Cree Santa Gertrudis

Breeding Philosophy

Quantified performance through validated genetics.

The stud is managed with a commercially orientated focus, breeding cattle that are functional and sound, that can rear a calf with good weaner weights, re-breed each year, and do this regardless of season and environment.

Our History

Shaun and Jo have a deep-rooted history in agriculture, both having grown up on grazing properties in central Queensland and the North Burnett. Their passion for Santa Gertrudis cattle began at an early age—Jo’s parents were involved at Eidsvold Station the year she was born (1972), while Shaun’s parents introduced Santa Gertrudis bulls into their commercial herd the year he was born (1967).

The Cree herd was initially founded from a purebred Hereford herd, with the introduction of the first Santa Gertrudis bulls in 1967. The core focus of the Cree Stud has always been to breed cattle that are adaptable to the harsh Central and Northern Australian climate, are fertile, consistently produce strong weaners each year, and possess a manageable temperament.

In its early years, the Cree herd was showcased in the show ring, where it was highly competitive in both the Santa Gertrudis and Bos Indicus categories. However, in recent years, the emphasis has shifted from showing cattle to performance recording, largely due to the increased feeding requirements to remain competitive in the show ring.

At Cree, we place a strong emphasis on breeding cattle with longevity. Many producers have experienced the benefits of the rigorous management practices applied to the Cree breeders. Short joining periods and low maintenance ensure that only females with exceptional stayability are retained. This selective breeding strategy proves especially beneficial during dry times, as the true advantages of the management practices become evident.

The Cree herd is extensively recorded, with numerous traits measured for each year’s calf drop. The highest-performing animals are recognized for their genetic merit. As George Box famously said, “All models are wrong, but some are useful.” With this in mind, we believe that the combination of BREEDPLAN and Predictor Plus provides valuable data that we can confidently use to identify and record the traits necessary to drive genetic improvement.

As a seedstock producer, Cree is proud to be the first and currently the only Santa Gertrudis herd to have been awarded a 5-Star rating for Completeness of Recording, which has led to an increased demand for our high-performing animals. Our sires are raised in a healthy, well-managed environment, and we adhere to the following practices:

-Animals are grown on natural grazing pastures

-All cattle meet Immune-Ready guidelines

-Certified by Australian Accredited Cattle Vets