Bonsmara
The Benchmark Breed
The only beef breed in the world created through a well documented crossbreeding programme with the aid of objectively recorded performance data. Visual evaluation according to norms for functional efficiency are also strictly applied.
The Bonsmara is a cross breed of cattle known for its high quality beef. Originating in South Africa as a scientific experiment of professor Jan Bonsma, the Bonsmara was created after many criss-cross matings consisting of 5/8 Afrikaner, 3/16 Hereford and 3/16 Shorthorn animals
No other individual has contributed so much to cattle breeding as professor Jan Bonsma, the father of the Bonsmara breed. The outcome of this scientific experiment is a cattle breed that incorporates the hardy Afrikaner, crossed with a European breed (Hereford x Shorthorn), called Bonsmara (from Bonsma and the research station Mara).
Any breed can survive and produce under ideal conditions. It is only when drought strikes and fertility and growth is influenced that an animal is put under pressure. With our typical African climate, parasite-related illnesses and diseases are another risk for cattle farmers. The Bonsmara was bred to excel even under these harsh conditions and rough climates
The Bonsmara is a cross breed of cattle known for its high quality beef. Originating in South Africa as a scientific experiment of professor Jan Bonsma, the Bonsmara was created after many criss-cross matings consisting of 5/8 Afrikaner, 3/16 Hereford and 3/16 Shorthorn animals
No other individual has contributed so much to cattle breeding as professor Jan Bonsma, the father of the Bonsmara breed. The outcome of this scientific experiment is a cattle breed that incorporates the hardy Afrikaner, crossed with a European breed (Hereford x Shorthorn), called Bonsmara (from Bonsma and the research station Mara).
Any breed can survive and produce under ideal conditions. It is only when drought strikes and fertility and growth is influenced that an animal is put under pressure. With our typical African climate, parasite-related illnesses and diseases are another risk for cattle farmers. The Bonsmara was bred to excel even under these harsh conditions and rough climates
Strict selection for economical factors such as fertility, milk production, growth and adaptability are still applied and are a contributing factor to the reality that Bonsmara proudly succeeded in becoming the strongest and most professional administrated beef breed in South Africa in less than 25 years. Bonsmara, the most prominent of beef cattle in South Africa
Bonsmara's unique composition combined with decades worth of careful and purposeful selection, is giving the breed a firm foothold.
African cattle breeds are well adapted, hardy and can survive with very few inputs, but their reproduction, production ability and the meat they carry often fall short. This is where the Bonsmara, with its large variety of types within the breed, can improve those herds.
Bonsmara's unique composition combined with decades worth of careful and purposeful selection, is giving the breed a firm foothold.
African cattle breeds are well adapted, hardy and can survive with very few inputs, but their reproduction, production ability and the meat they carry often fall short. This is where the Bonsmara, with its large variety of types within the breed, can improve those herds.
Characteristics
Good adaptability on the veld
• For more cost effective production off the veld. Bonsmara was the first breed to inspect cattle
with their production records. All Bonsmara cattle are inspected at breeding age and any not
showing good veld adaptability, are rejected.
Well adapted Bonsmara animals can be identified by the following:
• Smooth coated in summer;
• well pigmented eyes, udders and hooves;
• strong constitution and
• sound feet and legs
Good mothering ability
• As a result of intensive selection, calves are produced off the veld at very low cost.
Important mothering abilities:
• Early puberty - Bonsmara grow fast, mature early and breed at 12 - 18 months of age.
• Ease of calving – Bonsmara are known for their ease of calving, which is also of value in
crossbreeding.
• Superior fertility – This important trait is maintained by strict selection standards.
• Good milking ability – Due to this factor, high weaning masses are attained.
• Low mortality – Calves are highly resistant to tick-borne diseases.
Good growth under intensive and extensive conditions
Good carcass
• Bonsmaras round off very well (in feedlots and on the veld) with best grades at a young age.
Disposition (temperament)
• Bonsmara are docile animals, easy to handle and as a result require less labour.
Crossbreeding
• Bonsmara plays an important role in any crossbreeding programme.
• For more cost effective production off the veld. Bonsmara was the first breed to inspect cattle
with their production records. All Bonsmara cattle are inspected at breeding age and any not
showing good veld adaptability, are rejected.
Well adapted Bonsmara animals can be identified by the following:
• Smooth coated in summer;
• well pigmented eyes, udders and hooves;
• strong constitution and
• sound feet and legs
Good mothering ability
• As a result of intensive selection, calves are produced off the veld at very low cost.
Important mothering abilities:
• Early puberty - Bonsmara grow fast, mature early and breed at 12 - 18 months of age.
• Ease of calving – Bonsmara are known for their ease of calving, which is also of value in
crossbreeding.
• Superior fertility – This important trait is maintained by strict selection standards.
• Good milking ability – Due to this factor, high weaning masses are attained.
• Low mortality – Calves are highly resistant to tick-borne diseases.
Good growth under intensive and extensive conditions
Good carcass
• Bonsmaras round off very well (in feedlots and on the veld) with best grades at a young age.
Disposition (temperament)
• Bonsmara are docile animals, easy to handle and as a result require less labour.
Crossbreeding
• Bonsmara plays an important role in any crossbreeding programme.
The Bonsmara System
The Bonsmara system is unique and the strict implementation thereof with a competent staff component contributes largely to the position of the breed in the beef industry.
The System relies on four factors:
Genetic material – a large gene pool;
Efficient machinery – to select the best genetic material;
Competent marketing – for efficient marketing strategy;
Dedicated manpower – coordinating all aspects of breeding.
The System relies on four factors:
Genetic material – a large gene pool;
Efficient machinery – to select the best genetic material;
Competent marketing – for efficient marketing strategy;
Dedicated manpower – coordinating all aspects of breeding.
Genomic Breeding
This is exactly what Bonsmara SA and all its breeders are achieving. For the first time in Africa, through the use of the latest beef science technology - genomic breeding values - we are not only improving the quality of our stud animals, but we are delivering a better product to the commercial breeder to help them increase their profits.
The Bonsmara breed has taken the lead with the release of the very first Genomic BLUP breeding values for beef cattle in Africa.
By including the genomic profiles of females with a significant influence in the breed, sex-limited traits, only measurable on females, could be linked more accurately to the genomic differences among animals in the breed.
The Bonsmara breed has taken the lead with the release of the very first Genomic BLUP breeding values for beef cattle in Africa.
By including the genomic profiles of females with a significant influence in the breed, sex-limited traits, only measurable on females, could be linked more accurately to the genomic differences among animals in the breed.
50 Reasons why you should breed with Bonsmara
- Red Cattle
- Good Adaptability
- Tick Resistance
- Ideal Mother Breed for Commercial Farmers
- Good Re-conception
- Old Cows Marketable off the Veld
- Cows Thrive off the Veld
- Excellent Beef Quality
- Fat Deposition
- Performance under Intensive and Extensive conditions
- Good Feed Conversion
- Early Maturity
- Ease of Calving
- Fertile Cows
- Longevity
- Good Milking Production
- Good Temperament
- Ideal Carcass Size
- Superior Cow Efficiency
- Ideal Breed for Beginners
- Minimum Breed Standards
- Credible Performance Testing
- Estimated Breeding Values
- Large Database
- Comprehensive Auction Catalogue
- Computer Improved Accessibility
- Independent Inspectors
- Society and Council Function Effectively
- Animals Screened for Auctions
- Broad Minded Society
- Nation - wide Club Structure
- Trained Breeders
- Enthusiastic Breeders
- Unity amongst Breeders
- Breeders with Integrity
- International Society
- Commercial Breeders
- Data Available through Research
- Auction under the Bonsmara Society Auspices
- Reasonable Prices
- Large Herds, More Effective Selection
- Many Phase C and D Bulls
- Many Phase B and Field Tests
- Excellent Communication between Breeders and Society
- Information Days
- Modern Synthetic Breed
- Brand Marked Beef
- Breeders Widely Distributed
- Proudly South African
Breeding Actions
- Livestock workers are trained to observe and evaluate bulls' serving ability and capacity
- Livestock workers are trained to observe and are equipped to keep record of cows mated
- Livestock workers are trained to observe udders of cows on a daily basis to confirm whether calves are feeding and healthy
- Livestock handlers are trained to conduct and report the body condition scores of cows at the end of the breeding season
- Group and closely manage heifers during their first breeding season
- Weigh calves at 100 days of age to evaluate growth rate and administer the first vaccination against clostridial diseases and deworming against round and tapeworms
International
Bonsmara cattle have been present in Brazil for the last 15 years, and in the meanwhile the genetics have also spread to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia. In addition, there are sizable Bonsmara herds in both Australia and the United States.
Africa
Namibia:
In its almost 40 years in Namibia, the Bonsmara has become the second largest cattle breed (numerically) in the country, showing the most rapid growth over the last decade.
Zambia:
The first registered Bonsmaras were imported to Zambia by the Mulders family in 1994, and the Alexswill Bonsmara stud was established near Kalomo. Over the years, the breeding objective was to breed fertile, medium-framed animals that can make a positive contribution to the beef industry in Zambia
Mozambique:
Bonsmara can adapt and thrive anywhere in Africa. Experienced farmers recommend that they only move freshly weaned heifers weighing up to as little as 180kg.
Nosa Bonsmara stud and a commercial herd of purebred Bonsmaras. In his view there is enough variation within the Bonsmara breed, making crossbreeding unnecessary. When comparing the calves of their purebred animals to crossbred calves under the same conditions, the Bonsmara perform well.
In its almost 40 years in Namibia, the Bonsmara has become the second largest cattle breed (numerically) in the country, showing the most rapid growth over the last decade.
Zambia:
The first registered Bonsmaras were imported to Zambia by the Mulders family in 1994, and the Alexswill Bonsmara stud was established near Kalomo. Over the years, the breeding objective was to breed fertile, medium-framed animals that can make a positive contribution to the beef industry in Zambia
Mozambique:
Bonsmara can adapt and thrive anywhere in Africa. Experienced farmers recommend that they only move freshly weaned heifers weighing up to as little as 180kg.
Nosa Bonsmara stud and a commercial herd of purebred Bonsmaras. In his view there is enough variation within the Bonsmara breed, making crossbreeding unnecessary. When comparing the calves of their purebred animals to crossbred calves under the same conditions, the Bonsmara perform well.
Bonsmara is the first and only cattle breed that qualifies to be registered as Proudly South African for the top quality product continually produced
Photos courtesy of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa
Photos courtesy of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa