The genetically unique Senepol: ideal for beef production in Southern Africa

Since its arrival in South Africa in 2001, the Senepol has become a strong contender in the country's beef cattle arena. Tiekie Muller, owner of the Nooitgedacht Senepol stud, spoke to Annelie Coleman about how the growing number of Senepol stud breeders underpins the value of the breed under exacting African conditions.

- Annelie Coleman

Tiekie and Heleen Muller farm on the banks of the Vaal River near Bloemhof, on the Free State side. He runs a stud comprised of four bulls, 110 cows, and 35 heifers, and maintains an intercalving period of between 380 and 450 days. He also manages a 350-strong commercial herd, of which 200 of the cows belong to his son, NP. Muller considers the medium-framed Senepol as the beef cattle breed of the future because of its popular solid-red colour and the fact that it is naturally polled, among other factors.

“The Senepol is an easy breed to work with because of its even temperament. The bulls’ fine, neat, and polled heads attracted me to the breed from the first time I laid my eyes on one. I strictly select for bulls with fine, masculine, and neat heads,” he says.

BOS TAURUS

According to Muller, the Senepol, being genetically composed of a unique Bos taurus blend developed in isolation, has resulted in the ideal breed for crossbreeding due to their strong heredity factor. Between 80% and 100% of Senepol-cross calves are polled and will show the typical Senepol characteristics.

Muller explains that the Senepol-cross offspring always retain the typically uniform red colour of the Senepol, irrespective of the other breed it is crossed with. According to him, this is an added bonus as the majority of beef cattle buyers in the country prefer uniform red cattle, which markedly pushes up the demand for such animals.

“Due to the fact that the Senepol is a fixed breed with genetics unrelated to other breeds, they quickly influence other breeds through heterosis. The fact that the Senepol remained a true B. taurus makes it a valuable asset in the commercial beef cattle production industry,” he adds.