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The Swan Hill Santa Gertrudis stud was established in 1960 by Terry Russell and his wife Jacqueline, making it one of the few studs to have reached over 50 years of breeding. At this time the Blackall-Tambo district was seen as Merino wool country and the few cattle in the area were predominantly Shorthorn or Hereford.
The decision to bring Santa Gertrudis to the area was considered risky at the time however the breed quickly proved to be a successful crossbreed and purebred in their own right.
The first Santa Gertrudis cows arrived at Swan Hill on Melbourne Cup day in 1960. The Swan Hill Stud was founded on King Ranch bloodlines and developed with predominately Yarrawonga bloodlines. In recent years replacement sires have been secured from a range of studs including Rowanlea, Warrillee, Drensmaine, Rosevale and Eyriewald as well as from within the Swan Hill stud.
The first on property auction sale was held in June 1969 with 39 bulls and 20 heifers on offer. Swan Hill has held an on property sale every year since, with the exception of the last few years when the annual sale was held at the Blackall Sale Yards due to the prolonged widespread drought.
Today Swan Hill Cattle Company is run by Terry’s son Cam, along with his wife Fiona and their children, and includes three properties in the Blackall-Tambo district. In recent years the drought has forced a reduction in stock numbers with approximately 600 head remaining in the commercial herd, and 300 cows in the stud.
The Swan Hill breeding program places emphasis on good muscled, easy doing cattle. A calm temperament and fertility are also important, as well as a strong, but not dominant, poll genetic mix.
The decision to bring Santa Gertrudis to the area was considered risky at the time however the breed quickly proved to be a successful crossbreed and purebred in their own right.
The first Santa Gertrudis cows arrived at Swan Hill on Melbourne Cup day in 1960. The Swan Hill Stud was founded on King Ranch bloodlines and developed with predominately Yarrawonga bloodlines. In recent years replacement sires have been secured from a range of studs including Rowanlea, Warrillee, Drensmaine, Rosevale and Eyriewald as well as from within the Swan Hill stud.
The first on property auction sale was held in June 1969 with 39 bulls and 20 heifers on offer. Swan Hill has held an on property sale every year since, with the exception of the last few years when the annual sale was held at the Blackall Sale Yards due to the prolonged widespread drought.
Today Swan Hill Cattle Company is run by Terry’s son Cam, along with his wife Fiona and their children, and includes three properties in the Blackall-Tambo district. In recent years the drought has forced a reduction in stock numbers with approximately 600 head remaining in the commercial herd, and 300 cows in the stud.
The Swan Hill breeding program places emphasis on good muscled, easy doing cattle. A calm temperament and fertility are also important, as well as a strong, but not dominant, poll genetic mix.
