The Afrikaner: ’new’ hero breed in Namibia

The demand for Afrikaner cattle in Namibia has recently increased to such an extent that demand for this hardy, adaptable local breed far exceeds supply. Annelie Coleman spoke to Afrikaner breeders in that country to discover the reasons behind this spike in popularity.

Indigenous to Southern Africa, the Afrikaner cattle breed was instrumental in the development of commercial beef production in Namibia.

The breed reached that country in the late 1800s and early 1900s from South Africa, and proved highly adaptable to arid desert conditions, extreme heat, tropical diseases and both internal and external parasites.

The ancestors of the breed crossed into Africa from Aden (the capital of today’s Yemen) and gradually migrated southwards, with only the best-adapted animals finally reaching Southern Africa.

Foundation Stock

In the early days of commercial cattle farming in the region, the Afrikaner was the most popular breed, and contributed its genetics to many synthetic breeds.

It was initially dual-purpose (kept for milk and meat production) and also used as a draught animal.

In 1896, the rinderpest almost exterminated the breed in Southern Africa. As a result, various breeds were imported, mainly from Britain and Europe, to build up the region’s depleted cattle numbers. This led to the development of composite breeds through crossbreeding, of which the Bonsmara (which is 5/8 Afrikaner) is probably the best known.

The past few years, however, have seen renewed interest in the hardy Afrikaner.

“It’s the breed for the future because of a shift in focus towards adaptability and productivity,” says Manie Blaauw, a fifth-generation Afrikaner producer on the farm Salztal in the ||Karas region of southern Namibia.

“It’s as competitive today as it was in its glory days, and we aim to see it regain its rightful place in Southern Africa’s beef cattle-breeding sector."

Winning Traits

Thanks to the relatively small birthweight of the calf (between 30kg and 35kg), Afrikaner cows seldom

The breed is highly fertile and long-lived. Productive cows of 18 years old are not uncommon. Afrikaner cows are excellent dams and highly protective of their calves. Despite this, they are even-tempered. The breed has outstanding walking hard hooves is important in Namibia, where cattle often have to traverse long distances between watering points and grazing areas because of the highly extensive farming conditions.

Afrikaners are indiscriminate grazers and often resort to browsing, a great advantage in times of drought.

Plasticity

The hardiness and plasticity of the breed is demonstrated by the fact it thrives in the semi-desert conditions of southern Namibia. Here, cattle are invariably part of mixed livestock concerns with mutton and lamb production.

Maximum temperatures in this region can exceed 40°C, yet the Afrikaner excels under these conditions, and with little shade, a clear indication that this is a true African beef breed.

The cattle are kept mostly on the veld without additional feed, except for the normal winter and summer licks.

With the effects of climate change increasing, the Afrikaner’s unparalleled resistance to extreme temperatures, relatively low water intake and high milk production, even under adverse conditions, are expected to be valued more and more.

“The majority of the Afrikaner’s genomics are geared towards adaptability. This makes it possible for the breed to excel under strenuous production conditions,” says Prof Michiel Scholtz, specialist researcher, animal breeding, genetics and animal production at the South African Agricultural Research Council.

“This makes the breed one of the most obvious choices for sustainable and profitable beef production from the veld.“

Declining Popularity

Despite all these attributes, Afrikaner numbers in Namibia nonetheless declined sharply in the past. Blaauw ascribes this to the feedlot industry’s discrimination against indigenous breeds, such as the Afrikaner and the Nguni, preferring a weaner that did not fatten up rapidly.

An Afrikaner weaner builds up condition in a relatively short time, while the cows regain condition quickly, even during times of drought. According to Hilmar von Lieres, spokesperson of the Afrikaner Cattle Namibia Breeders’ Group, the breed regained its popularity during and after the multiyear drought that ravaged the country a few years ago. Since then, demand for Afrikaner cows and heifers has

Fast Facts

The Afrikaner is regaining its popularity in Namibia due to the breed’s outstanding ability to excel under severe climatic conditions.

The breed’s plasticity, and the fact that it has adapted so well to these harsh conditions, make it ideal for beef production that can remain sustainable despite the challenges posed by climate change.

The Afrikaner’s fertility and production efficiency under taxing climatic conditions can hardly be beaten.

grown markedly and breeders have struggled to meet the demand.

“The Afrikaner is a low-input animal with good-quality beef. Herein lies the real value of the breed,” he says.

“It offers superb business opportunities for the extensive beef farmer. Its ability to reach, exploit and convert all available veld into top-quality beef has become invaluable during the drought that has assailed Namibia.

“The breed’s qualities also minimise the need for supplementary feed, even during tough times.

“Namibian beef producers have become increasingly aware of the breed’s competitive advantage. We also regularly receive enquiries from Botswana about the availability of Afrikaner cattle for sale.”

Oxen Production

The Afrikaner cow’s production efficiency ensures that a calf is born every year even under adverse climatic conditions. The cow is also unrivalled in terms of weaner output, reliably raising a strong and healthy calf.

The breed’s distinctive attributes make it the ideal option for slaughter oxen production.

Oxen are backgrounded on the veld with the minimum of supplements, which cuts down on input costs.

Because of Namibia’s extensive farming conditions, a medium-framed animal is preferred to the heavierframed animals found in South Africa.

The Namibian Afrikaner has to be able to maintain itself on lowerquality grazing than that found in South Africa, hence the value of a medium-framed animal. The animals must be able to convert grazing into sufficient energy to maintain high production and growth levels.

Afrikaner breeder Eric Hamman, who farms between Windhoek and brought the first 60 cows and a bull to Namibia. The animals were purchased from the Geldenhuys stud near Kroonstad in the Free State, South Africa.

Of the original 60 cows, 10 were sold and the rest formed the nucleus of the Hamman herd.

“Afrikaner crosses are known for ease of calving and high milk production,” says Hamman.

“The breed’s relatively low birthweight, coupled with its high growth rate, make for no-nonsense cattle that can look after themselves on the veld.

This will influence the breeds that beef cattle producers choose for their operations, as these animals will need to thrive under harsh conditions.

With its intrinsic traits honed over the centuries to cope with the demands of a harsh region, Blaauw says the Afrikaner fits the bill perfectly as an outstanding breed to take beef production in Namibia forward.

Email Hilmar von Lieres at hvonlieres@oldmutual.com, or phone Manie Blaauw via WhatsApp on +264 81 608 7806. FW