sale in September. Unfortunately we only had one breeding season with H P Juggler, as a permanent injury made him unusable, so he had to be culled. Although disappointed, we have seen some of our best calves this year produced by Juggler. All of his bull calves have been kept so far.
Our only bull purchase in 2008 was from the Toowoomba Ag Show Big S Group Sale. Dundee Ureka a son of a great bull, Kendara Uni. We liked Ureka for his frame and tidiness, he has great bone structure and will be a very big bull once he has finished growing. Ureka is going to be a great asset to the female herd.
Most recently were aquired 7 Hartwood cows, 5 with calves, from the dispersal sale held on Hartwood property at Nymagee, near Cobar. The cows have made themselves at home at Glen Leigh and have settled in well. They are now running with the rest of the stud cows. The last 2 remaining Hartwood cows have now calved.
In 2009 will see the commencement of an AI program. We are very excited about it and more details will be posted soon.. We will be using some great sires.