PO Box 76 Vredefort 9595 tel 082 339 5998
My farm is in the North East Free State between Parys and Viljoenskroon where we have good natural grazing as well as some Smutsvinger lands. Rainfall averages 630 mm per annum. In 2002 I started breeding Bonsmara cattle for beef using commercial females and a Stud Bull. I was satisfied with the results but experienced some calving problems with heifers and also wished that the Bonsmara was a polled animal.
In searching for a solution I set standards for my ideal cattle that included the following:
Bos Taurus, proven fertility, smooth coat, red colour, naturally polled, passive temperament, easy calving, wean weight of 230kg plus and calf weight less than 34 kg on average.
I was unable to find a breed that met all these requirements and decide to cross my commercial Bonsmara cows with Red Poll Stud bulls to see if I could achieve my goals.
Unfortunately, I found that too many of my Red Poll/Bonsamara crosses had a fairly woolly coat and were carrying too many ticks as a result. I was ready to give up but Basil Butler invited me to visit him and take a look at the Senepol cattle which he had brought in from Zimbabwe.
I quickly realised that these cattle had all the attributes I was looking for as well as exceptional heat tolerance and great quality beef. I purchased two Stud Bulls and started breeding up appendix animals, mostly out of my Bonsmara/Red poll crosses. I have also purchased several appendix and stud animals and I am very satisfied with the results.
At last I have found my ideal cattle!
View Photos.