© 2009 Big S Group                                           

   The Big S Group started from a gathering of Santa Gertrudis followers at the Brisbane Exhibition headed by Andy O’Dwyer and John Bolster. This resulted in a number of Darling Downs breeders forming a small group headed by Robin Hart who became the initial chairman.

   The initial group was called the Southern Queensland Santa Gertrudis Breeders Promotion Group and was formed in 1974. Soon after a name change occurred to what we know as it is today the “Big S Group”.

   The first sale commenced in 1975 at the Argyle selling complex, Kingsthorpe, where this would be the home of the Big S Group for 22 years. After Argyle, the new home for the Big S Bull Sale would be the Toowoomba Ag Show, which is held in September each year.

   The Toowoomba Ag Show sale continuously allows the group to showcase the Santa Gertrudis breed to all other beef producers of different breeds as well as our own in house breeders from right across Australia. The cattle supplied each year for the sale by Big S Group members shows the diversity of the Santa Gertrudis breed.

This happens because our members range from all different types of topography. This also allows the Big S Group members to supply a broad spectrum of quality genetics catering for all different cattleman ranging from the stud breeder to the commercial operations throughout Australia. It is hard to single out any one chairman or executive committee for the groups success, because the strength of the Big S Group has depended on each committee to face different adversities such as drought and beef crashes. With the vision and passion to establish and promote Santa Gertrudis cattle for future beef markets, its through these efforts of past and present group members that the Big S Sale is regarded as the “Premier Multi Vendor Sale” in the bull selling season.

Greg Obst & Helen & John Rohde

2005 Ag Show Bull Sale Poster