When Bisse Reed and his son Doug, of Duiwelskloof [now Modjadjiskloof], Limpopo, sold their well-known herd of Brahman cattle in February this year, they had already gone a long way towards establishing a fine herd of Nguni cattle.
“While we were still at the height of our Brahman enterprise, we began to take notice of the Ngunis,” says Doug, a veterinarian.
“We read scientific publications about them and looked at the work being done on this breed by reputable, independent researchers.
“All pointed to the conclusion that this breed offered several significant advantages. Some people suggested that this could be the most productive cattle breed in Africa.”
He says it has been claimed that the Nguni produces the most kilograms of calf reared per 100kg cow mated to the bull. This would also mean that this breed produces the most kilograms of beef per hectare under extensive conditions. To examine these apparently extravagant claims, the Reeds invested in a number of Nguni cattle and ran them on a trial basis on a separate farm.
ECONOMIC GROUNDS
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