Nguni
The Pride of Africa
This is one of the few breeds from the African continent. It has it roots firmly engraved in the history and timeline of this traditional region.
I stopped next to the road in rural KwaZulu-Natal to admire some Nguni cattle grazing next to the road. As my eyes feasted on the beautiful shapes and colours, I noticed a wizened old man leaning on a stick, also gazing at the cattle. It was a timeless moment when I asked him where these cattle come from. With a far-offlook in his eyes and he nodded and slowly said: “These cattle have always been here”. - an extract (courtesy of Chris van der Merwe)
I stopped next to the road in rural KwaZulu-Natal to admire some Nguni cattle grazing next to the road. As my eyes feasted on the beautiful shapes and colours, I noticed a wizened old man leaning on a stick, also gazing at the cattle. It was a timeless moment when I asked him where these cattle come from. With a far-offlook in his eyes and he nodded and slowly said: “These cattle have always been here”. - an extract (courtesy of Chris van der Merwe)
History
I have copied this section of information from an Article by Chris van der Merwe of ZZZ Nguni Stud in Bethal, South Africa. I have placed it here, word for word, as it is a true reflection. The link to this article is: http://nguni.info/nguni_cattle_southern_africa.htm
And so it seems with the Nguni cattle breed – that it has always been with us: for as long as there were people in Africa, their lives have been intrinsically tied to their cattle. DNA evidence suggests that the Nguni descends from both Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus cattle and drawings and hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt show the multicoloured cattle with their lyre-shaped horns. One can imagine the cattle from Europe and the East being funnelled into Africa through the narrow bridge of land at Egypt, and the fusion of genetics that formed the foundation of the African cattle breed.
Archaeologists date these Egyptian pictures to around 8000 years ago; since then, man’s unquenchable appetite for more land and open spaces drove him relentlessly southwards across the African continent. Africa must have had a great deal to offer ancient cattlemen, but the move also brought everything else that Africa could offer in terms of harsh weather conditions and disease. Drought and erratic rainfall took their toll and the fast-growing, high-fibre grazing offered poor nutrition in the dry months. Food shortages and heat caused stunted growth and appetite loss and reduced fertility. The various diseases that Africa boasts, some wide-spread and others specific to certain regions, some carried by insects and predators, all provided a natural selection gauntlet for these cattle to overcome.
These cattle not only overcame, but the ones who got the genetic nod thrived under the African sun. Cattle became symbolic of man’s wealth and status and, as ancient man trekked south into Africa, his life, culture, language and entire existence revolved around and depended on his cattle.
This symbiotic pastoral and nomadic lifestyle brought the Nguni cattle to the banks of the Limpopo River around 2000 years ago. As the tribes split up to settle in different areas, distinctive cattle ecotypes developed, but they are still collectively known as the Nguni – the same name attributed to the tribes identified by this collective name.
Today we refer loosely to ecotypes such as Pedi, Swazi, Gazankulu and Makatini and, whilst the environment shaped these animals into these ecotypes, we can surmise what role their owners played in the selection process. As they are a measure of wealth, very few were slaughtered; when necessary, only the old or infertile animals, or those with obvious shortcomings, were slaughtered.
Prior to Chaka’s reign and mfecane, animals were kept close to the pastoral household and a certain amount of inbreeding occurred, deleting poor genetics and favouring early maturing animals. Chaka realised the importance of cattle for the survival of his ideals and for the first time in recorded history, we see major interference in the genetic selection of the Nguni cattle. He grouped animals of the same colour and linked these herds to his Impis, giving them a source of wealth and food supply, and – above all – identity. The war veterans, his most famous regiment, were identified by white shields from a herd of white cattle that was believed to breed white offspring.
When Europeans started entering Southern Africa in significant numbers during the mid to late 1800s, they considered the local cattle inferior to their own cattle and started importing mostly European cattle into South Africa. These animals required intensive husbandry; ironically, the added attention showed in their generally better condition compared with the Nguni cattle found in the tribal areas, where cattle was kept under extensive farming conditions.
The better appearance of the exotic breeds did not go unnoticed by the local cattle owners and soon crossbreeding with European breeds started to dilute the pure genetics of the Nguni cattle. Although the exotic breeds appeared superior and more productive than the Nguni cattle, they were more prone to disease and required more intensive inputs. The perception of inferiority of indigenous breeds caused acts and policies to be promulgated and introduced which classified indigenous cattle as commonplace and not worthy of existence. Cattle inspectors had the authority to castrate bulls and the government introduced exotic bulls into the communal farming areas, supposedly to enhance the abilities of the indigenous cattle.
These practices and policies had a negative effect on the purity of the genetics of the Nguni breed and represent a lamentable period in the history of the breed.
Thanks to individuals like the late Professor Curzon, some true-to-type Nguni cattle survived this genetic dilution. He started a pure Nguni herd in 1932, in an effort to breed true-to-type Nguni cattle, which resulted in the formation of the Bartlow Combine breeding station in the late 1940s. This herd played an enormous role in the preservation of pure Nguni genetics as it provided the foundation stock for many of today’s Nguni studs.
It soon became apparent that European cattle breeds did not thrive under the African sun, which showed in their poor reproductive qualities and a general decline in functionality. The failure of the exotic breeds caused a new appreciation for the indigenous cattle.
The Department of Agriculture appointed a committee in 1947 to investigate the preservation of the country’s indigenous livestock, which resulted in the Bonsma report of 1950, in which the appreciation of this adapted breed was highlighted. Final recognition came in 1985 when the Nguni Cattle Breeders Society was accepted as a member of the South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association.
Whilst formal recognition of the breed was a momentous occasion in the history of the breed, the spectacular popularity of these cattle and the positive scientific evidence of its economic potential, finally ensured its continued existence as a pure breed. It is recognised today that the Nguni performs well under optimum farming conditions – when it is in harmony with its surroundings. This good performance under natural conditions is the legacy of its epic and extended trek through Africa.
The Nguni breed is positioned ideally today to capitalise on environmental, economic, political and consumer trends. The fact that it lives in harmony within its environment and is therefore more resistant to disease than other breeds, makes it less dependant on pharmaceutical inputs, which in turn has a positive influence on the environment and removes a significant input cost.
Economic cost of production, expressed in kilogram of meat produced against total cost, is low. This makes it ideal for government programs for establishing emerging farmers. As it is a smaller-framed animal and leaner than most other breeds, it is more attractive to the health conscious consumer, who prefers a smaller, less fatty, cut of meat.
Refined by time, its genetic code sifted by the harshness of the continent, the Nguni has earned its rightful place in the eyes of agricultural stakeholders, who now recognise its economic, social and cultural value. It is a symbol of the achievements of the ancient continent; it seems, some say, that the Nguni has always been here.
Published in Nguni Breeders Journal 2007
And so it seems with the Nguni cattle breed – that it has always been with us: for as long as there were people in Africa, their lives have been intrinsically tied to their cattle. DNA evidence suggests that the Nguni descends from both Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus cattle and drawings and hieroglyphics from ancient Egypt show the multicoloured cattle with their lyre-shaped horns. One can imagine the cattle from Europe and the East being funnelled into Africa through the narrow bridge of land at Egypt, and the fusion of genetics that formed the foundation of the African cattle breed.
Archaeologists date these Egyptian pictures to around 8000 years ago; since then, man’s unquenchable appetite for more land and open spaces drove him relentlessly southwards across the African continent. Africa must have had a great deal to offer ancient cattlemen, but the move also brought everything else that Africa could offer in terms of harsh weather conditions and disease. Drought and erratic rainfall took their toll and the fast-growing, high-fibre grazing offered poor nutrition in the dry months. Food shortages and heat caused stunted growth and appetite loss and reduced fertility. The various diseases that Africa boasts, some wide-spread and others specific to certain regions, some carried by insects and predators, all provided a natural selection gauntlet for these cattle to overcome.
These cattle not only overcame, but the ones who got the genetic nod thrived under the African sun. Cattle became symbolic of man’s wealth and status and, as ancient man trekked south into Africa, his life, culture, language and entire existence revolved around and depended on his cattle.
This symbiotic pastoral and nomadic lifestyle brought the Nguni cattle to the banks of the Limpopo River around 2000 years ago. As the tribes split up to settle in different areas, distinctive cattle ecotypes developed, but they are still collectively known as the Nguni – the same name attributed to the tribes identified by this collective name.
Today we refer loosely to ecotypes such as Pedi, Swazi, Gazankulu and Makatini and, whilst the environment shaped these animals into these ecotypes, we can surmise what role their owners played in the selection process. As they are a measure of wealth, very few were slaughtered; when necessary, only the old or infertile animals, or those with obvious shortcomings, were slaughtered.
Prior to Chaka’s reign and mfecane, animals were kept close to the pastoral household and a certain amount of inbreeding occurred, deleting poor genetics and favouring early maturing animals. Chaka realised the importance of cattle for the survival of his ideals and for the first time in recorded history, we see major interference in the genetic selection of the Nguni cattle. He grouped animals of the same colour and linked these herds to his Impis, giving them a source of wealth and food supply, and – above all – identity. The war veterans, his most famous regiment, were identified by white shields from a herd of white cattle that was believed to breed white offspring.
When Europeans started entering Southern Africa in significant numbers during the mid to late 1800s, they considered the local cattle inferior to their own cattle and started importing mostly European cattle into South Africa. These animals required intensive husbandry; ironically, the added attention showed in their generally better condition compared with the Nguni cattle found in the tribal areas, where cattle was kept under extensive farming conditions.
The better appearance of the exotic breeds did not go unnoticed by the local cattle owners and soon crossbreeding with European breeds started to dilute the pure genetics of the Nguni cattle. Although the exotic breeds appeared superior and more productive than the Nguni cattle, they were more prone to disease and required more intensive inputs. The perception of inferiority of indigenous breeds caused acts and policies to be promulgated and introduced which classified indigenous cattle as commonplace and not worthy of existence. Cattle inspectors had the authority to castrate bulls and the government introduced exotic bulls into the communal farming areas, supposedly to enhance the abilities of the indigenous cattle.
These practices and policies had a negative effect on the purity of the genetics of the Nguni breed and represent a lamentable period in the history of the breed.
Thanks to individuals like the late Professor Curzon, some true-to-type Nguni cattle survived this genetic dilution. He started a pure Nguni herd in 1932, in an effort to breed true-to-type Nguni cattle, which resulted in the formation of the Bartlow Combine breeding station in the late 1940s. This herd played an enormous role in the preservation of pure Nguni genetics as it provided the foundation stock for many of today’s Nguni studs.
It soon became apparent that European cattle breeds did not thrive under the African sun, which showed in their poor reproductive qualities and a general decline in functionality. The failure of the exotic breeds caused a new appreciation for the indigenous cattle.
The Department of Agriculture appointed a committee in 1947 to investigate the preservation of the country’s indigenous livestock, which resulted in the Bonsma report of 1950, in which the appreciation of this adapted breed was highlighted. Final recognition came in 1985 when the Nguni Cattle Breeders Society was accepted as a member of the South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association.
Whilst formal recognition of the breed was a momentous occasion in the history of the breed, the spectacular popularity of these cattle and the positive scientific evidence of its economic potential, finally ensured its continued existence as a pure breed. It is recognised today that the Nguni performs well under optimum farming conditions – when it is in harmony with its surroundings. This good performance under natural conditions is the legacy of its epic and extended trek through Africa.
The Nguni breed is positioned ideally today to capitalise on environmental, economic, political and consumer trends. The fact that it lives in harmony within its environment and is therefore more resistant to disease than other breeds, makes it less dependant on pharmaceutical inputs, which in turn has a positive influence on the environment and removes a significant input cost.
Economic cost of production, expressed in kilogram of meat produced against total cost, is low. This makes it ideal for government programs for establishing emerging farmers. As it is a smaller-framed animal and leaner than most other breeds, it is more attractive to the health conscious consumer, who prefers a smaller, less fatty, cut of meat.
Refined by time, its genetic code sifted by the harshness of the continent, the Nguni has earned its rightful place in the eyes of agricultural stakeholders, who now recognise its economic, social and cultural value. It is a symbol of the achievements of the ancient continent; it seems, some say, that the Nguni has always been here.
Published in Nguni Breeders Journal 2007
Standards
(Used by permission of the South African Nguni Breeders Association)
SIZE AND MASS
Bulls are of medium size weighing 500-800kg. The average shoulder height of Phase C bulls (±15 months) is ±120 cm.
Cows are smallish and weight 300 - 480 kg. Their body length is ±130 cm and height at shoulder ± 119 cm.
SHAPE AND PROPORTIONS
Nguni cattle should have a functionally efficient conformation. They are of respiratory type and exhibit harmonious proportions giving a neat appearance.
HEAD
The head is of medium size and length with lean fleshing and an alert appearance. The shape is not coffin shaped.
The jaws are deep.
The profile is longitudinally straight but slightly dished laterally.
The forehead is usually at least at long as the face and widest at the eyes’ orbital prominence.
The eyes are well-spaced, alert and the brows are not heavy or prominent. There should be good pigmentation around the eyes. Their apparent size varies between sexes, being prominent in females but not protruding in males.
The face is wide, decreasing only slightly to the muzzle.
Its profile is straight.
The nose is straight, strong and well-defined.
The muzzle is broad, strong and dark-pigmented.
The lower jaw is well-formed, but not too prominent or over / undershot.
Ears are small, pointed and covered with short, dark-coloured fine hair and no fringe. Their position is below and behind the horns.
Ngunis are predominantly horned, but occasionally naturally polled animals occur.
The poll width depends on the presence and placement of the horns being wider and rounder in bulls and animals with wide or no horns.
HORNS
Horns are crescent-shaped in bulls and characteristically lyre-shaped, thinner and longer in mature females. They are round in cross-section and dark, especially at the tips.
NECK AND DEWLAP
The neck is moderately long and well-attached to head and forequarters being lean in cows but shorter and fuller in bulls.
The dewlap is smaller than that of the Afrikaner commencing as a single fold between the lower jaw, tucked up below the throat and terminating between the forelegs.
HUMP
The hump is situated cervico-thoracically and is muscular in structure. The size and shape of the hump is reasonably well-developed in bulls especially after 3 years but in females is only evident in individual animals in good condition.
FOREQUARTERS
The withers are comparatively narrow and well-defined in females - heavier in males.
The shoulder is short and relatively upright.
The barrel of the chest is of the respiratory type with well sprung ribs.
The brisket is only slightly prominent.
The forearm is of moderate length, lightly muscled and fineboned.
The knee is small and round with dense bone.
Cannons are moderate in length, fetlocks small and pastern are short. All have fine, dense bone.
Pasterns are short and slightly sloped to upright. Feet are high-heeled, round shaped and hooves have dark dense horn close together in front but can be more open medially. Front feet are larger than hind feet. Claws articulate separately and more freely.
MIDDLE PIECE
The back is straight, strong and well-muscled in the loin of bulls, but the topline has tendency to be slightly hollow. The abdomen has adequate capacity and is well carried. The hind flank has fair depth and fullness and the navel flap is small.
HINDQUARTERS
The rump is not very broad in hookbone, thurl and pinbone, but moderately long, dropping from hook to pinbones. this together with a prominent sacrum gives a slightly roofy tendency to the rump.
The tail is long and thin with a flexible tip. It has no long hair on it but has a full brush (switch) and extends down to the hocks.
The thighs are round and relatively lean and the twist is not very deep.
The shank (gaskin) is long and lean.
The hocks are of excellent depth with good placement, but have a tendency to be sickle- and cow-hocked.
The bone of the hind legs is small and dense.
The cannons, fetlocks, pastern and feet are of similar quality to that of the forelegs.
HIDE AND HAIR
The Nguni has a well-pigmented, motile hide of medium thickness and the coat is short, fine and glossy (oily). The coat patterns are legion and warrant a separate descriptive catalogue but black, red, dun, roan, speckled and parched animals are acceptable. Pure white and unpigmented animals are discriminated against.
MALE ORGANS
Testes are of functional size and shape, equal in size and not hypoplastic. The scrotum is pigmented with well-developed thermoregulatory function. The sheath is small and not pendulous.
MILK SYSTEM
The udder is moderate in size, but well-developed. It is well-attached and -carried and does not droop.
Teats are smallish but well-pigmented and functional.
Milk veins are not prominent.
TEMPERAMENT
The Nguni is docile but alert and has good mothering ability.
SIZE AND MASS
Bulls are of medium size weighing 500-800kg. The average shoulder height of Phase C bulls (±15 months) is ±120 cm.
Cows are smallish and weight 300 - 480 kg. Their body length is ±130 cm and height at shoulder ± 119 cm.
SHAPE AND PROPORTIONS
Nguni cattle should have a functionally efficient conformation. They are of respiratory type and exhibit harmonious proportions giving a neat appearance.
HEAD
The head is of medium size and length with lean fleshing and an alert appearance. The shape is not coffin shaped.
The jaws are deep.
The profile is longitudinally straight but slightly dished laterally.
The forehead is usually at least at long as the face and widest at the eyes’ orbital prominence.
The eyes are well-spaced, alert and the brows are not heavy or prominent. There should be good pigmentation around the eyes. Their apparent size varies between sexes, being prominent in females but not protruding in males.
The face is wide, decreasing only slightly to the muzzle.
Its profile is straight.
The nose is straight, strong and well-defined.
The muzzle is broad, strong and dark-pigmented.
The lower jaw is well-formed, but not too prominent or over / undershot.
Ears are small, pointed and covered with short, dark-coloured fine hair and no fringe. Their position is below and behind the horns.
Ngunis are predominantly horned, but occasionally naturally polled animals occur.
The poll width depends on the presence and placement of the horns being wider and rounder in bulls and animals with wide or no horns.
HORNS
Horns are crescent-shaped in bulls and characteristically lyre-shaped, thinner and longer in mature females. They are round in cross-section and dark, especially at the tips.
NECK AND DEWLAP
The neck is moderately long and well-attached to head and forequarters being lean in cows but shorter and fuller in bulls.
The dewlap is smaller than that of the Afrikaner commencing as a single fold between the lower jaw, tucked up below the throat and terminating between the forelegs.
HUMP
The hump is situated cervico-thoracically and is muscular in structure. The size and shape of the hump is reasonably well-developed in bulls especially after 3 years but in females is only evident in individual animals in good condition.
FOREQUARTERS
The withers are comparatively narrow and well-defined in females - heavier in males.
The shoulder is short and relatively upright.
The barrel of the chest is of the respiratory type with well sprung ribs.
The brisket is only slightly prominent.
The forearm is of moderate length, lightly muscled and fineboned.
The knee is small and round with dense bone.
Cannons are moderate in length, fetlocks small and pastern are short. All have fine, dense bone.
Pasterns are short and slightly sloped to upright. Feet are high-heeled, round shaped and hooves have dark dense horn close together in front but can be more open medially. Front feet are larger than hind feet. Claws articulate separately and more freely.
MIDDLE PIECE
The back is straight, strong and well-muscled in the loin of bulls, but the topline has tendency to be slightly hollow. The abdomen has adequate capacity and is well carried. The hind flank has fair depth and fullness and the navel flap is small.
HINDQUARTERS
The rump is not very broad in hookbone, thurl and pinbone, but moderately long, dropping from hook to pinbones. this together with a prominent sacrum gives a slightly roofy tendency to the rump.
The tail is long and thin with a flexible tip. It has no long hair on it but has a full brush (switch) and extends down to the hocks.
The thighs are round and relatively lean and the twist is not very deep.
The shank (gaskin) is long and lean.
The hocks are of excellent depth with good placement, but have a tendency to be sickle- and cow-hocked.
The bone of the hind legs is small and dense.
The cannons, fetlocks, pastern and feet are of similar quality to that of the forelegs.
HIDE AND HAIR
The Nguni has a well-pigmented, motile hide of medium thickness and the coat is short, fine and glossy (oily). The coat patterns are legion and warrant a separate descriptive catalogue but black, red, dun, roan, speckled and parched animals are acceptable. Pure white and unpigmented animals are discriminated against.
MALE ORGANS
Testes are of functional size and shape, equal in size and not hypoplastic. The scrotum is pigmented with well-developed thermoregulatory function. The sheath is small and not pendulous.
MILK SYSTEM
The udder is moderate in size, but well-developed. It is well-attached and -carried and does not droop.
Teats are smallish but well-pigmented and functional.
Milk veins are not prominent.
TEMPERAMENT
The Nguni is docile but alert and has good mothering ability.
Characteristics
Exceptional fertility under harsh conditions with a long productive life
Early sexual maturity, particularly in heifers
Adaptability to harsh extensive conditions
Good foraging ability coupled with growth potential on the veld
Resistance to ticks and tick-borne diseases
Excellent dam line for crossbreeding with no calving difficulty
Heat tolerance
Placid temperament
Longevity
Perform well in Feedlots
Early sexual maturity, particularly in heifers
Adaptability to harsh extensive conditions
Good foraging ability coupled with growth potential on the veld
Resistance to ticks and tick-borne diseases
Excellent dam line for crossbreeding with no calving difficulty
Heat tolerance
Placid temperament
Longevity
Perform well in Feedlots
Reproduction Statistics
Average age of first calving - 31 months
Average inter-calving period - 400 days
Estimated calving percentage - 90% of reproductive females
Average cow weight - 350-430 kg
Average weaning weight - 145-180 kg
Average birth weight - 24-30 kg
Average inter-calving period - 400 days
Estimated calving percentage - 90% of reproductive females
Average cow weight - 350-430 kg
Average weaning weight - 145-180 kg
Average birth weight - 24-30 kg
Role in Beef Industry
Utilized as a dam-line
Possesses an excellent ability for terminal cross-breeding
No calving difficulty
Calf mortality is low
High fertility and low maintenance requirements of the smaller dam which produces large offspring and therefore a higher productivity
Possesses an excellent ability for terminal cross-breeding
No calving difficulty
Calf mortality is low
High fertility and low maintenance requirements of the smaller dam which produces large offspring and therefore a higher productivity