Access to the latest information and the opportunuity to compare with peers are both crucial for the cattle breeder. This is what the Simmentaler/Simbra Hoogland Study Group aims to achieve for its members with its annual Young Bull Day. Organiser Rick Dell spoke to Annelie Coleman.
The Simmentaler/ Simbra Hoogland Study Group’s Young Bull Day was held on the farm Ashtonvale near Bethlehem this year, and a total of 67 Simbras and 42 Simmentalers took part.
One Simbra breeder, Hendrik Grobbelaar, travelled from Tosca in North West, more than 600km away, to attend the event.
According to organiser Rick Dell, the bulls were between one and two years old and competed in four classes divided into the quarters of the year.
The Young Bull Day creates an opportunity for breeders to show animals without the high costs associated with conventional showing, he says. “We provided for both halter-tame animals and animals from the veld in a ring similar to an auction ring.”
The bulls were evaluated by three of South Africa’s most experienced interbreed cattle judges: Fred Dell, Martin Seyfferdt and Marius Barkhuizen. Between them, they have more than 70 years’ experience as adjudicators.
STRUCTURAL CORRECTNESS
According to Seyfferdt, the animals were assessed on structural correctness. A top bull, he stresses, needs to be strong and masculine, with good length and depth. Strong hindquarters and a well-balanced back and loins are also essential.
As some of the bulls were brought to the show directly from the veld, the judges did not take physical condition into account. Judging of young bulls does not differ much from that of older bulls, although bulls can change between the age of, say, 15 months and two-and-a-half years. Pigmentation, testes and mouths, however, remain the same.
“We were, by and large, impressed with the quality of bulls presented at the Young Bull Day. However, we did pick up a few problems pertaining to masculinity and hocks here and there,” says Seyfferdt.
BREED WITH A SPECIFIC GOAL IN MIND
Esta historia es de la edición March 29, 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 29, 2019 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
