CATTLE
Definitive guide to SA beef production
A
comprehensive
record of beef
breeding in South
Africa, equipping the reader
with information on
understanding beef breeding, advances in breeding
technologies and practical
applications is available from
the ARC-Animal Production
Institute entitled Beef
Breeding in South Africa.
The book includes information on all beef and dual
purpose breeds recognized
in South Africa, including the
performance recording
results of these breeds.
The book begins with an
overview of what every
successful stud and commercial breeder should know
about breeding, selection,
effective crossbreeding and
what recording is all about.
The book will also give
decision makers more insight
on the latest and future
genetic selection tools and
the application of DNA
technology, in addition to
the discussion on principles
of economic selection
indices.
The information on the
various breeds is valuable to
beef farmers who want to
start farming and are
struggling to make breed
choice, and even existing
farmers who are considering
crossbreeding.
The book can be ordered
from Una-Lou Lecuona at
[email protected] or
tel 012 672-9391. The cost
is R200 with extra for
postage.
Choose a breed that suits your purpose & plot
W
ith all the factors
in place on your
smallholding for
keeping cattle, such as
adequate grazing, sturdy
fences, housing etc, the
question arises as to what
breed will best suit your plans.
There are so many breeds and
crosses of cattle today that it's
hard to know which ones to
choose when selecting cattle
for a plot or small farm. There
are dozens of beef breeds,
some dual purpose breeds
and a half dozen major dairy
breeds.
Animals can usually adapt to a
new environment, but this
can be a lengthy process.
Buying animals from an area
with similar climatic conditions, preferably close afield,
is generally a good idea.
Your choice also depends on
the size of your land, your
resources and your ability to
look after cattle. It will largely
depend on what you want to
do with them. You may want
to raise animals that are bred
either for beef or for dairy, or
you might want a dual
purpose type of cow that
provides milk for your family
and also a good beef-type calf
to butcher.
The size of the cattle might
influence your choice.
12
www.sasmallholder.co.za
Dexters have long been put
forward as one of the better
breeds to keep on a smallholding.
Of all the small breeds, the
Dexter is the only breed that
is small by genetics and not
through human manipulation.
Gentle, versatile and economical, Dexters efficiently turn
pasture into rich milk and
lean meat. They are hardy,
Continued on page 13