NGUNI THE BREED FROM THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE B Yolanda...
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INTRODUCTION The Nguni can be classified as a Sanga-type of cattle breed. Nguni people and their livestock migrated from North, Central and East Africa, crossing the Zambezi between 590 and 700 AD. In the process they had to adapt to the environmental extremes of Southern, Central and Eastern Africa. The Nguni cattle breed has over centuries survived seasonal and periodic droughts and therefore has developed into a very hardy breed. THE AIM OF THE NGUNI CATTLE BREEDERS’ SOCIETY The Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society was established in 1986 with 25 members. The mission of the Society is to conserve and enhance the unique characteristics of the Nguni Breed and to promote the growth and proliferation of Nguni herds in South Africa. The Society also strives to serve the needs of the members. FACTS ABOUT NGUNI CATTLE: Nguni cattle play an important role in the SA beef industry, because of the following traits: Is an excellent dam line for crossbreeding No calving difficulties Highly fertile with a long productive life Perform well in feedlots, also crosses Good mothering ability and a high re-conception rate, even under extreme conditions Mortality rates from birth to weaning are very low CHARACTERISTICS OF NGUNI CATTLE: Most resistant to ticks of all breeds in South Africa and shows tolerance to tick-borne diseases Has meat tenderness characteristics similar to or exceeding that of exotic breeds Small to medium framed with a wide range of colours and patterns Different eco-types that ensures genetic variability within the breed and adaptation to all ecological areas within Southern Africa Adaptability to harsh extensive conditions Early sexual maturity, particularly in heifers Low maintenance breed Heat tolerance NGUNI THE BREED FROM THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE By Yolanda Venter Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society, PO Box 506, Bloemfontein, 9300, tel: 051-4487303, fax: 051-4487304, email: [email protected]
Transcript of NGUNI THE BREED FROM THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE B Yolanda...
INTRODUCTION
The Nguni can be classified as a Sanga-type of cattle breed. Nguni people and their livestock
migrated from North, Central and East Africa, crossing the Zambezi between 590 and 700 AD. In the process they had to adapt to the environmental extremes of Southern, Central and Eastern Africa.
The Nguni cattle breed has over centuries survived seasonal and periodic droughts and therefore has developed into a very hardy breed.
THE AIM OF THE NGUNI CATTLE BREEDERS’ SOCIETY
The Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society was established in 1986 with 25 members. The mission of the Society is to conserve and enhance the unique characteristics of the Nguni Breed and to promote the
growth and proliferation of Nguni herds in South Africa. The Society also strives to serve the needs
of the members.
FACTS ABOUT NGUNI CATTLE:
Nguni cattle play an important role in the SA beef industry, because of the following traits:
Is an excellent dam line for crossbreeding No calving difficulties
Highly fertile with a long productive life Perform well in feedlots, also crosses
Good mothering ability and a high re-conception rate, even under extreme conditions Mortality rates from birth to weaning are very low
CHARACTERISTICS OF NGUNI CATTLE:
Most resistant to ticks of all breeds in South Africa and shows tolerance to tick-borne diseases Has meat tenderness characteristics similar to or exceeding that of exotic breeds
Small to medium framed with a wide range of colours and patterns
Different eco-types that ensures genetic variability within the breed and adaptation to all ecological areas within Southern Africa
Adaptability to harsh extensive conditions Early sexual maturity, particularly in heifers
Low maintenance breed Heat tolerance
NGUNI THE BREED FROM THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE
By
Yolanda Venter
Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society, PO Box 506, Bloemfontein, 9300, tel: 051-4487303, fax: 051-4487304, email: [email protected]
Placid temperament
REPRODUCTION STATISTICS FOR NGUNI CATTLE ACCORDING TO THE INTERGIS
DATABASE (August 2010) IS:
Average age at first calving 28.4 months
Average inter-calving period 409 days
The estimated calving percentage of reproductive females 89,24%
AVERAGE WEIGHTS FOR NGUNI CATTLE AT DIFFERENT AGES, ACCORDING TO “BEEF BREEDING IN SOUTH AFRICA, 2nd EDITION” ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Average birth weight 25 kg
Average weaning weight (205 days) 155 kg
Average weight at 18 months (540 days) 230 kg
Average weight of cow at weaning of calf 367 kg
CONCLUSION
The Nguni has the ability to thrive on natural grazing and is well positioned to enter the market for
grass-fed beef. It has excellent meat quality and tenderness. An area with added economical
potential is the value-added market for Nguni hides – either as intact hides or as finished products
such as covered furniture and accessories. In this respect Nguni cattle can offer a unique and
additional product to the farmer. Nguni cattle produce beef at the lowest cost per kilogram per
hectare which make them the most profitable and economically sustainable cattle breed.
