Indigenous to Southern Africa, the Afrikaner cattle breed was instrumental in the development of commercial beef production in Namibia.
The breed reached that country in the late 1800s and early 1900s from South Africa, and proved highly adaptable to arid desert conditions, extreme heat, tropical diseases and both internal and external parasites.
The ancestors of the breed crossed into Africa from Aden (the capital of today’s Yemen) and gradually migrated southwards, with only the best-adapted animals finally reaching Southern Africa.
FOUNDATION STOCK
In the early days of commercial cattle farming in the region, the Afrikaner was the most popular breed, and contributed its genetics to many synthetic breeds.
It was initially dual-purpose (kept for milk and meat production) and also used as a draught animal.
In 1896, the rinderpest almost exterminated the breed in Southern Africa. As a result, various breeds were imported, mainly from Britain and Europe, to build up the region’s depleted cattle numbers. This led to the development of composite breeds through crossbreeding, of which the Bonsmara (which is 5/8 Afrikaner) is probably the best known.
The past few years, however, have seen renewed interest in the hardy Afrikaner.
“It’s the breed for the future because of a shift in focus towards adaptability and productivity,” says Manie Blaauw, a fifth-generation Afrikaner producer on the farm Salztal in the ||Karas region of southern Namibia.
“It’s as competitive today as it was in its glory days, and we aim to see it regain its rightful place in Southern Africa’s beef cattle-breeding sector."
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin Farmer's Weekly 17 March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
When short-term rentals make sense
Bianca Smit, national operations manager at CFAO Equipment SA, outlines factors to consider when choosing a rental equipment partner.
The timing of onion sowing is critical
Each onion variety has a different resistance to bolting, thus growers need experience and knowledge to guide them,
Understanding cannabis and hemp regulations in South Africa
South Africa's cannabis and hemp regulations remain a topic of debate and uncertainty, particularly when it comes to commercial use and small-scale production. Cannabis experts Shaad Vayej and Trenton Birch spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the challenges that small-scale cannabis and hemp farmers face.
European seed's influence on the US cannabis market
The expansion of European cannabis seed onto the US market is not just about economic growth; it’s also about enriching the landscape of US cannabis with diversity, innovation and education,
'It's important to get the right tool for the job'
The adoption of technology is crucial to sustaining efficiency gains and beating the cost-price squeeze in the agriculture sector.
A brilliant bushveld break between Bela-Bela and Modimolle
The distinctive touch, diligence, and 24/7 customer care are just a few of the reasons you should visit four-star Tourism Council-graded Pumula Game Farm,
John Deere: elevating performance and efficiency in modern farming
In the fast-paced world of farming, the right tools make all the difference.
The naval disaster Winston Churchill tried to hide
Three British warships were sunk by German naval gunfire on a dark day early in World War II, but the heroes who fought back received only muted recognition, possibly to avoid bad publicity,
Breaking down the principles of regenerative farming
Jean Hugo, a post-graduate student at the Tshwane University of Technology, and Leon Hugo, author on environmental matters and former professor of geography at the University of Pretoria, write about the importance of regenerative agriculture for small-scale farmers, and the challenges related to making the shift.
Ectoparasite control: more tips for livestock farmers
To reduce the mayhem that uncontrolled ectoparasites can create for communal farmers, it’s best to adopt a holistic approach in conjunction with veterinary remedies,
