![Not easy to get best of both worlds farming in communal areas](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1705048036/articles/AsxVtFbFF1705055323626/NOT-EASY-TO-GET-BEST-OF-BOTH-WORLDS-FARMING-IN-COMMUNAL-AREAS.jpg)
Many communal farmers have experienced marketing-related challenges because of the type of cattle being farmed in communal areas. While it is understood that Nguni cattle descend from a combination of Zebu and humpless (Bos Taurus type) cattle from East Africa, they are widely regarded as Bos Indicus cattle and so too are cattle such as Brahmans. Ngunis are widely found in communal farming areas, as are Brahman crosses.
Generally, Bos Indicus cattle originate from Zebu breeds and they are distinguished from “beef” or Bos Taurus breeds in the following way:
They have longer and thinner heads. Indicus cattle usually have humps. They can handle tropical, hot and humid climates better. They have less subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin) and less marbling or fat in the muscles, but this isn’t necessarily a good trait when it comes to marketing.
They have a less rounded carcass shape and smaller muscling than Bos Taurus, also not a particularly good trait.
They originate mostly from Africa and India while Bos Taurus are largely European breeds.
They have a looser skin and prominent dewlap on the neck area.
Esta historia es de la edición Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![Western Cape pet owners urged to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/jXEPZlTV21718283896674/WESTERN-CAPE-PET-OWNERS-URGED-TO-VACCINATE-DOGS-AND-CATS-AGAINST-RABIES.jpg)
Western Cape pet owners urged to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is urging people to vaccinate their animals against rabies after a confirmed case in Cape Town.
![Concerns arise over potential Irish potato shortage](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/wnjTOJhA91718283775116/CONCERNS-ARISE-OVER-POTENTIAL-IRISH-POTATO-SHORTAGE.jpg)
Concerns arise over potential Irish potato shortage
Consumers may soon experience a shortage of Irish potatoes, leading to potentially higher prices.
![Industry players debate call to extend tariff rebates for imported chicken](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/5S1UtME2l1718283651614/INDUSTRY-PLAYERS-DEBATE-CALL-TO-EXTEND-TARIFF-REBATES-FOR-IMPORTED-CHICKEN.jpg)
Industry players debate call to extend tariff rebates for imported chicken
The debate over extending tariff rebates on chicken imported into South Africa continues as industry players argue over market dynamics and food affordability.
![Wildlife income dives as minister stays mum on hunting quotas](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KDMSL30cG1718283548896/WILDLIFE-INCOME-DIVES-AS-MINISTER-STAYS-MUM-ON-HUNTING-QUOTAS.jpg)
Wildlife income dives as minister stays mum on hunting quotas
The South African wildlife industry faces an uncertain future in light of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's delay in publishing this year's annual hunting quota.
![Four apps to improve productivity and more](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KctY9iNFD1718283108297/FOUR-APPS-TO-IMPROVE-PRODUCTIVITY-AND-MORE.jpg)
Four apps to improve productivity and more
There are a range of apps available on the South African market to help farmers improve efficiency and production. We explore four of them here.
![Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/z8K_yQE161718282735879/FUN-GAMES-AND-ANCIENT-RITES-ON-BOARD-THE-GREATEST-OCEAN-LINER-STILL-IN-SERVICE.jpg)
Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service
With King Neptune’s permission, pollywog Brian Berkman crossed the equator on board the Queen Mary 2 and is now a proud shellback. He gives the lowdown on the variety of pursuits avaliable on this luxurious ship.
![Choosing the right nitrogen type](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/8DJIKAdFp1718282592417/CHOOSING-THE-RIGHT-NITROGEN-TYPE.jpg)
Choosing the right nitrogen type
Various nitrogenous fertilisers are available. Your choice will depend on environmental considerations, cost, availability, and so on, writes Bill Kerr.
![Hydrogen: a vehicle emissions reduction alternative?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/zoKf4T1Bm1718282314991/HYDROGEN-A-VEHICLE-EMISSIONS-REDUCTION-ALTERNATIVE.jpg)
Hydrogen: a vehicle emissions reduction alternative?
The current narrative around vehicle electrification typically covers battery cost, raw materials, weight, driving range, or charging infrastructure – all battery electric vehicle issues. There is rarely any discussion around the use of hydrogen as an alternative means of achieving vehicle emission targets. Why this apparent lack of interest?
![Cotton industry comes together to forge a new future](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/1iXZt3RV51718281800328/COTTON-INDUSTRY-COMES-TOGETHER-TO-FORGE-A-NEW-FUTURE.jpg)
Cotton industry comes together to forge a new future
A strategic cotton summit held recently in Limpopo was an important step towards creating unity in the industry and a common goal throughout the entire cotton value chain.
![Understanding the basics of chicken abattoirs and related legislation](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KxZDKmUbj1718281629541/UNDERSTANDING-THE-BASICS-OF-CHICKEN-ABATTOIRS-AND-RELATED-LEGISLATION.jpg)
Understanding the basics of chicken abattoirs and related legislation
South Africa has strict laws that regulate the slaughtering of animals in commercial abattoirs. In this article, Farmer's Weekly looks at how a chicken abattoir works, what facilities are needed and what the laws are that govern the establishment and operation of such abattoirs.