Introduction
When visiting on my uncle’s farm in Zambia during the late nineteen sixties I was for the first time introduced to some Boran cattle. I was fascinated by their sturdy body structure and muscling on a small body frame. It was strange that at no stage had this unique African cattle breed crossed the South African borders
On hearing about the importation of Borans during the early 1990 I again became interested in the breed, but knowing about all the hassles of embryo transfers, I decided to wait until the animals could be bought. Realizing that the breed was becoming more and more expensive I decided to buy 10 females and a bull on Terry Mclintoc’s dispersal sale in February 2006. This was arguably the best Boran Stud in South Africa. I immediately mated the beautiful polled bull I had bought for R130,000 to 80 stud Nguni and Bonsmara cows.
We have bought 41 and look forward to an excellent crop of calves to be born in Spring of 2007. The first crop of calves born in 2006 should be available on our Production Sale in 2009. We use the best female genetics available for upgrading and concentrating on stud animals of African decent that already have a record for good fertility etc. We use our own excellent bull (TLM 03-65 "Umvubu") on the upgrades, but we also insaminate them with some of the best bulls in South Africa
Polled Borans
Realizing the excellent Polled Boran genetics available it was to me an obvious choice deciding to concentrate on breeding Polled Borans. In our upgrading program we are also using Polled Nguni Stud Cows, Polled Supertalers and Polled Bonsmara types to ensure that our entire Boran Stud will all be polled.
Polled Boran Breeding Policy
The Zambians and Kenyan Boran breeders have been most successful in their effort to breed what is known as the improved Boran. Our Stud will be endeavouring to take it one step further by using excellent South African indigenous genetics to broaden the genetic base and while doing so also improve some features of the Boran like pendulous sheaths. We will increase selection pressure both on our pure Borans and upgrades to further improve the excellent temperament of the breed, its small frame with outstanding muscling on a very efficient body structure, and we will further expect all improvement with our Borans to take place under extensive natural conditions.
In spite of the huge cost purchasing Boran genetics, we will in no way be spoiling or over manage our Borans. We are focused on breeding Borans that will be an asset to the South African commercial cattle breeders. The Borans resistance to African diseases and ticks, it’s tremendously well fleshed body, with excellent muscling and good movement, coupled to its ability to maintain its condition in extreme drought makes this breed an absolute winner. Its heat tolerance and an ability to withstand cold with terrific hybrid vigor due to being unrelated to other South African breeds, will take South African cattle breeding to a new level.
Being part of a society that shares our vision of being open minded and allowing upgrading and concentrating on economic factors rather that pettiness, makes it exciting. Further allowing the Boran to develop different types and body size for different environmental regions of our vast country is commendable. We look forward to offering our buyers excellent genetics in the near future and a long association with the Boran cattle breed.
Managing and Feeding of Polled Boran
The cows are mated during December and January to calve in September and October. The heifers are also mated and will thus be expected to calve at 24 months.
The calves are weaned in May and those not kept for breeding are sold as weaners. Heifers are mated separately to calve at two years, also in September and October.
Bulls remain on the veldt from weaning until 18 – 24 months when they are sold. We are determined to keep our Borans as hardy as possible giving them only rock salt and adding a protein or energy block only during years of extreme drought.
Our aim is to have all heifers calving at 24 months and every year after that under these natural conditions with no supplementary licks. Heifers calving for the first time at 24 months will during their following winter receive a protein block. Mature cows will have to make do with rock salt only.
No bulls will be fed for any sales or before breeding seasons.
Recording for Profitability
Our Sheep Studs made a name for themselves, not only in South Africa but also overseas, because we don’t only try and breed good looking animals, but also concentrate all our efforts on breeding the most profitable animals.
We intend doing the same with our Borans. We will achieve this by very accurate record keeping and having the data analyzed on our effective and efficient Beef Pro Computer Program.
We will improve on the conformation of our animals by way of the remarks with the linear scoring system. We will also improve cow efficiency by selecting on our BLUP figures that are analyzed, by taking into account first calving date; inter calving period and growth rate of calves.
