Sussex
Going Native for Profit
Sussex cattle are a red breed of beef cattle from the Weald of Sussex, Surrey and Kent in south eastern England. Descended from the draught oxen long used on the Weald they were selectively bred from the late 18th century to form a modern beef breed which is now used in many countries around the world. They have a thin summer coat and many sweat glands, but grow a thick coat in winter, so they are suited to both hot summers and cold winters. They have a placid temperament but can be very stubborn.
The modern Sussex is a highly economical, well muscled, easy and economical to produce animal giving the best quality beef.
Presently, the Sussex is a medium sized animal, and while competitive breeds have in recent times become larger than the Sussex there is no doubt that even in the UK, there will always be a market for an earlier maturing beef animal. This characteristic secures for the Sussex breed a unique role under production systems where beef is produced off grass or pastures.
Sussex Cattle possess many desirable characteristics, which are proving as relevant today as they were in times past. The Sussex is an adaptable, hardy breed with the ability to survive and thrive under harsh conditions.
The modern Sussex is a highly economical, well muscled, easy and economical to produce animal giving the best quality beef.
Presently, the Sussex is a medium sized animal, and while competitive breeds have in recent times become larger than the Sussex there is no doubt that even in the UK, there will always be a market for an earlier maturing beef animal. This characteristic secures for the Sussex breed a unique role under production systems where beef is produced off grass or pastures.
Sussex Cattle possess many desirable characteristics, which are proving as relevant today as they were in times past. The Sussex is an adaptable, hardy breed with the ability to survive and thrive under harsh conditions.
Characteristics
The Sussex breed has focused on a few carefully defined market segments. Where early maturity is required to enable calves to be finished off veld or pastures, similarly in a feedlot system, where the emphasis is on carcass quality and efficiency, Sussex will be the number one sire breed. Where a medium size dam line is required, Sussex with its excellent milk production and heat tolerance can once again fullfil the need – whether bred pure or crossed with one of the Bos Indicus breeds. And finally, in the case of a new or existing composite breed, Sussex crosses can and have been used with great effect as a source of basic female breeding material where their well known maternal characteristics and pigmented skin and uniform red colour can be of advantage. While the precise role of the breed will differ from one country to another, Sussex cattle have distinctive inherent qualities which, with the aid of careful breeding, selection and marketing, will secure for them a growing market in different countries of the world.
The beef produced from Sussex Cattle is renown for its eating qualities, being fine in texture, well marbled and traditional in flavour. It is also lightly boned and should 'kill out' well over 50%, making the Sussex an ideal beast for traditional butchers
The beef produced from Sussex Cattle is renown for its eating qualities, being fine in texture, well marbled and traditional in flavour. It is also lightly boned and should 'kill out' well over 50%, making the Sussex an ideal beast for traditional butchers
Why Sussex?
- Quiet and easy to handle – have an excellent temperament and are well known for their placid nature.
- Mobility - Strong legs and good feet enable Sussex to walk long distances over difficult terrain (report from Zambia describes rustled cows covering 55km in 24 hours, finding their own way back home).
- High fertility - Sussex cows are easy calving, regular breeders well into their teens under commercial conditions.
- Easy calving – Sussex calves are small at birth having an average weight of 30-40 kg
- Early maturing - with a high percentage of saleable meat
- Efficient foragers - the Sussex maintain their condition even on poor quality feed. They are known for their non-selective grazing They have the Bos Indicus factor, will tolerate heat and drought Sussex bulls make ideal terminal bulls for dairy herds
- Heat tolerant – Pigmented skin and a high number of sweat glands (900+ per sq. cm.)enable the Sussx to thrive in many different conditions, they develop a smooth summer coat, plus in winter conditions, rapid growth of a winter coat ensures tolerance of cold enabling Sussex to be out-wintered on exposed marshes.
Bull
Sussex bulls show strong masculine character with a blocky, medium size frame. Bulls generally weigh 800kg+ at two years old, to around 1000kg when mature. They thrive in both hot and cool climates, and are relatively early maturing. Sussex bulls are adaptable and are able to walk long distances in the dry extensive areas of the country.
The most important characteristics defining Sussex bulls role in the market are pre-potency, hardiness, good weaning weights and excellent post weaning growth. Both horned and polled bulls are now bred in South Africa. Having evolved in poor pasture in the past, the ability to subsist in poor grazing conditions has been retained. Due to their even, dark brown colouring no pigmentation problems are experienced. Sussex bulls have good depth and capacity which ensures a well-balanced conformation in general. This together with a calm temperament, good muscling and finishing characteristics all result in an ideal beef breed.
Sire selection is one of the most important decisions producers make. If it is effective, sire selection will account for nearly 90 percent of the genetic improvement in a herd. Mistakes made on sire selection this year will show up on next year’s calf crop.
The most important characteristics defining Sussex bulls role in the market are pre-potency, hardiness, good weaning weights and excellent post weaning growth. Both horned and polled bulls are now bred in South Africa. Having evolved in poor pasture in the past, the ability to subsist in poor grazing conditions has been retained. Due to their even, dark brown colouring no pigmentation problems are experienced. Sussex bulls have good depth and capacity which ensures a well-balanced conformation in general. This together with a calm temperament, good muscling and finishing characteristics all result in an ideal beef breed.
Sire selection is one of the most important decisions producers make. If it is effective, sire selection will account for nearly 90 percent of the genetic improvement in a herd. Mistakes made on sire selection this year will show up on next year’s calf crop.
Cow
Due to strict breed society standards, Sussex cows are subject to selection pressure leading to functional, productive females with good fertility. They are invariably good milkers, with an above average, high fat content enabling higher weaning weights with a relatively early maturing calf. Together with good temperament and their well-known maternal characteristics, Sussex cows are easy to manage. They generally weigh between 500 to 600kg.
Apart from their non-selective grazing habits (having evolved in poor pasture conditions) as well as their superior heat and cold resistance, Sussex cows offer all round superior genetics. They have a marked ability to pick up condition quickly after calving or when the grazing improves.
Apart from their non-selective grazing habits (having evolved in poor pasture conditions) as well as their superior heat and cold resistance, Sussex cows offer all round superior genetics. They have a marked ability to pick up condition quickly after calving or when the grazing improves.
While the precise role of the breed will differ from one country to another, Sussex cattle have distinctive inherent qualities which, with the aid of careful breeding, selection and marketing, will secure them a growing market in different countries of the world.
Images courtesy of Sussex Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa