Zebu type (Bos indicus) cattle breed that originated from Ethiopia and Kenya. Looks like the Brahman with a high neck hump and loose skin in the dewlap, but is much shorter.
Breed traits
- Growth – Fast growth and weaning weights up to 50% of dam mature weight
- Adaptation – poor nutrition, heat and stress tolerance
- Calving ease – small calf born (25-28kg) but grows very fast Docility- quite, docile and easy to handle
- Crossbreeding – the Boran Favours crossbreeding systems with Bos Taurus breeds on the farm.
Zebu type (Bos indicus) cattle breed that originated from India; predominantly grey and red in clour with high neck humps, large drooping ears and loose skin in the throat and dewlap. Most popular breed for commercial systems in Zimbabwe used as a base for many composite breed.
Breed traits(+)
- Growth- fast growth comparable weaning weights.
- Adaptation- moderate to poor nutrition, insect and heat tolerant (sweat glands)
- Crossbreeding – maximum hybrid vigour when crossed with Bos Taurus breeds; imparts growth, gain and heart tolerance.
Breed traits(-)
- Maturity- Late maturing
- Disposition- Poor disposition, not docile; strong “maternal instincts”
Zimbabwean Sanga (Bos Taurus) breed developed through selective breeding from local Tswana cattle in the 1940s. Also called “Zimbabwe’s own breed” or Golden yellow cattle
Breed traits(+) Fertility- early maturing, high conception, calving and wearing rates Docility- ease to handle and work with Good beef conformation and meat quality Hardiness and tick resistance Crossbreeding- used as dam line in many crossbreeding systems
Breed traits(+)
- Fertility- early maturing, high conception, calving and wearing rates
- Docility- ease to handle and work with Good beef conformation and meat quality Hardiness and tick resistance
- Crossbreeding- used as dam line in many crossbreeding systems
Breed traits (-)
- Medium sized breed
Zimbabwean Sanga cattle (Bos tuurus africanus) breed; usually red or black in colour
Breed traits(+)
- Hardiness- tolerant to heat stress, diseases and poor nutrition
- Excellent fertility- early maturing, high calving and weaning rates
- Good cow productivity-kg of calf per cow mass or per ha
- Docile temperament allows easy handling
- Minimal calving difficulties
- Low maintenance requirements and good grazers
Breed traits (-)
- Moderate mature size –cows 430kg; bull 610 kg
- Moderate growth and gain in the feedlot
Dual-purpose (Bos Taurus) breed from Continental Europe (Switzerland) Large breed; cows 700-900 kg and bull 1,300kg
Breed traits(+)
- High meat yield- long straight top line with deeply muscled back add loin
- Growth- rapid growth and development; high rate of gain
- Maternal breed- good mothering ability, high weaning weights
- Docility-ease to handle and manage
Breed traits (-)
- Adaption –not well adapted to hot, humid climates
- Size- large size may not be supported on forage diet
A composite breed developed in the USA from crossing Herford, Shorthorn and Brahman breeds. There is no colour standard, but are predominantly red brownish red.
Breed traits (+)
- Excels in fertility and weaning weights, docility and longevity
- Growth and size- fast growth and high feedlot gains in feedlot
- Feed efficient: require less feed per unit body weight gain
- High carcass yields
- Deposition- mild nervous disposition, easy handling
- Hardiness- heat tolerant
A composite breed developed in the USA from crossing the two most populous breeds: Simmental and Brahman come in various colours, usually red with a bit of white on the face. Slight hump above the neck and slightly larger ears than European breeds
Breed Traits (+)
- High fertility and early maturing
- Cows are fertile, good mothers, and wean heavy calves
- Hardy and well adapted to Southern African condition
- A good grazer- can walk long distances to forage
- Produces lean high quality beef
- Fairly docile and ease to handle
Composite breed from Charolais x Brahman- it combines the hardness and tick resistance of the Brahman with the leanness and docility of the Charolais
Breed traits(+)
- Lower birth weight and good weight gains (0.8-1 kg per day)
- Good feedlot gains (up to 2.2kg/day) and good carcass cut-out values
- Coat colour- Light colour is good for heat management
- Hardiness and tick resistance
- Good to use in crossbreeding systems as sire line to yield good carcass weights and quality meat.
Breed Traits (-)
- Size – very large, high birth weights- don’t breed to heifers
- Forage based deit may not sustain full growth potential
- Colour – light colour may lead to higher incidence of pink eye.
A composite breed developed in South Africa by crossing Afrikaner and Hereford or Shorthorn Breeds
Breed Traits (+)
- Growth, good fertility in bulls and cows , and functional efficiency
- Adapted to sub-tropical climates
- Calving ease due to low birth-weight calves
- Good milking ability for higher weaning weights
- Produce high quality meat
- Calm temperament and easy handling
- Suitable for use in both pure breeding and cross breeding systems.