Lessons on the importance of general herd management

Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the true value of effectively managing a Bonsmara herd in order to maximise profit.

- Annelie Coleman

In the past year, there has been quite a significant increase in interest among producers in joining the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders' Society of South Africa, particularly from commercial and up-and-coming farmers, says Louis Steyl, CEO of the society. However, even though the interest and financial power are there, the lack of understanding of basic herd management is the first stumbling block that farmers often face, he adds. And while some of them might have an understanding of the concept of the Bonsmara System, they don't all seem to understand the importance and benefit of its use. Here, Steyl explores these basic principles, and why all cattle breeders should adhere to them.

FROM CALF TO PRODUCTION

The collection of data and record-keeping are the cornerstones of your understanding of the direction your farming enterprise is headed. The data can be used to predict what will happen with your herd in the near future. It can also be converted into scientific estimated production values, which gives you the ability to calculate the production and genetic potential of your entire herd, and that of each individual animal in it.

The Bonsmara System was designed to simplify recordkeeping and collect only necessary data beneficial to the farmer, aiding in the establishment of the production and genetic potential of their cattle. The sequence of recordkeeping or data collection is done in a way that allows for the farmer to know more or less where their herd stands within the norms and standards of the Bonsmara society.

While herd management encompasses a broad spectrum of record-keeping, here we'll examine the record-keeping of a cow from birth until the production stage.