Nguni cattle breeding has been around for more than 8 000 years. Yes, that’s right, and it is the preferred breed for various reasons. These cattle with their distinct horn shapes and hide patterns are very hardy, and extremely temperature tolerant.
Ngunis also offer reproductive ease and parasite resistance, have quality carcasses, provide even distribution of fat, and are excellent foragers.
In this episode, Nguni cattle breeder Phakade Khanyile from Mpumalanga shares advice for breeders looking to improve their cattle herd. He also shares tips on disease resistance, fertility, and the adaptability of these cattle to different environments.
Province-specific challenges
“South Africa is a very diverse country ecologically. So, a farmer in the Karoo would have a very different set of challenges than a farmer in the Highveld of Mpumalanga, versus a farmer in the Free State or the North West,” says Khanyile.
Khanyile further delves into the topic of cross-breeding, what the current debate in Mzansi is, and his personal preference as a producer. According to Khanyile, education is a key component when it comes to farming, especially for the development of farmers to continue with the best breeding practices.
The Nguni breed, he adds, can bring financial stability to a farmer’s farming practice. It is, however, important to source the information from reliable and trustworthy sources.
In this episode, he also discusses:
- Nguni cattle record-keeping;
- Challenges faced by Nguni cattle breeders;
- Techniques for new farmers to adopt and more.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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Option 3: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
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