Brazilian cattle breeders trialling feed efficiency in Santa Gertrudis breed

The Santa Gertrudis cattle breed is less well known amongst cattle breeders here, but is more common in parts of the US and South America.

The breed originates from a cross of both zebu and European cattle breeds and is known for traits including its heat and tick resistance.

A recent Performance Evaluation Trial of the Santa Gertrudis breed, conducted at the Central Bela Vista Technology Center in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, demonstrated that genetic gain in the breed is delivering “measurable progress”, according to the researchers.

As well as weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass quality in the Santa Gertrudis breed was also examined in the research.

The animals’ diets were formulated to support an estimated average daily gain (ADG) of 1.1kg/day.

The cattle were 14 months-of-age and still in an active growth phase when placed on the trial.

The diet composition was as follows:

Corn silage (41.55%);
Sugarcane bagasse (5%);
Ground corn grain (42%);
Soybean meal (8.64%);
Mineral pre-mix (2.82%).

Agriland asked the Brazilian Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ Association if any hormones, ionophores, beta-agonists or growth promoters were used on the cattle in the trial.

Responding to the query, Anderson Fernandes, president of the associations’ technical council, emphasised that the use of growth or fattening hormones for animals intended for slaughter is prohibited under Brazilian legislation.

“It is important to emphasise that the use of growth or fattening hormones for animals intended for slaughter is prohibited under Brazilian legislation.”

He said: “The only one used is an ionophore (monensin), which is included in the mineral premix at a concentration of 600 mg/kg.

The trial included 59 animals – 35 of which were male and 24 female.

These were managed under identical conditions over a 77-day period, including 21 days of adaptation and 56 days of official evaluation.

During the official test phase, males recorded an ADG of 1.57kg/day, while females reached 1.44kg/day.

The top-performing animals surpassed 2.18 kg/day – achieving final weights above 530kg at an average age of 15 months.

Feed efficiency

The trial also assessed feed efficiency and looked at how effectively animals convert feed into body mass, and carcass traits directly linked to the end-product quality, including muscling, marbling, and fat cover.

Male cattle in the trial averaged a ribeye area of 83.17cm² and females demonstrated strong marbling levels, averaging 3.28%, along with adequate finishing.

Commenting on the findings, production and research supervisor at Central Bela Vista, Matheus Henrique Vargas de Oliveira said: “The results show consistent progress in performance, feed efficiency, and carcass quality.

“Males significantly exceeded dietary targets, and we observed important improvements in muscle deposition.

“The top animals have already been selected for further evaluation as young sires, and semen has been collected at Central Bela Vista for distribution to breeders.”

Cattle breed society comment

Anderson Fernandes, president of the Technical Council of the Brazilian Santa Gertrudis Association said that when comparing 2025 to 2024 data, “we observed nearly a 10% increase in ADG among the top-ranking animals, along with a higher concentration of cattle in the superior performance classes.

“Genetic progress is occurring across the breed as a whole,” he said.

Individual animal highlights from the trials included animal 1729 DA JATOBÁ. This animal was the overall performance index leader among males.

Female 4/127 DA BILÍ topped the female ranking with an index of 129.5 in the Elite classification (first place).

Antônio Roberto, president of the Brazilian Santa Gertrudis Association said: “The results confirm the programmes’ maturity and the breed’s alignment with modern beef industry demands.

“Santa Gertrudis cattle are delivering more productive, efficient animals with carcass quality aligned with market requirements.”

The Brazilian-based cattle breed association believe that more efficient cattle produce more beef with better feed utilisation.

A statement from the association said that better feed utilisation helps in “reducing waste and improving system sustainability and profitability”.

“For consumers, this translates into greater product uniformity, quality, and predictability in the marketplace,” the association said.

The statement from the breed association acknowledged that the quality of beef reaching retail shelves and efficient, sustainable production chains “begins long before the packing plant”.

“It starts with genetics, herd management, and on-farm production efficiency.”

This was the second performance evaluation trial of the Santa Gertrudis breed to be conducted at the Central Bela Vista Technology Center in Botucatu, Sao Paulo.

The association said that the findings of the trial “demonstrates that this work is delivering measurable progress”.

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