Access to the latest information and the opportunuity to compare with peers are both crucial for the cattle breeder. This is what the Simmentaler/Simbra Hoogland Study Group aims to achieve for its members with its annual Young Bull Day. Organiser Rick Dell spoke to Annelie Coleman.
The Simmentaler/ Simbra Hoogland Study Group’s Young Bull Day was held on the farm Ashtonvale near Bethlehem this year, and a total of 67 Simbras and 42 Simmentalers took part.
One Simbra breeder, Hendrik Grobbelaar, travelled from Tosca in North West, more than 600km away, to attend the event.
According to organiser Rick Dell, the bulls were between one and two years old and competed in four classes divided into the quarters of the year.
The Young Bull Day creates an opportunity for breeders to show animals without the high costs associated with conventional showing, he says. “We provided for both halter-tame animals and animals from the veld in a ring similar to an auction ring.”
The bulls were evaluated by three of South Africa’s most experienced interbreed cattle judges: Fred Dell, Martin Seyfferdt and Marius Barkhuizen. Between them, they have more than 70 years’ experience as adjudicators.
STRUCTURAL CORRECTNESS
According to Seyfferdt, the animals were assessed on structural correctness. A top bull, he stresses, needs to be strong and masculine, with good length and depth. Strong hindquarters and a well-balanced back and loins are also essential.
As some of the bulls were brought to the show directly from the veld, the judges did not take physical condition into account. Judging of young bulls does not differ much from that of older bulls, although bulls can change between the age of, say, 15 months and two-and-a-half years. Pigmentation, testes and mouths, however, remain the same.
“We were, by and large, impressed with the quality of bulls presented at the Young Bull Day. However, we did pick up a few problems pertaining to masculinity and hocks here and there,” says Seyfferdt.
BREED WITH A SPECIFIC GOAL IN MIND
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 29, 2019 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 29, 2019 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.