Grasveld Senepol Groeptelers Synchronisation

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2 >>> Voerkraalafronding van Message from the President

History with the development of the Senepol breed of cattle Raad/Council 2 Photo competitionspeenkalwers 70 Senepol Members An ideal breed for Africa’s 70 extensive conditions 2 4 72 76 68 5 58 62 11 Hoe moet my Senepol lyk?66 58 Hoëdruk en ultra hoëdruk beweiding Vaccinces Direction vs. Destination 48 DNA testing Senepol cattle in Guatemala Grasveld Senepol Groeptelers 15 Die effek en belangrikheid48 van Synchronisation bultoetse in ‘n ras

15 18 41 54 50 BLUP breeding values and traditional indices Facebook highlights

41 23 23 30 38 45 SCBA 32 Praktiese beginsels vir Brusellose beheer 35

Reproductive efficiency Senepol the 38 besoek aan die VSA growing breed Senepol Beestelersgenootskap

Voorblad foto: Adverteerders André Pretorius Ekland Senepol IFC & 9 Clinomics 47 Vetkragga Boerdery 3 Calcrete Senepol Stud 57 Joxepa Senepol 10 Blackpool Senepol 61 Siabo Senepol 13 Sheard Auctioneers 61 Grasveld Senepol Groeptelers 14 Casa Savelli Senepol 65 Eversar Senepol Stud 17 Schilderpraght Senepol Stoet 75 Skietkraal 21 Vleissentraal 79 Veeplaas 22 Greensen 80 & IBC Fanel Boerdery 31 Circle C OBC Langlyf & Nonnie Senepol Stoeterye 37

Production of Newsletter: Published by: Firefly Publications (Pty) Ltd Senepol Cattle Breeders’ Society of SA • Tel: +27 71 364 0076 Tel: 051 821 1783 [email protected] • www.senepolsa.co.za Fax: 086 580 9189 | PO Box 328 Brandfort PO Box 316571, Fichardpark, Bloemfontein 9317 E-mail: [email protected] The opinions expressed in this journal are not necessarily the views of the Council of this Cattle Breeders’ Society.3 Layout: Caria Vermaak This Society accepts no responsibility for claims made in advertisements. Advert design: Donovan Heunis <<< 2016 - 2017 Raad Council

danie nieuwoudt Wilhelm allan botha President Oosthuysen Council member Vice President

Kevin Cloete Marius Hanley fourie Council member van deventer Secretary Council member

Danie Nieuwoudt Kevin Cloete Marius van Deventer PRESIDENT COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCIL MEMBER Mobile : 083 302 1796 Mobile: 083 272 1549 Mobile: 082 926 5579 Mail: [email protected] Mail: [email protected] Mail: [email protected]

Responsibilities: Responsibilities: Responsibilities: • Breed Standards • National Auction • Finances • Inspections • Promotions • National Auction • Veeplaas Senepol Stud • Mentorship/New Breeders Wilhelm Oosthuysen • Studbook • DNA VICE PRESIDENT • Journal/Website Mobile: 082 611 7766 Hanley Fourie Allan Botha Mail: [email protected] SECRETARY COUNCIL MEMBER Mobile: 071 364 0076 Responsibilities: Mobile: +26771459547 Mail: [email protected] • Nampo Mail: [email protected] • Veeplaas Responsibilities: • Landbou Weekblad • Legal advisor • Farmer’s Weekly • Constitutional Matters • Journal/Website • Breed Standards • Meat Quality & Branding • Namibian and Botswana breeders

4 >>> 5 <<< Message from the President On our farm usually the end of August means the end South Africa has the best farmers in the world. To of the production season. All the summer calves and produce the quality and quantity that we do under lambs are weaned. The winter calves are already the conditions that we do is admirable. strong and the sheep are sheared. The harvesting I further believe Senepol to be the breed that can of the maize and sunflowers are done. In September do exactly this. Senepol can produce the quantity we reflect on the past year and start planning the and quality meat under extreme conditions that the coming season. And what a year we had! market needs. We have committed breeders that The past year will be remembered as the year with can produce and supply the breeding animals for the worst drought of all time. During this period, we this demand. I truly believe in our motto of “Breeding heard some heart breaking stories of farmers culling for the Future”. new born lambs and calves, and even a young I wish to thank the Senepol family, with this I mean farmer committing suicide. We heard of farmers that all the breeders and their families, for their ongoing had to sell all their animals and even some that lost positivity and support for the breed. The family 90% of their farms due to devastating veld fires. grows all the time and we welcome all the new However, this said, everything was not just bad. breeders that joined us during this last year. Thank Reports of farmers sending truck after truck of feed you to the council for all their dedication and work to fellow farmers came through daily. Organizations that they put in. I believe that this Journal will again like Caring Daisies and Feed of Hope met the prove Senepols’ rightful place in the South African challenge by organizing hundreds of trucks of feed beef market. for farmers in all areas. You had the choice of ignoring Success comes from being consistent, day after day, the problem or face it head-on. True to South African month after month, year after year (Prudential ad). farmers the latter prevailed. I cannot help thinking of the Billy Ocean song, “When the going gets tough, Thank you the tough gets going”. Even now while the drought is still a reality in many areas the farmers’ positivity for Danie Nieuwoudt the new season is contagious. It is also during this time of reflection that you think back at key moments. I remember the Senepol cows grazing during the heat of day, while my other commercial animals lay at the water troughs at 10:00 in the morning and not leave before late afternoon. My Senepol cows keeping condition during this time. I also remember commercial farmers contacting me for Senepol bulls during December when the drought was at its most intense. During a period when everybody sold their animals I was looking for female animals for potential buyers. During this time as in the previous 6 to 7 years our animal numbers grew exponentially. I want to change the song to “When the going gets tough, the tough gets Senepol cattle for their farm”. In my opinion, we as stud breeders have a responsibility to keep our fellow farmers farming. During a visit to the USA, I again realized that

6 >>> HANS LAWAETZ’ History with the development of the SENEPOL BREED OF CATTLE

rom the time my Dad, Frits E. Lawaetz, for slaughter, all animals with scurs, any white color, was hired in 1940 by Mr. Ward M. Canaday long hair (pelu), and nervousness, and also started (WC brand) to manage Annaly Farms, and weighing the young cattle. At night by calculating they purchased the Nelthropp herd of 132 the weight per day gain (before ratios and EPDs) all red in color and polled cattle in 1949, I was able to identify the inferior calves and dams, I was involved working on the ranch the which were sold as soon as possible for slaughter. summers of my high school years (1951-1955). The Dipping 1,500+/- head of cattle every 3 to 4 weeks Fsummers of my University years (Cornell University in order to control the tick population, which could ‘55-’59), I worked on ranches in Kansas (Charolais/ possibly spread two diseases, anaplasmosis and Hereford cattle), Colorado (Hereford herd in the piroplasmosis, at three different corrals with vats for valley with steers from Arizona in the mountains dipping the cattle, meant organizing the work force on Federal land) and in Florida dealing with 1,500 to deal with 500+/- head of cattle, in 4 to 6 different nervous Zebu, Angus, Hereford crossed steers, all herds for 1 to 2 days of work every week in the for $50.00 per week. corrals. But this also gave us an opportunity to tag After five years in the U.S. Air Force as an officer, I calves at an early age, brand and weigh for weaning decided to return to St. Croix in 1964 with my wife, and yearling weights. We could also review sires Judy, and our two year old daughter Amy to assist and dams for good conformation, docilness, fertility, my Dad, a serving Virgin Islands Senator in the short hair, red color, good udder and no scurs. Virgin Islands Legislature, who had lost his left leg in With 500+ calves being born each year, in mainly 1959 due to an injury while working on the ranch. At three 60 day contemporary groups, we were that time, I came on as a partner with Mr. Canaday selecting the top 60 heifers each year based on and my Dad, in the management of Annaly Farms. At performance records, conformation etc. to replace this point, Annaly Farms consisted of 250+ acres of the top 60 undesirable cows and also keeping for Sugar Cane, the Nelthropp herd, and 1,200+ head breeding the top 20-25 yearling bulls for breeding, of N’Dama/Criollo cattle, all on 4,200 acres. and slaughtering the balance 10+ animals each Fortunately, my Dad kept very good genetic records week for local food consumption. from 1949 with the Senepol cattle identified with the By weighing the young cattle every 30+ days, it WCS code and a number and the other cattle with a could be determined when the heifers reached 700+ WCL code and a number with a metal tag in their ear. lbs whether they were either to be bred to calf at 24 At 3-6 months of age, the calves were branded with to 26 months of age or slaughtered soon after. The that number and code. He also began recording the bull calves at 800+ lbs were slaughtered unless they date of birth and dam number of each calf and, in were graded 2++. If so, they were kept as possible 1954, trade-marked the name Senepol for this new herd sires for the future. When the young cattle were breed of cattle. weighed, I graded with a 3 (for slaughter), 2, 2+ or One of my first jobs was to reduce the size of the 2++. No 1’s were issued until the animal had proven herd due to over-grazing after a drought in 1964, itself. and by 1966, the farm terminated the Sugar Cane In 1967, we also decided to code all the calves operation, converting that land to Pangola Grass for the same with a WC and started the females with cattle grazing. number WC-1000, now at WC- 8650, and males at We started reducing the size of the herd by selling, number WC-1, and after WC-999 start over with the

7 <<< number WC-1 and the year letter code. In the mid ‘70s, thanks to Dr. A.L. “Ike” Eller, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, the St. Croix Senepol breeders were able to enroll their cattle in the Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Program (BCIP) and receive printouts of computer calculated performance ratios and adjusted weaning and yearling weights. This information also provided the foundation for our present SCBA Senepol EPDs. In 1967, I had gotten the idea to start delivering Annaly Farms Senepol fresh grass fed beef to the local island grocery stores myself rather Which one is mine . . . than depend on the island butchers to decide >> when and at what price they would pay for the cattle. At this time we were also loading schooners with old & culled cows at $.18 per pound to the island of Martinique. By 1968, we were slaughtering 10 to 15 animals per week at the Virgin Islands federal inspected abattoir, buying cattle for slaughter from the other Senepol breeders and delivering Senepol beef to 10+ small local grocery stores from an insulated aluminum lined box in the back of my pickup truck. In 1968, in order to meet the demand of our island population of 40,000 to 50,000 >> Cowboy Guison and Hans, working together since 1964 people, I brought to the island 14,000 lbs. of grass fed fresh quartered carcasses of beef from the Dominican Republic, on a small two engine chartered aircraft. This was sold through delivery to the island grocery stores. After the 1st shipment, the U.S. Federal Meat Inspectors insisted that, in the future, I would need a federally approved facility for inspecting the beef, since it was being imported from a foreign country. For the next few years, I brought in 20,000+ lbs. of fresh hanging beef from Florida in 50 ft. refrigerated trailers, selling it in 10 >> Delivering fresh Senepol beef quarters in 1968 days from the trailer in my back yard. After designing and redesigning a federally approved refrigerated warehouse and a meat processing room, I finally was approved for a loan to build the facility in 1974. After construction, a U.S. Federal inspector visited the facility every working day until after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. After the hurricane my younger daughter Jodie, a graduate of Clemson University where she attended on a swimming scholarship, joined Annaly Farms and took over the management of the Annaly Prepering Senepol cattle for shipment Farms Meat Market. We then decided to >>

8 >>> concentrate on the retail food business and bid on The first shipment was to Dr. Don Applegate, a government food contracts, which we still do today, veterinarian from Louisville, Kentucky who named handling a great deal of frozen foods from the United his Senepol operation the American Senepol Limited States. (ASL brand) and Mr. Wingard Freeman from Macon, Georgia. Dr. Applegate was also the President of the In 1974, we were also financially able to have my Simmental Cattle Association and had heard about brother Frits join the partnership as a partner and, the Senepol breed from Mr. Vaniman when he visited by 1976 had bought out our Limited Partner, Mr. St. Croix in 1976. He was interested in crossing the Canaday’s interest in the herd of Senepol cattle. Senepol with his Simmental cattle mainly for smaller Mr. Canaday was always an important part of my calves at birth. Mr. Freeman was a Mennonite dairy life. When I was 14 years of age, he told my Dad farmer who was also a board member of the Beefalo that as part of his compensation he would setup an Cattle Association and was on his way to Brazil for a Educational Trust Fund to pay for my high school and board meeting when the “semen collector” from the college education in the United States, and while we D & D Bull Motel, who collected the semen in 1976 were partners demanding strict financial records on for the Brooksville research project, convinced Mr. the Annaly Farms Partnership cattle operation. Freeman to visit St. Croix. After his visit he decided Of course, the beef business all changed on St. to switch from Beefalo to Senepol. Croix in the ‘70s when a large “chain food store” built In 1987, the VISA Board and membership agreed to a grocery store on St. Croix and boxed cryovac beef change the name of the association to the American became an easier product for small grocery stores International Senepol Association (AISA), which to handle and sell. Fortunately, when we designed already had three board members from the United the Annaly Farms Meat Market, it not only included States. In 1988, the Board also agreed to relocate a 20’X20’ refrigerated room for hanging beef, a the Senepol Registry from the College of the Virgin butcher room for processing meats, but also a 36’L Islands to the Red Angus Cattle Association located X 16’W X 10’H freezer which meant we could import in Denton, Texas. trailer loads of frozen meats, fish and vegetables to sell retail with our fresh hanging Senepol beef. This I continued to serve as Chairman of the board still continues today, and has been managed by my until 1991 when we reorganized and formed the daughter Jodie since 1990. Senepol Cattle Breeders Association (SCBA) with a 12 member board of directors (BOD). In order to In 1977, the four St. Croix Senepol breeders provide a distribution of members on the board, the organized the Virgin Islands Senepol Association United States was divided into five regions with one (VISA) with the help of many people. These included: region for international members. Dr. Will T. Butts who had started the research work in 1976 on the Senepol breed at the Brooksville Exporting Senepol cattle from St. Croix to the United USDA Subtropical Research Station using semen States meant, once the animals were selected by the from 17 St. Croix sires; Mr. Dixon D. Hubburd at buyer based on his observation of the animal and the time stationed at the Washington D.C., U.S. its’ performance records, samples of blood were Dept. of Agricultural Office; Mr. Dan Vaniman the taken 30 days before departure, by plane or ship, Exec. Director of the American Simmental Cattle and sent to Ames, Iowa for testing to determine Association who helped us start the Senepol Breed whether the cattle were carriers of the diseases Registry and association by-laws; and of course Dr. anaplasmosis and/or piroplasmonsis. The animals Harold D. Hupp who was assigned to the College of may have looked healthy because they had built up the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station to an immunity to the diseases, but may show in testing study and characterize the Senepol breed and also a titer as a carrier of the disease. Once the results serve as recording secretary of the VISA. were returned negative, the animals were placed in the quarantine facility 10 days before departure I was elected Chairman at the first official meeting and blood samples taken again. During the next of VISA, and, at the time, Annaly Farms had 600+ nine days you prayed the cattle would be ready for cows in the VISA Foundation Registry, more than all departure and the plane or ship was on schedule. the other Senepol breeders combined. Fortunately, one of our board members, Mr. Oscar E. Henry Shipping to Venezuela was different since they (OH brand), was also the V.I. Commissioner of also had ticks and wanted animals with a titer, and Agricultural and he was able to allocate funds from therefore the quarantine was not necessary. In the the Department for the construction of a quarantine ‘90s, the St. Croix breeders shipped 200 head facility for the exportation of the Senepol cattle, (200,000lbs.) of Senepols to Venezuela via two 727 which we started doing in 1977. aircrafts. The two aircrafts made two trips each in

9 <<< >> Founders, Virgin Islands Senepol Association, St. Croix, October 12, 1976 From left: Enrico “Kiko” Gasperi, Caroline & Mario Gasperi (Castle Nugent Farm, code “CN”), Henry Nelthropp of Nelthropp Farms (code N), Virgin Islands Commissioner of Agricultural Oscar E. Henry (code OH), Hans Lawaetz of Annaly Farms (code WC), Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) at the College of the Virgin Islands Dr. Darshan S. Padda, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (VPI) Dr. A. L. “Ike” Eller. Missing in the picture was Virgin Islands Senator Frits E. Lawaetz of Annaly Farms (code WC).

one day. Remember, Venezuela is only 500+ miles Senepol each year on a Stretch DC-8 to Venezuela. from St. Croix. My records show the exportation of many cattle from Annaly Farms (WC) to numerous cattle breeders Thanks to the encouragement and efforts of SCBA from different states and countries over the past 38 Exec. Director Greg Comstock, we were able to host years, including Australia and Brazil. St. Croix “Hand Picked” Senepol Auctions at Stan Coley’s Ranch, Ga. in 1995 and at Stamey Farms, Over the past 39 years on the Senepol Association N.C. in 1996 & 1998. Greg came to St. Croix, took BOD, I have served for 17 years as president, one a great deal of pictures, and then put together three year as V.P. and eight years as treasurer. It has been great Auction Sale booklets with over 65 lots in each my honor and pleasure to have worked with so many sale. The big challenge was to identify a sale day, outstanding and dedicated Senepol breeders from after 30 days of isolation at the farm in the U.S., many different countries. I think the future of the 30 days of testing and quarantine in St. Croix and Senepol breed is now secure in the tropical regions scheduling a plane to carry 75,000+lbs of cattle to of the world thanks to the work of SCBA. I wish the the U.S., with payment in advance. best of success to the SCBA Board of Directors to continue the history of SCBA as the international For four years in a row, thanks to the efforts of Señora organization responsible for the accurate genetics Beatriz Diaz, from 2001 to 2004 before President and performance records of the breed world-wide. Chavez took control of Venezuela, Annaly Farms with help from Castle Nugent Farms, shipped 100 head of

10 >>> 11 <<< 12 >>> An ideal breed for eAfrica’sx tens i v e cond i t i ons The Senepol holds the key to sustainable and profitable beef production in South Africa, says Wilhelm Oosthuyzen, owner of Senepol SA’s 2015 Stud Herd of the Year. Annelie Coleman visited his Joxepa Senepol Stud near Bothaville, Free State, to find out more about this remarkable breed.

The Senepol is a two- breed composite developed produces grain, sheep and cattle. The herd is run on on the Caribbean island of St Croix. The two 1 480ha. Wilhelm considers the breed ideally suited breeds are the N’Dama, a beef cattle breed native to the extensive beef production conditions of the to Senegal in West Africa, and the Red Poll. The western Free State where the temperatures range first Senepols were bred by Bromley Nelthropp from below zero in winter to the high 30s in summer. in 1918 with the aim of developing a breed of “The Senepol’s genetic composition from two Bos cattle that would flourish in the island’s tropical Taurus breeds has resulted in an efficient animal environment and combine the traits needed for that’s ideal for crossbreeding,” he says. “It’s one top production. of the very few Bos Taurus breeds with the heat The first Senepol arrived in South Africa in 2001 following the formation of the SA Senepol Club ‘My Senepol beef has received under the auspices of the Red Poll Cattle Breeders’ very good reviews’ Society of SA in 2000. tolerance necessary to excel in hot regions. Its short “The breed’s popularity increased to such an red coat contributes to this: Senepol cattle don’t extent that it can now be found in most provinces normally seek shade during the midday heat. And of South Africa and in neighbouring countries it has been estimated that they graze around 1,25 such as Botswana and Namibia,” says Wilhelm. hours longer per day than most other Bos Taurus His Joxepa stud forms part of the Bothavillebased breeds.” SF Haasbroek Farming family enterprise, which

13 <<< In mid-summer, Wilhelm explains, rosette-like outstanding maternal abilities and produce enough patterns appear on the back of the animal, an milk to wean calves at 40% to 50% of their own indication of the efficient sweat glands that reduce weight. the body temperature. Wilhelm follows a single, 63-day multi-sire breeding >> The stud season starting on 15 January each year. He uses one bull for every 25 to 40 cows and determines Wilhelm established the Joxepa Senepol Stud in paternity through DNA testing. Every cow has 2008 when he leased a bull from another breeder to wean a calf every year; if it fails to do so, it is with the arrangement that he would return 10% of immediately culled from the herd. its progeny to the owner. This agreement extended to two bulls the following year. He eventually bought The Senepol is the ideal breed for crossbreeding, one of these bulls but continued to lease the other according to Wilhelm. When bred to horned breeds, one. its prepotency for this characteristic has ensured that 90% of the progeny are also polled. This arrangement worked so well that he entered into an embryo programme with another breeder. Senepol cattle mature early, so heifers can calve at Wilhelm supplied the recipient cows and the other two years. Joxepa heifers are mated at 15 months breeder provided the genetics. The first calves were and expected to drop their first calves at 24 months. born in October 2011. About half of the 350-strong (300 cows and 50 heifers) registered breeding herd are artificially Recently, he transferred in vitro-fertilised embryos inseminated every year, usually in the first week of from three donor-cows to 50 recipient cows with January. imported semen from the Nova Vida Senepol stud in the US and using the bulls PRR 7013 and RBS Their oestrus cycles are synchronised to allow 9704G. Wilhelm five days to complete the process. “We also use AI to bring new genetics into the herd, sourcing >> Breeding semen locally and from the US and Australia,” he The naturally polled Senepol is known for exceptional explains. “My objective is to breed well-adapted fertility, says Wilhelm. The cows have a calm animals that excel on the veld and produce topquality temperament, beef from relatively low-quality forage.” >> Grazing The cattle uses 45 grazing camps, each with a watering point. The sandy loam soil is dominated by red grass (Themeda triandra) and Smutsfinger grass (Digitaria eriantha). The average rainfall is between 300mm and 500mm. Sound veld conservation and management are important to Wilhelm. Half of the grazing land is rested for a full year, with the other being grazed from 1 August to 31 July. The animals are rotated every 60 days in the portion being grazed. The forage resource includes a mixed pasture of 60ha irrigated Smutsfinger grass and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). A phosphate lick, mixed according to Wilhelm’s own recipe and containing trace elements, salt and protein, is provided in summer. He supplies a protein lick in winter, while heifers receive a production lick from weaning until being mated at 15 months. “We ultimately farm with grass and convert it into beef,” he explains. “This programme allowed me to keep the herd on the veld, even during the past three years’ drought in the Free

14 >>> State. But given the current conditions, I may have to the N’Dama influence and the selection applied in supply additional feed if it doesn’t rain soon. We’re the development of the breed. Moreover, the cattle fortunate that I can make silage, should we need it. rarely experience pink eye or cancer of the eye. “I also wean calves at five months instead of seven The Joxepa herd is inoculated against blackleg, months to allow the cows some respite.” Rift Valley fever, lumpy skin disease, botulism and anthrax shortly before summer. In the past, jackals The basis of Wilhelm’s stud breeding is animal were a threat during the calving season but Wilhelm recording and performance testing. The Joxepa has contained the problem since introducing guard herd was lauded as Senepol Herd of the Year, and donkeys three years ago. Wilhelm’s detailed record-keeping played a part in this, says Senepol SA secretary Charmaine Butler. >> plans to own value chain Statistics show that the stud maintains an inter- Senepol beef is of exceptional quality and Wilhelm calving period of 425 days. The breed is known for supplies the Local Grill restaurant in Johannesburg. easy calving and low birth weights. The average His ultimate goal is to take ownership of the beef Joxepa birth weight is 35kg with an average seven- value chain and he plans to build an on-farm abattoir month weaning weight of 250kg for bull calves and and deboning facility. 230kg for heifers. The short, fine coat ensures that “My Senepol beef received very good reviews,” the medium-framed Senepol carries few external he says. “It’s early days yet, but the input costs of parasites. Research by the US Department of red meat production are so high that we as primary Agriculture shows that Senepol cattle have a high producers will have to get involved in the value chain general immunity to disease. This is ascribed to to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability.”

15 <<< 16 >>> SENEPOLGrasveld GROEPTELERS Die Grasveld telersgroep is gebore uit gedeelde gestruktureerde samewerking behou elkeen steeds waardes en ‘n gemeenskaplike liefde vir die Senepol sy onafhanklikheid en nuanse verskille in boerdery ras, wat vergemaklik is deur die geografiese praktyke. Die groot voordeel van die groep lê egter nabyheid van die lede: Theuns Vlotman; Boetie in die deel van inligting en kennis, terwyl daar saam Hattingh en Thomas Stewart. Binne die semi- beding word vir die aankoop van sekere goedere; dienste en genetika. “Ons evalueer ook mekaar se kuddes; ruil genetika uit; en streef na die beste benutting van ons bestaande genetika, in belang van die groep en ras, eerder as die individuele boerdery”. Elkeen van die drie Senepol Stoeterye het ‘n eie en unieke oorsprong. Ro-Eh Senepol BK. (Ro-Eh, beteken ‘Herder” in Hebreeus, en sinspeel op die ‘rentmeesterskap’ rol; wat ons op aarde het), was een van die stigter stoeterye van die ras, destyds primer deur Chris van Rooyen, met Thomas as ‘n ‘stille vennoot’. Thomas het ‘n lang betrokkenheid by boerdery, wat kom vanaf sy kinderdae in KwaZulu Natal se Drakensberge waar sy Pa met Brahamane en Charolais op

17 <<< ‘n kommersiële basis geboer het. In 1998 het hy om die ras in Suid Afrika te vestig. Kontak is gemaak ‘n kommersiële troppie van 20 vroulike diere en ‘n met Basil Butler en Chris van Rooyen en in 2006 is Charolais bul na Brandfort geskuif. Hierdie troppie ‘n opteel kudde gevestig deur bulle te bekom met het hom in staat gestel om hulle eers met Bonsmaras embrio oorplantings as gevolg van die skaarste en toe deur opteel met Senepols te vervang. aan teelmateriaal op daardie stadium. Die Senepol het hom vinnig bewys as ‘n ideale bees vir die Thomas sê dat hy na sy ervaring in KZN besef het omgewing en voldoen aan die behoeftes soos deur dat boerdery in die droeër dele van die land ‘n ander Boetie neergelê. benadering en moontlik ‘n unieke ras nodig het. Die Senepol het verskeie voordele gebied, nl: ‘n Medium Die telersgroep is van mening dat die grootste enkele raam met ‘n laer voedingsbehoefde; dit is steeds ‘n uitdaging en geleentheid van die ras, terselfdertyd ‘rooi’ bees (wat bepaalde sentimentele waarde in sy relatiewe skaarsheid en beperkte genepoel is. Suid-Afrika het); en dit lewer uitstekende resultate in ‘n Internasionale kenner van die ras, P.G. van der opteel programme en kruistelings. “Die gemak om ‘n Walt, het ‘n tyd gelede, op die vraag waar nuwe vleisbees met die temperament van ‘n melkbees te genetika vandaan gaan kom, geantwoord: “Julle hanteer bly ‘n plesier in die kraal”. Hy sê ook dat die gaan dit teel”. In hierdie verband poog die groep om eerste jaar wat hy genoeg Senepol bulle vir sy koei deur die opteel program die genepoel te vergroot, trop gehad het, het sy kalwingsprobleme dramaties en deur streng seleksie ‘n bydrae te lewer tot ‘n afgeneem. Vir hom is die Senepol ‘n ras vir die algehele beter ras. Die drie opteel kuddes met ‘n toekoms; slagbaar van die veld af; maar ook gewild gesamentlike vroulike bevolking van ongeveer 300 en maklik bemarkbaar as speenkalwers. vroulike diere en 12-15 teelbulle, bied ‘n uitstekende geleentheid vir die nastreef van bg. doelwit. Met die aflaai van die eerste Senepols, vanuit Zimbabwe, in die Vrystaat, was Theuns teenwoordig ‘n Verdere gedeelde oortuiging is dat die op sy buurplaas Prachtstuk. As Angus boer het hy Senepol ‘n besondere geleentheid bied aan ‘n onmiddelik gehou van die poenskop bees met sy wye verskeidenheid boere om waarde aan hul gladde haarkleed. Vir ‘n tyd lank het hy die Senepol kommersieële kuddes toe te voeg met kruisteling. oorweeg, totdat hy sy eerste Senepol bul op die Van Nguni boere in die Karoo tot Melkboere in die Angusse gebruik het en hoogs tevrede was met die Suidwes Kaap het al Senepol bulle met groot vrug resultate. Sedertdien het hy ‘n hele kudde aanhangsel gebruik. Die Senepol het bepaald die potensiaal diere opgebou wat tans meestal uit Aanhangsel B, C om in die lang termyn ‘n al groter rol in die Sub- en SP diere bestaan. Sy langtermyn doelwit is om kontinent; die produksie van veld- en organiese- slegs met aanhangsel C en SP diere te teel sodat vleis; en ekstensiewe beesboerdery te speel. alle aanteel as SP geregistreer kan word na keuring. Verskeie kwaliteit diere word jaarliks verkoop aan Die belangrikste kenmerk waarna gestreef word kommersieële en stoet boere. Die groep maak ook is aangepaste diere wat goed kan oorwinter in al vir die afgelope ses jaar gebruik van plaaslike die strawwe winters van die Sentraal Vrystaat. Die en ingevoerde KI bulle, en begin in 2016 met ‘n boerdery word slegs op natuurlike weiding bedryf gesamentlike fase-D, groeitoets vir jong bulle. Die en reproduksie moet goed kan vergelyk met die groep waardeer kudde besoeke en ondersteun prestasie van ander rasse in dieselfde omgewing. graag nuwe telers tot die ras. Indien dit nie die geval is nie is daar nie plek vir die Senepol in hierdie omgewing nie. Tans vergelyk die TKP’s en speenindekse goed met die van ander rasse maar seleksie van aanteelmateriaal en kuddevaars moet baie oordeelkundig geskied. Boetie boer sedert 2002 kommersieël met Bonsmara maar was op soek na ‘n ras wat soortgelyk aan die Bonsmara is maar sonder horings en met kleiner kalwers met bewese gehardheid op die veld. ‘n Sorgvuldige navorsingsprojek gerugsteun deur internet soektogte het hom op die Senepol ras in Amerika en St Croix afgebring. Die Senepol ras het volkome voldoen aan sy vereistes en hy het toe ‘n soektog begin na beskikbare genetika. Groot was sy verbasing om via SA stamboek te hoor dat die ras reeds in Suid Afrika is en dat enkele telers besig is

18 >>> 19 <<< i o n

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r S h y n c of Oestrus Synchronisationin Beef Cattle on Extensive Pastures and Fixed Time Artificial Insemination in South Africa: 7 Key Areas where we need to Focus to Ensure Success

>> Dr Willem A. Schultheiss, Ceva Animal Health (Tel: 082 323 7019)

Success of a synchronisation and fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol means that, on Day 1 of the breeding season, one achieves at least 40% conception, but preferably closer to and exceeding 60%, from the semen of a bull with superior genetics that will increase the beef production per hectare grazing in a sustainable way.

Success is largely determined by the metabolic and reproductive physiological status the female is in at the time of synchronisation. Needless to say: We cannot blindly synchronise any animal and expect superior results.

20 >>> Success is not only limited in the percentage females c) Females must be used to handing in a crush. that conceive (the higher the conception, the lower Wild females will have an adrenalin/ cortisol o the bull costs per calf born/ weaned), but more release at the time of AI which will yield poor n importantly synchronisation & FTAI also allows for conception results i the following 7 advantages: - d) Cows: Must be more than 60 days after calving • Shortening of the inter-calving period (ICP) of the & already starting to gain in body condition – t beef herd even if it is from a relatively low base of > 2.0

• Earlier calving during the calving season, e) Bull semen: Choose a bull(s) that fit(s) the

frame size of the adapted adult females which

• Heavier weaning mass if weaning time remains a are those that calf early in the calving season.

the same, or, earlier weaning (shorter lactation) to s allow time for the dam to regain body condition to f) Make the females used to handling and the i the target of 3.0 at the next calving handling facilities. Wild animals and rough handling lead to adrenalin and cortisol release n • Longer recovery periods to re-breeding – which increase the risk of non-conception. especially for first calver cows which then Preferably inseminate cattle in a facility that they conceive better do not associate with unpleasant experiences. • A concentrated calving season where attention

to calf survival can be focussed over a shorter 2. Choose the animals to synchronise wisely o time span. This allows for targeted pre-partum out of the total female herd: supplementation for colostrum quality a) Given that the heifers are supposed to be the • Infusing the herd with superior genetics that are best genetic material, it is obvious that animals r in line with the herd objectives for sustainable from this group are eligible for synchronisation production of kilograms beef per hectare grazing and fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) – land. Heifers not retained in the herd and pregnant preferably one month in advance of the regular S h from proven, valuable sires, are expected to fetch breeding season to allow longer recovery time a higher price when sold as pregnant heifers to after earlier calving until the next breeding. y c other producers b) Cows that have calved during the first half of n • Given the poor sensitivity of the diagnostic test the previous calving season are most likely for Tritrichomonas foetus and poor control of those best adapted (right frame size) to the biosecurity in extensive regions in SA, the use of environment because they cycled early during FTAI and shortening the contact of females with the breeding season – essentially selecting for bulls will decrease the risk of introduction and the more “fertile” cow. spread of this serious venerial disease 3. Use a proven protocol to i) control the The 7 key focus areas for success are: follicular wave and to ii) synchronise ovulation: 1. Prepare the female herd timely: Feed (ample grazing and adequate supplements) a) Adequate dry matter intake (DMI) from pasture availability during the window from one month before with appropriate supplementation is critical anticipated calving until a month after calving is from about 100 days before anticipated critical for oocyte health and reconception during the synchronisation and artificial insemination. This NEXT breeding season. This dictates that TIMING of co-incides with the peri-partal period. Females a synchronisation protocol for FTAI is critical. Having should not be losing excessive body condition run out of sufficient grazing / dry matter during the before calving (> 0.5 score on a scale of 1-5; previous peri-partal period, will make all the hard one score resembling about 50kg burned fat work undone during the follow-up synchronised of which the byproducts, fatty acids, have to breeding season. be “detoxified” by the liver – resulting in fat inflitration of this organ that is pivotal in energy Synchronising and FTAI too early can lead to body metabolism. condition loss before, during and after the calving b) Heifers: Body mass (at least 70% of adult mass) period – increasing the risk of poor reconception and reproductive tract development must be results. On the other hand, when the FTAI occurs too complete (i.e. cycling). Focus to achieve these late, females may be calving on abundant grazing targets one month in advance of the regular with neonates having access to too much milk which breeding season of primi- and multiparous they cannot utilise appropriately – contributing to cows diarrhoea

21 <<< tively 48 and 56 hours after Prid®Delta device removal b) Where large groups of females have been synchronised, one must ensure that the FTAI takes place as close as possible to the recommended time elapsed since removal of the Prid®Delta device c) The net logistics is that with this protocol the cattle are handled only three in stead of four times – the latter when Oestradiol benzoate (Cidirol, Zoetis) only is used. 5. Choose bulls wisely a) If the female replacement

® offspring has the frame size a) Day 0: i) Insert the Prid Delta (Reg. no. G4037; Act 36/ 1947) intra-vaginal device. Disinfect that resembles that of the adapted dams that the introducer in F-10 disinfectant between conceive and calve earliest, we need to choose cows to prevent possible spread of venereal a bull with similar frame size. disease and bacterial infections. Use more b) Remember that the frame size of female off- than one introducer. Lubricate the introducer spring retained for replacement in the herd using Acriflavine & Glycerine. Place the determine the production and reproduction Prid®Delta device as deep as possible close efficiency of the future cow herd. Use a bull that to the cervix and ensure that the tail is pulled fits that frame size. This prerequisite is superior tight and emerges from the vagina; ii) Inject to any other trait that one may wish to increase 2mg Oestradiol benzoate (EB); iii) In Zebu type genotypically in the herd, even through the use cattle, especially heifers, use Prostaglandin of genomics F2α (Estrumate, MSD or Lutalyse, Zoetis) c) The use of sexed semen: Female sexed b) Because EB and ECP are not registered per se semen always to be used on the heifers and in South Africa, these need to be compounded best adapted, older cows that have proven as per veterinary prescription (V-Tech). In this themselves in a particular environment by regard the veterinarian, inseminator, semen having calved earlier; Male sexed semen company and farmer need to be aligned may be considered on cows that calved later regarding oestradiol requirements for the and preferably not on heifers to avoid calving planned herd synchronisation difficulties

® c) Day 8: i) Remove the Prid Delta device; ii) 6. Insemination proficiency Inject Prostaglandin F2α; iii) Inject Oestradiol cypionate (ECP, V-Tech), and iv) inject 300 IU a) Thaw straws at 35°C for 20 seconds; do not Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG or PMSG, thaw more than 5 straws at a time Chronogest, MSD Animal Health) b) Warm the pistolette before loading d) In terms of handling the EB and ECP protocol c) Use sanitary sleeves dictates that handling of the herd to be d) Deposit the semen in the anterior cervix inseminanted only takes place three times (FTAI e) Handle cattle as calmly as possible during the included) as opposed to an extra handling when process: No whips, prodders or dogs EB has to be used at 24 hours after ® Prid Delta f) A single inseminator should not perform more removal, instead of ECP administration at than about 40 inseminations in succession. ® removal. Prid Delta He / she should take a break before carrying 4. Ensure artificial insemination is performed on. It is unacceptable if one person attemps to timely perform 200+ inseminations on one day/ part a) Day 10: Inseminate heifers and cows respec- thereof, and then allows the bull in immediately

22 >>> afterwards to cover up the poor AI conception e) Evaluate the return on investment (ROI): The results due to inseminator fatique. value of genetic improvement is difficult to communicate monetarily, but it should at least 7. Actions after insemination increase the beef yield per hectare grazing. a) Prevent any stressful actions for the first 3 weeks In summary, the five main aspects which help ensure after FTAI: Heat stress, herding, co-mingling, conception and which are intimately related with applying home-mixed, agricultural pyrethroied each other, over which we have to take firm control, dips. All these affect embryo survival through and which ultimately determine the net result of FTAI, recognition of pregnancy by the dam – resulting are the following: in early embryonal deaths and return to oestrus later on in the breeding season. • Female fertility in terms of ovulation of a healthy b) To distinguish between FTAI conceptions and oocyte and a receptive healthy endometrium at follow-up bull conceptions, one need to allow a the time of implantation period of at least 10 days after FTAI before bulls • Synchronisation of the time of ovulation (LH peak) are introduced to be as tight as possible using an appropriate c) Use 1 follow-up bull to 20 cows. More cows per protocol and performed at the righ time of year/ bull may lead to lower conception on the first season synchronised oestrus after FTAI. In this regard • Sperm health post-thaw or in extended fresh bull breeders (stud) need not be concerned semen that FTAI will erode on bull sales or bull value. • Inseminator proficiency & insemination technique d) Perform pregnancy diagnosis, preferably by • The 2 weeks post-AI are most critical to ensure ultrasound from Day 25 after FTAI to evaluate regognition of pregnancy by the dam. the success of FTAI

23 <<< 24 >>> Keys to maximizing reproductive efficiency in a beef herd >> Dantas, F. G.1; Zechiel, K. E.1; Reese, S. T.1; Araújo, G.1; Rhinehart, J. D.1; Pohler, K. G.1 1 Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA Corresponding Aurthor: K. G. Pohler; [email protected]

Key Points: >> Timed AI and ET are effective methods to establish pregnancy in beef cows >> In order to increase the chance of pregnancy establishment and maintenance, cows must effectively respond to stimulus to synchronize a follicular wave; we must be able to control luteal lifespan, induce ovulation and deposit semen in the appropriate location. >> Decreasing progesterone prior ovulation followed by increasing post-ovulation increase pregnancy rates. >> Increased proestrus length prior to FTAI increased pregnancy rates. >> Increased estradiol prior ovulation, increased pregnancy rates. >> Estrus behavior, between CIDR removal and AI, increase pregnancy rates and decrease embryo mortality.

25 <<< Introduction The synchronization of estrus/ovulation and artificial variation of GnRH-PGF-GnRH injection sequence insemination (AI) remain the most influential with some differences in timing of insemination [3] technologies available to cattle producers for genetic Alternatively, a treatment with estradiol and improvement and reproductive management [1]. progesterone-releasing devices result in synchronous Fixed-time AI (FTAI) or TAI protocols eliminate the emergence of new follicular wave by induction of need for estrus detection and permit insemination dominant follicle turnover. On the first day of protocol, of heifers and cows at a predetermined time. In cows receive a progesterone-releasing device, such addition, timed embryo transfer, or TET, is another as a CIDR, and an estradiol injection. Seven to nine method, which allows for direct transfer of embryos days later the device is removed and an injection at a predetermined time without the need for estrus of PGF is given. In addition, a second injection of detection. Resulting pregnancy rates from FTAI estradiol is administered at a similar time to induce are similar to insemination following detection of ovulation of a physiologically mature dominant estrus (see Figure 1). Furthermore, FTAI and estrous follicle. Approximately 30-56 hours following the synchronization protocols increase the proportion of second estradiol injection, the insemination is heifers and cows that conceive early in the breeding performed [5]. The estradiol and progesterone season which has important benefits for reproductive approach and its variations are the most frequently management and beef production [3]. used synchronization protocols in Brazil and other countries that permit the use of estradiol. In the last 20 years, many researchers have conducted studies to improve efficiency in both protocols[6-11]. Their research contributed to a better understanding of reproductive physiology in cows and led to the current FTAI and TET protocols. This review will outline the physiology behind synchronization protocols and how they have manipulated it to improve pregnancy rates.

Figure 1 – Pregnancy rates during different times of Follicle Size gestation in beef cows (Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus Current fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) cattle may differ slightly following fertilization but protocols are 80-90% successful in synchronizing overall trend is similar.) ovulation[12]. However, ovulatory follicle size at GnRH-induced or spontaneous ovulation is variable An efficient synchronization protocol requires in cattle (Table 1). In postpartum beef cows, the following physiological processes: 1.) ovulatory follicle size was 15.0 ± 0.3 mm (mean ± Synchronization of a follicular wave following an std) with a range of ≤ 12mm to ≥ 18mm [13]. In the ovulatory stimulus (e.g. gonadotropin releasing preceding study, there was a significant decrease hormone [GnRH] injection) or induction of dominant in pregnancy rate following GnRH-induced ovulation follicle turnover (e.g. administration of estradiol of follicles ≤ 12.0 mm regardless of treatment. In or progesterone) culminating in development dairy cows, GnRH-induced ovulation of dominant of a physiologically mature dominant follicle at follicles resulted in a quadratic relationship between insemination, 2.) Control of luteal lifespan via follicle size and pregnancy establishment in which prostaglandin F2α (PGF)-induced luteolysis, 3.) pregnancy rate increased with dominant follicle size GnRH-induced ovulation of a physiologically mature to a certain follicle size and then decreased [14]. dominant follicle, and 4) deposition of semen at the Other investigators have also reported that induced appropriate time relative to induction of ovulation. ovulation of small physiological immature follicles The hormone injection sequence is based on the reduced pregnancy rates in both beef and dairy premise that the initial GnRH will induce the ovulation cattle [7, 8, 15-19]. of dominant follicle resulting in synchrony of follicular The ovulation of a physiological immature dominant wave followed by an injection of PGF 7 days later to follicle has been associated with reduced induce the luteolysis. A second injection of GnRH concentration of estradiol at the insemination and is administered 48 hours after the PGF to induce lower rate of luteal progesterone secretion after ovulation of a new dominant follicle and insemination insemination [3]. Perry et al., [16] reported a decrease occurs 24 hours later to the second GnRH injection in pregnancy rate and increased late embryonic [4]. Almost all FTAI protocols in the USA are a

26 >>> Table 1 - Ovulatory follicle size and reproductive success (embryo development, conception and pregnancy)

Species 1Follicle Size at which Range in follicle size Source Embryo Development/ Conception/Pregnancy Beef Cows ≤ 12.0 mm < 12 mm to > 18 mm Lamb et al., 2001 Beef Cows ≤ 11.3 mm 10 mm to 17 mm Perry et al., 2005 Beef Heifers < 10.7 mm >15.7 mm <10 mm to > 16 mm Perry et al., 2007 Beef Cows and Heifers Linear 7.5 mm to 18.0 mm Peres et al., 2009 Beef Heifers Linear 6 mm to 16 mm Dias et al., 2009 Beef Cows Linear < 9 mm to > 17 mm Sa Filho et al., 2009 Beef Cows Linear < 9 mm to > 16 mm Meneghetti et al., 2009 Dairy cows Quadratic 10 mm to 23 mm Bello et al., 2006 Dairy cows 15 mm and 14.5 mm 8 mm to 17 mm Lopes et al., 2007

1 Follicle size at which reproductive success was significantly decreased. Linear and quadratic refer to the significant line, which was fit to these data. Linear: As ovulatory follicle size increased there was an increase in pregnancy rates. Quadratic: As ovulatory follicle size increased there was an increase in pregnancy rates until a follicle diameter of @ 15.0 mm was reached in which time an increase an ovulatory follicle size decreased pregnancy rate. mortality following GnRH-induced ovulation of small ovulatory size follicles (≤11 mm diameter; Figure 2). The author attributes the decrease in fertility with lower circulating concentrations of estradiol on the day of insemination, a slower increase in progesterone after insemination, and a decreased circulating concentration of progesterone. However, the follicle size had no apparent effect on fertility when ovulated spontaneously (Figure 2). It is important to note that it is not the size of the dominant follicle that affects the pregnancy rate but the physiological maturity of the dominant follicle in postpartum beef cows following fixed- time artificial insemination. A dominant follicle that is physiologically mature may be defined as follows: 1) contains a competent oocyte, 2) secretes adequate amounts of estradiol during the preovulatory period, and 3) has the ability to form a corpus luteum capable of secreting adequate amounts of progesterone for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. There is evidence that follicle age can affect pregnancy rates in cattle. Cerri et al. [20]reported greater embryo quality at d 6 in dairy cows that were induced to ovulate follicles approximately 1.5 days Figure 2 - Regression analysis of the effect of earlier than peak follicular dominance. Additionally, ovulatory follicle size on pregnancy rates. Follicle it has been demonstrated that lactating dairy sizes at which pregnancy rates were decreased cows with 3 follicular waves spontaneously ovulate (P < 0.05) below the maximal pregnancy rates are younger follicles and have a greater conception rate indicated with vertical lines (Panel A). The size of than cows experiencing 2 follicular waves during follicles that ovulated spontaneously had no effect the estrous cycle [21]. In beef cattle, the age of on subsequent pregnancy rates or late embryonic/ the ovulatory follicle was investigated indirectly by fetal mortality (Panel B). Bridges et al. [6]. In that study, induced ovulation of follicles that were estimated to be approximately 1.5 d younger in cows resulted in greater pregnancy

27 <<< rates when cows with younger follicles were afforded an extended proestrus. However, Abreu et al. [15] reported no differences in pregnancy rates, follicle size at AI and progesterone after AI in cows induced ovulation of a follicle approximately 3 days younger. Thus, it remains unclear as to what the exact effect age of the follicle has on pregnancy success. Recent evidence from Dias et al., [22], suggest a potential effect of progesterone on LH receptors within the follicle that may play a role in some of these results. Progesterone The estrous cycle in cows can be divided in two phases, follicular and luteal. The follicular phase begins with pro-oestrus, followed by oestrus and ends at ovulation. The luteal phase covers the metoestrus Figure 3 – Relationship between serum P4 and diestrus and ends with luteolysis. During the concentrations (ng/mL) at time of controlled internal luteal phase, progesterone is the predominant drug release device (CIDR) removal (Day 9; solid hormone. The concentration of progesterone during line; P ¼ 0.08; n ¼ 449) or 7 days after fixed timed the estrus cycle regulates the secretion of GnRH artificial insemination (FTAI; hatched line; P ¼ 0.01; n from hypothalamus, which regulates the secretion ¼ 926) and probability of conception in postpubertal of gonadotropins (FSH and LH) from the anterior Bos indicus (Nellore) heifers submitted to a FTAI pituitary. FSH is responsible for the follicle recruitment protocol [28]. and LH leads the final stages of follicular growth, oocyte maturation and promotes the production and secretion of estradiol from the dominant follicle [23- 26]. Progesterone concentrations prior to ovulation have been found to suppress LH pulse frequency, which can affect oocyte maturation, follicular growth and estradiol production [27]. Furthermore, the probability of conception is positively associated with serum concentration of progesterone 7 days after FTAI [28]. Martins et al., [28] also reported higher serum concentrations of progesterone 7 days after AI in heifers treated with low doses of progesterone during the estrus synchronization protocol (Figure 3). – Effect of ovulatory follicle size on The authors also reported greater follicle diameter Figure 4 serum concentrations of progesterone from day 0 at FTAI, better ovulation rates and higher estrus (insemination) through 22 and the effect of ovulatory detection rates, between CIDR removal (d9) and follicle size on rate of progesterone rise from day 0 FTAI, in heifers treated with low progesterone when through 16 [32]. compared to those treated with high progesterone during the estrus protocol. Moreover, cows that were [29]. Preliminary data from Dias et al., [22] indeed induced ovulated a larger follicle and have greater demonstrates that high progesterone concentrations serum concentration of progesterone after AI [16] during the synchronized period does decrease LH (Figure 4). receptor expression in the granulosa cells of the High progesterone concentration during the hormonal dominant follicle in Nelore heifers. Future research is protocols has been shown to have a negative effect needed to confirm these observations but it seems in follicle growth, decreasing preovulatory estradiol that P4 leading to changes in pulsatility of LH could and post ovulatory progesterone specifically in be a major driver of fertility in these FTAI protocols. Nelore heifers. In addition, as mentioned above, high progesterone concentrations prior to ovulation have Estradiol been found to suppress LH pulse frequency, which Initiation of estrus occurs following a rise in serum can affect oocyte maturation, follicular growth and contractions of estradiol [30]. There have been estradiol production [27]. Recent evidence suggest multiple studies in different breeds of cattle and that LH can impact the expression of LH receptor environments that have demonstrated an increase in the granulosa cells thus directly effecting fertility in estradiol has a direct correlation to an increase

28 >>> in fertility, fertilization rates, and pregnancy preovulatory estradiol and estrus expression in a rates. Preovulatory estradiol coordinates several breeding program could help improve fertility rates physiological processes that contribute to the in a cattle herd and reduce reproductive wastage. establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Increased circulating estradiol levels have shown a Proestrus and Estrus positive correlation with follicle size [31], which has Proestrus is generally defined as the period from resulted in great fertility to FTAI. Cows exhibiting initiation of luteolysis to the onset of estrus during estrus within 24 hrs of TAI have also been reported which a dominant follicle and oocyte continue to have increases in fertility [32, 33]. Estradiol’s the maturation process. There is accumulating role during this period is multifaceted but the direct evidence that the length of proestrus can affect the effect on follicular cells within the maturing follicle is establishment of pregnancy in cattle. Regardless critical. It has been reported that increased levels of follicular diameter, luteal function and embryo of estradiol have a positive effect on preparation development were reduced when bovine follicles of follicular cells ability to luteinize and secretion of ovulated following a short verses a long proestrus progesterone (Progesterone’s role reviewed above). period [6, 40-42]. Reducing the length of proestrus resulted in inadequate luteal function following Increasing circulating concentrations of estradiol ovulation independent of follicle diameter [42]. In may also facilitate fertilization through more efficient the same study, pregnancy rates following embryo transport of the ova and sperm [34, 35]. A potential transfer were lower in cows with a shorter proestrus explanation of how estradiol affects sperm transport compared to cows with a longer proestrus [42]. is by altering uterine pH around the time of estrus. The preceding data provides further support that it Recent work by Perry and Perry [36, 37] have is the physiological maturity of the follicle and not focused on how exogenous estradiol administration simply size that contributes to establishment and and standing estrus changes uterine pH. Cows in maintenance of pregnancy. In the CO-Synch + estrus or supplemented with estradiol had increased CIDR protocol removing a CIDR after 5 days instead concentrations of estradiol and decreased uterine of 7 days will increase the length of proestrus pH compared to cows not displaying estrus (pH 6.7 and increased pregnancy rates in beef cows [6]. vs. 7.0 respectively). In addition, work from Roper Meneghetti et al., [7], reported an increase on et al. [38] has provided preliminary data that uterine pregnancy rates when length of proestrus is 2 days and vaginal pH at the time of AI or ET has a positive longer. In this experiment, the researchers increased correlation with pregnancy success. the proestrous administering prostaglandin two Serum concentrations of estradiol prior to the LH days before the withdrawal of CIDR. In addition, surge and ovulation appear to regulate changes recent evidence from Dias et al., 2015 [22] has in the uterine environment in cattle. Circulating demonstrated that increasing proestrus period in concentrations of estradiol have been shown to Nelore heifers mitigates the negative effects of high peak around 36 h before ovulation [39] and these vs low progesterone by evaluating the LH receptor in increases in preovulatory estradiol have been the dominant follicle. reported by multiple groups to increase pregnancy Estrus behavior has been positively correlated with success. Jinks et al., [1] reported donor cows with pregnancy success for decades. Although as the greater circulating concentrations of estradiol were industry has moved to more FTAI and TET the need for more likely to yield an embryo than an unfertilized estrus detection and record keeping has decreased. oocyte. In the same study recipient cows with Based on research data collected, it is clear that greater estradiol at GnRH2 also had an increased FTAI and TET work with a high degree of success, pregnancy establishment [1]. In addition when however, in all cases cows exhibiting estrus prior to estradiol concentrations at GnRH2 were <8.4 pg/ml FTAI or TET tend to perform a few percentage points a decrease in pregnancy was also observed. better or decrease pregnancy loss. Abreu et al., [15] It is clear that estradiol plays a critical role in the reported greater ovulatory follicle diameter at AI and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, higher pregnancy rates in cows that exhibit estrus however, that exact role remains unclear. Data behavior. Pohler et al., [43, 44] reported an increase reported above seems to primarily point to estradiol’s in pregnancy rates and bPAG concentration on d 28 ability to improve the maternal environment in the after FTAI in cows that expressed estrus prior to FTAI reproductive system but correlations with follicle size, (Figure 5). In the same study, the pregnancy rates embryo quality, etc cannot be discounted. Overall, and bPAG concentration increase as the intensity of increasing preovulatory estradiol or increasing the estrus increased in Nelore beef cows. Similar data proportion of females exhibiting estrus leads to has also been observed in dairy cows undergoing increased pregnancy success. Thus increasing the TET. Pereira et al., [45] reported that dairy cows 29 <<< 3. Smith, M.F., et al., Effect of ovulatory follicle size on the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in beef cattle. . Presented at XVI Curso Novos Enfoques na Produção e Reprodução de Bovinos in Uberlândia-MG, Brazil. Available at http://www.fca. unesp.br/conapecjr., 2012. 4. Pursley, J., M. Mee, and M. Wiltbank, Synchronization of ovulation in dairy cows using PGF 2α and GnRH. Theriogenology, 1995. 44(7): p. 915-923. 5. Martinez, M., et al., Induction of follicular wave emergence for estrus synchronization and artificial insemination in heifers. Theriogenology, 2000. 54(5): p. 757-769. 6. Bridges, G., et al., Decreasing the interval between GnRH and PGF 2α from 7 to 5 days and lengthening proestrus increases timed-AI pregnancy rates in beef cows. Theriogenology, 2008. 69(7): p. 843-851. 7. Meneghetti, M., et al., Fixed-time artificial insemination with estradiol and progesterone for Bos indicus cows I: Basis for development of protocols. Theriogenology, 2009. 72(2): p. 179-189. 8. Vasconcelos, J., et al., Synchronization rate, size of the ovulatory follicle, and pregnancy rate after synchronization of ovulation beginning on different – Pregnancy rates and serum concentrations days of the estrous cycle in lactating dairy cows. Figure 5 Theriogenology, 1999. 52(6): p. 1067-1078. of pregnancy associated glycoproteins of cows 9. Bridges, G.A., et al., Decreasing the interval that exhibited different estrus intensities. Cows that between GnRH and PGF2alpha from 7 to 5 days and exhibited stronger estrus by means of Estrotect heat lengthening proestrus increases timed-AI pregnancy dectors patch score had higher bPAG concentration rates in beef cows. Theriogenology, 2008. 69(7): p. on day 28 [44]. 843-51. 10. Sa Filho, O.G., et al., Fixed-time artificial insemination receiving an embryo that had exhibited estrus prior with estradiol and progesterone for Bos indicus to TET had decreased pregnancy loss compared to cows II: strategies and factors affecting fertility. Theriogenology, 2009. 72(2): p. 210-8. those that did not. Therefore, even in timed AI or 11. Meneghetti, M., et al., Fixed-time artificial ET protocols the added benefit of animals exhibiting insemination with estradiol and progesterone for Bos estrus cannot be discounted. indicus cows I: basis for development of protocols. Theriogenology, 2009. 72(2): p. 179-89. Summary 12. Binelli, M., et al., Evolution in fixed-time-from In cattle, fertilization generally occurs following > 90% synchronization of ovulation to improved fertility. of the time following insemination, but pregnancy 2014(Proceedings 9th IRRS). rate at the earliest possible detection (day 27) is 13. Lamb, G.C., et al., Inclusion of an intravaginal generally <70%. In this paper, we described some progesterone insert plus GnRH and prostaglandin F2alpha for ovulation control in postpartum suckled strategies to increase the pregnancy rates during beef cows. J Anim Sci, 2001. 79(9): p. 2253-9. synchronization protocol. The data provided in this 14. Bello, N.M., J.P. Steibel, and J.R. Pursley, Optimizing paper demonstrates the numerous variables that ovulation to first GnRH improved outcomes to each contribute to successful establishment of pregnancy hormonal injection of ovsynch in lactating dairy in beef cattle. It is also evident based on the data that cows. J Dairy Sci, 2006. 89(9): p. 3413-24. the current FTAI protocols in beef cows are effective 15. Abreu, F., et al., The effect of follicle age on pregnancy at generating pregnancies, but increasing success rate in beef cows. Journal of animal science, 2014. to a single ovulation is still an area that needs to be 92(3): p. 1015-1021. investigated. 16. Perry, G., et al., Relationship between size of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy success in beef heifers. Journal of animal science, 2007. 85(3): p. References 684-689. 1. Jinks, E., et al., Preovulatory estradiol and the 17. Sá Filho, O., et al., Progesterone-based estrous establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in synchronization protocols in non-suckled and suckled beef cows. Journal of animal science, 2013. suckled primiparous Bos indicus beef cows. Animal 91(3): p. 1176-1185. reproduction science, 2010. 119(1): p. 9-16. 2. Seidel Jr, G.E. Reproductive biotechnologies for 18. Sá Filho, O., et al., Fixed-time artificial insemination profitable beef production. in Proc. Beef Improvement with estradiol and progesterone for Bos indicus Federation. Sheridan, WY. 1995.

30 >>> cows II: Strategies and factors affecting fertility. 33. Perry, G.A., et al., Relationship between size of the Theriogenology, 2009. 72(2): p. 210-218. ovulatory follicle and pregnancy success in beef 19. Waldmann, A., et al., The effects of ovarian function heifers. J Anim Sci, 2007. 85(3): p. 684-9. on estrus synchronization with PGF in dairy cows. 34. Crisman, R.O., L.E. McDonald, and F.N. Thompson, Theriogenology, 2006. 66(5): p. 1364-1374. Effects of progesterone or estradiol on uterine tubal 20. Cerri, R.L., et al., Period of dominance of the ovulatory transport of ova in the cow. Theriogenology, 1980. follicle influences embryo quality in lactating dairy 13(2): p. 141-54. cows. Reproduction, 2009. 137(5): p. 813-823. 35. Crisman, R.O., L.E. McDonald, and C.E. Wallace, 21. Townson, D., et al., Relationship of fertility to ovarian Oviduct (uterine tube) transport of ova in the cow. follicular waves before breeding in dairy cows. Am J Vet Res, 1980. 41(4): p. 645-7. Journal of animal science, 2002. 80(4): p. 1053- 36. Perry, G.A. and B.L. Perry, Effects of standing estrus 1058. and supplemental estradiol on changes in uterine pH 22. Dias, H.P., et al., High progesterone concentratio has during a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol. J a negative effect on the expression of LH receptors Anim Sci, 2008. 86(11): p. 2928-35. in granulosa cells from Nelore heifers. Proceedings 37. Perry, G.A. and B.L. Perry, Effect of preovulatory of the 28th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo concentrations of estradiol and initiation of standing Technology Society, 2014. estrus on uterine pH in beef cows. Domest Anim 23. Ginther, O., et al., Selection of the dominant follicle Endocrinol, 2008. 34(3): p. 333-8. in cattle: role of estradiol. Biology of reproduction, 38. Roper, D.A., Characterization of the Reproductive 2000. 63(2): p. 383-389. Tract in Recipients for Bovine Embryo Transfer: pH 24. Gong, J., et al., Effects of chronic treatment with and Bacterial Presence. 2014. a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist on 39. Chenault, J.R., et al., Transitory changes in plasma peripheral concentrations of FSH and LH, and progestins, estradiol, and luteinizing hormone ovarian function in heifers. Journal of reproduction approaching ovulation in the bovine. J Dairy Sci, and fertility, 1995. 105(2): p. 263-270. 1975. 58(5): p. 709-17. 25. Savio, J., et al., Regulation of dominant follicle 40. Burke, C., et al., Effects of maturity of the potential turnover during the oestrous cycle in cows. Journal ovulatory follicle on induction of oestrus and of reproduction and fertility, 1993. 97(1): p. 197-203. ovulation in cattle with oestradiol benzoate. Animal 26. Schallenberger, E., et al., Pulsatile secretion of reproduction science, 2001. 66(3): p. 161-174. gonadotrophins, ovarian steroids and ovarian 41. Mussard, M., et al., Influence of premature induction oxytocin during prostaglandin-induced regression of of a luteinizing hormone surge with gonadotropin- the corpus luteum in the cow. Journal of reproduction releasing hormone on ovulation, luteal function, and and fertility, 1984. 71(2): p. 493-501. fertility in cattle. Journal of animal science, 2007. 27. Bó, G., P. Baruselli, and M. Martınez, Pattern and 85(4): p. 937-943. manipulation of follicular development in Bos indicus 42. Mussard, M., C. Burke, and M. Day. Ovarian follicle cattle. Animal Reproduction Science, 2003. 78(3): p. maturity at induced ovulation influences fertility 307-326. in cattle. in Society for Theriogenology annual 28. Martins, T., et al., Effect of progesterone conference and symposium., Columbus, OH. p. concentrations, follicle diameter, timing of artificial 2003. insemination, and ovulatory stimulus on pregnancy 43. Pohler, K.G., et al., Predicting Embryo Presence and rate to synchronized artificial insemination in Viability. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol, 2015. 216: p. postpubertal Nellore heifers. Theriogenology, 2014. 253-70. 81(3): p. 446-53. 44. Pohler, K.G., et al., Use of bovine pregnancy 29. Luo, W., et al., The role of luteinizing hormone in associated glycoproteins (bPAGs) to diagnose regulating gene expression during selection of a pregnancy and predict late embryonic mortality dominant follicle in cattle. Biol Reprod, 2011. 84(2): in postpartum Nelore beef cows. Theriogenology, p. 369-78. 2016. Accepted. 30. Allrich, R.D., Endocrine and neural control of estrus 45. Pereira, M., M. Wiltbank, and J. Vasconcelos, in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci, 1994. 77(9): p. 2738-44. Expression of estrus improves fertility and decreases 31. J. A. Atkins, M.F.S., * K. J. Wells,*2 and T. W. Geary†3, pregnancy losses in lactating dairy cows that receive Factors affecting preovulatory follicle diameter and artificial insemination or embryo transfer. J Dairy Sci, ovulation rate after gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2015. in postpartum beef cows. Part I: Cycling cows1. Journal of Animal Science, December 4, 2014. 32. Perry, G.A., et al., Relationship between follicle size at insemination and pregnancy success. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2005. 102(14): p. 5268-73.

31 <<< SCBA is for

The Senepol Cattle Breeders’ Association >> Mark Sanders, SCBA President

The SCBA is an international organization that was producers export their animals and genetics. All established to promote the Senepol breed, track of the funds used by USLGE are derived from US pedigrees, store and process data, as well as to tax dollars. This year we used USLGE funding to manage documents pertaining to registration and facilitate a trip to the US for Senepol breeders from transfers. Guatemala, South Africa and Brazil. The Senepol Cattle Breeders Association (SCBA) Our annual convention includes keynote speeches was organized on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands by top animal scientists and geneticists, as well as in 1977 under the name Virgin Islands Senepol the election of new board directors. When possible, Association (VISA) with the help of various United tours of local Senepol ranches are included as part States agricultural agencies. The first goal of this of the convention agenda. group was to identify all of the cattle on St. Croix that Senepol World, the SCBA magazine, includes a would qualify for the new breed registry. The first membership directory, convention recap and sire registered cattle were named Foundation Senepol. summary. The magazine is published three to four The first registered Senepol cattle were exported times each year. to the United States in 1977. The association name In 2001 we initiated a new registration system known was subsequently changed in 1987 to the American as Whole Herd Reporting (WHR). Our new system International Senepol Association (AISA). In 1991 requires breeders to report all of their breeding the association was renamed again to the Senepol females over the age of eighteen months in January Cattle Breeders Association (SCBA). Since 1991 each and every year. This new system helps us to the SCBA has had twelve members representing six predict income and budget accordingly, as well as to regions. improve the accuracy of our EPDs. These improved We have a paid staff, but also rely on numerous accuracies are due to the Whole Herd requirement third-party groups to aid in the operations of the that all calves born to the reported females in a association. One of these vendors, Quantify, a given year have to be reported for analysis. This database software company, has operated our breed complete report differs from the previous registry registry on a contractual basic since 2005. We also system where individual breeders registering their contract with Angus Genetics Incorporated (AGI). calves tended to only report and register the calves AGI processes our data, which in turn produces our they perceived were their best. With all bias and Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). subjectivity removed, we have a more accurate sampling for analysis. We are members of the United States Livestock Genetics Exports group (USLGE), a company that The founding Senepol breeders from the little manages and distributes funds to help livestock island of St. Croix laid the groundwork for the heat-

32 >>> tolerant, docile and easy-calving breed that all nurturing new ones. With that said, we have been SCBA members know and love. We have had great working towards a unified association where all success through our organization and its members the breeders of the world can work with a central populating countries worldwide with these highly- management system that can be entrusted to store adaptable cattle. We are proud to have been such an and process their data, track pedigrees and manage important part of the growth and success of Senepol documents. There is strength in numbers and we cattle and we look forward to a bright future with the hope you would agree. help of our global Senepol community. The SCBA would like to thank the Senepol Cattle We value the relationships that have been built with Breeders Society of South Africa for their ongoing our members, various scientific organizations and friendship and support. We look forward to a long the many Senepol associations around the world. and fruitful relationship. We look forward to strengthening those bonds and

33 <<< Jong verse by Sacramento Senepol Beestelersgenootskap BESOEK AAN DIE VSA 2016

AGTERGROND SCBA (Senepol Cattle Breeders Twee lede van die Senepol Beestelersgenootskap Association) kongres van Suid-Afrika is uitgenooi om die SCBA (Senepol VSA Senepol gebruik nog huidiglik net teel indekse Cattle Breeders’ Association) kongres in Baton (EBD) wat hulle deur Angus Genetics bestuur. Tans Rouge, Louisiana, VSA by te woon. Danie Nieuwoudt ondersoek hulle ‘n ander registrasie owerheid. Hulle en Wilhelm Oosthuisen het die kongres bygewoon. was werklik stomgeslaan om ons Logix sisteem te sien en ons baie akkurater teelwaardes (EBV). Die ander lande teenwoordig het ook belangstelling getoon om dalk in die toekoms in Logix te belê. Huidiglik het SCBA 67 lede waarvan die meeste van Brazilië afkomstig is. Brazilië, huidiglik 45 000 Senepols met 500 telers is die grootste in die wêreld. Dit is egter net Brazilië wat vinniger groei as Suid-Afrika. Lande soos Guatemala, Porte Rico, Venezuela en Dominikaanse Republiek se oorgrote meerderheid diere is afkomstig van die VSA. Dr. Ky Pohler het ‘n baie interresante referaat gelewer. Die referaat is ook in dié joernaal vervat. Amerika het huidiglik tussen 28 en 31 miljoen vleis beeste. Die state met die meeste beeste is SCBA kongres gangers onderskeidelik Texas-11.7 miljoen, Nebraska-6.45

34 >>> miljoen, Kansas-6.25 miljoen, California-5.2 miljoen Plaasbesoeke en Oklahoma met 4.85 miljoen. 69% van koei-kalf kuddes in VSA is nie hul primêre bron van inkomste South Polls nie. Net 50% van die VSA telers het ‘n vaste kalf ‘n Baie gewilde saamgestelde ras is die South Poll seisoen. 34% doen dragtigheidsondersoeke terwyl wat ‘n kruis is tussen die Senepol, Rooi Angus, net 10% van KI gebruik maak. Hulle mag nie Hereford en Barzona. Hulle het maar probleme met soos ons Oestradiol cypionaat gebruik in hul KI en die Rooi Angus in die warm, amper tropiese dele embrio programme nie. KI dragtigheids syfers is van Louisiana en Tennessee. Die Senepol met sy daarom maar tussen 50 en 60%. Wat dit betref is uitstekende aanpasbaarheid komplimenteer die ons ver voor hulle. Oor die algemeen boer ons baie Angus in dié dele. Die Barzona is nie ‘n baie bekende doeltreffender as hulle, veral in die stoetbedryf. ras in Suid-Afrika nie. Barzona is geteel deur gebruik te maak van ‘n basis van AfrikanerXHereford koeie Continental Genetics en dan genetika van Angus, Santa Gertrudis en Meeste Senepol genetika word gestoor by ander Zebu beeste by te voeg. Continental Genetics of te wel die ou Genex. Hulle is besig om vir hulle ‘n nuwe stasie te bou en behoort volgende jaar in te trek. Ek dink van die Suid-Afrikaanse telers het al met hulle te doen gekry in die verlede. Die hele proses werk anders as byvoorbeeld in die geval van CRV Xseed, Evolution of Semex. Jy moet in baie gevalle eers met die teler onderhandel en dan hanteer Continental die uitvoer van die semen of embrios verder. Die kontakpersoon by Continental genetics is James Chenevert ([email protected]). Julle kan hulle op Facebook ook kontak.

South Poll bul by semen stasie

Mark Sanders/Swanee Carver/ Carl Parker/John De Groote Uitstekende diere is by al die telers gesien. John DeGroote was werklik ‘n hoogtepunt. Sy diere is van uitstaande gehalte en daar is baie goeie KI bulle beskikbaar. Mark Sanders het ook uitstekende bulle vir ons vertoon. Persoonlik dink ek ons vroulike diere het beter uiers as hulle sin. As ek nou rêrig kritiek moet lewer sal dit, dit wees. Hulle bulle het goeie bespiering met goeie skedes. Ons het baie Plaasbesoek aan Carl Parker sterk bene en hoewe gesien maar ongelukkig baie swakkes ook. Wees asseblief versigting met invoere. Maak seker julle kry genoeg fotos en videos voor julle die besluit neem. Die semen is duur ja, maar niks is so duur as om ‘n verkeerde bul te gebruik nie. Doen julle huiswerk.

Danie Nieuwoudt saam met Sebastiao De Aguiar van Sacramento Farms

35 <<< Groep bulle by Mark Sanders. Let op die bespiering Vroulike diere by John DeGroote en lengte. Sacramento Farms Na die kongres het ek en Wilhelm die voorreg gehad om Sebastiao De Aguiar by Sacramento Senepol Farms te besoek, en wat ‘n voorreg was dit nie. Die plaas is weer terug in sy hande en Nova Vida bestuur dit nie meer nie. Hier het ons werklik goeie manlike en vroulike diere gesien. Daar is uitstekende semen beskikbaar by Continental Genetics. Sebastiao self is ‘n baie nederige en werklik aangename persoon om mee te werk. As enige person die geleentheid kry om hom te besoek moet julle dit aangryp. Okeechobee is ‘n baie interessante omgewing met Senepol verse by Swanee Carver reënval bo 1000 mm per jaar, en hoë humiditeit in die somer, maar ryp in die winter. Dit is werklik uiterstes en Senepol gedy hier. Dit is op sulke plekke waar jy werklik besef hoe aanpasbaar die Senepol is. Ek wil werklik net my dank betuig aan SCBA vir die voorreg om die VSA te besoek. Ek dink ons het met die besoek baie verwarring en probleme uitgeklaar. Ek is van mening dat ons in die toekoms nou kan saamwerk om die voortbestaan en groei van Senepol te bevorder.

Tipiese bul van John DeGroote

Dragtige Senepol verse by Sacramento

36 >>> Senepol the GROWING breed

Senepol in South Africa started in 2002 with only 3 breeders. The 3 breeders together had 31 females and 6 bulls. In the early days, with the limited amount of animals, embryos were the easiest way to grow numbers. Genetic material was very limited and most of the genetics were imported from the USA, used mainly on cows imported from Zimbabwe in the year 2000.

From 2007 to 2012 the numbers really started to grow Senepol has proven itself to be widely adapted with exponentially from 252 to 2060. 2016 ended with excellent characteristics throughout South Africa, 40 breeders farming with 3642 females and 1025 Namibia and Botswana. Senepols have been widely bulls giving a total of 4667 animals. An excellent used in cross-breeding programs with excellent upgrading system with animals moving through the results. Due to the fact that the Senepol is a fixed ranks from A to SP is largely responsible for this. breed with unrelated genetics to other breeds, they The fact that the breeders grew from 5 in 2006 to 40 quickly influence other breeds through heterosis. in 2016 makes Senepol one of the fastest growing The fact that Senepol is still, even with the upgrading breeds in South Africa, more so considering that system, a true Bos Taurus, it is a breed proved to be this happened in a period where there is an overall very valuable in cross-breeding. stagnation of stud breeders and even in some breeds a decline in breeders, and numbers.

<< Figure 1: Growth in Senepol Breeders and Animals.

37 <<< The importance of Senepol is also recognized in other countries. In Brazil, Argentina, Australia, USA and Uruguay we see the same tendency in growth in numbers. We also see it in the developing countries of Africa where there is a keen interest in Senepol with huge orders coming through that at this stage cannot be met. Large numbers of Senepols have already been exported to Namibia. With an environment that changes every year we as breeders believe Senepol to be Corran Judy SC 97-231 – One of the original cows that had the breed for the future. Senepol a huge effect on the Senepol herd in South Africa is not only a very adaptive breed it is also an easy breed to work with. Especially in South Africa we need to work more efficient with our cattle. This is why we are proud to say that we are BREEDING FOR THE FUTURE.

Corran 98-105SC – A bull that played a major role in the South African herd Breeding for the FU T U R E

Modern Senepol bulls have excellent muscling and still a wonderful temperament

38 >>> 39 <<< Brusellose is al beskryf as ‘n “emosionele

siekte”. Geen produsent is ooit bly om

die nuus van ‘n positiewe Brucella toets

te ontvang nie. Die siekte gaan gepaard

met beelde van kwarantyn, aborsie

storms, verlore produksie (verlies aan

melkproduksie, swak kalwers, verlaagde

fertiliteit in beide koeie en bulle), uitskot

van besmette diere en soönose. Eenvoudig

gestel: Brusellose is sinoniem aan verlore

inkomste en dit is ‘n gesondheidsrisiko vir die

boerderygemeenskap! Praktiese beginsels vir

Brusellosebeheer >> Dr Chriche du Plessis, MSD Animal Health

40 >>> >> Wat is Brusellose bakterieë kan mense besmet. Menslike brusellose, (Aansteeklike Misgeboorte)? veroorsaak deur Brucella abortus staan bekend as Wisselkoors en Maltakoors indien dit veroorsaak Brusellose is ‘n bakteriële siekte in beeste wat word deur Brucella melitensis, se mees algemene veroorsaak word deur die bakterieë Brucella abortus. simptome is soortgelyk aan griepsimptome; koors, Skape word besmet deur Brucella ovis en bokke met spierpyn, nagsweet, moegheid en in kroniese Brucella melitensis, maar spesie oorkruising bestaan gevalle kan hartklepontsteking en aborsies in wel. Die bakterieë leef binne in die liggaamselle, wat vrouens voorkom. Mans kan testikulêre ontsteking beteken dat die immuunsisteem nie die bakterieë en verlies aan vrugbaarheid ervaar met kroniese kan raaksien om dit te beveg nie. Die organisme infeksies. Indien die siekte vroegtydig gediagsoneer is baie lief vir koue toestande maar kan glad nie in word, is dit behandelbaar. uiters warm toestande oorleef nie. Die bakterieë kan tot 8 maande in klam, modderige grond oorleef. Hantering van infektiewe kalwings- en aborsiemateriaal, asook die inname van >> Hoe word beeste besmet met die ongepasteuriseerde besmette melk, is die siekte? hoofbronne van infeksie in mense en dus ervaar Die hoofroete van besmetting of oordraging is per boere, plaaswerkers, veeartse en abattoirpersoneel mond. Koeie is nuuskierige diere en sal aan ‘n die grootste risiko vir infeksie. Beide entstowwe op pasgebore kalf of geaborteerde fetus gaan ruik en die mark is lewendig en kan blootstelling aan die lek. So word die bakterieë opgeneem in die mond, entstof, byvoorbeeld deur ‘n naaldprik, lei tot infeksie. dring deur die slymvliese en versprei deur die bloedstroom na die limfknope en reproduktiewe >> Voorkoming, beheer en organe. Die bakterieë kan ook opgeneem word deur bestryding van infeksie die slymvliese van die oog en spene, dus speel Daar is geen enkele stap wat gevolg kan word om vlieë hier ‘n belangrike rol in die verspreiding van Brucella infeksie te voorkom nie. Die kompleksiteit die siekte. Daar is ‘n hoë risiko vir infeksie indien van die siekte verg ‘n totale aanslag op alle aspekte kunsmatige inseminasie met besmette semen van bestuursmaatreëls. gedoen word. ‘n Dragtige koei kan ook die infeksie Die eerste stap is om infeksie te voorkom sover oordra na haar ongebore fetus. Melk van ‘n besmette moontlik. Plase word algemeen besmet deur koei bevat die bakterieë en is infektief vir beide diere die inkoop van besmette diere, deur weiveld te en mense. deel, weiding te huur, kontak met besmette diere Die organisme groei buitensporig maklik in die op buurplase en die kontaminasie van voer- en besette baarmoeder, soveel so dat daar ongeveer waterbakke. Dus is die eerste punt om op te fokus, 100 miljoen infektiewe dosisse per nageboorte is. die aankoop van nuwe diere. Maak seker dat diere Dit beteken dat een siek koei die omgewing besmet aangekoop word uit ‘n gesertifiseerde negatiewe met genoeg bakterieë om 100 miljoen ander koeie kudde en maak seker van die toetsgeskiedenis te besmet. Om sake nog meer te kompliseer, neem van die hele kudde. Toetse op enkele diere is nie dit nie ewe lank vir koeie om tekens te wys van die goed genoeg nie. Koop verkieslik diere met ‘n infeksie nie. Die inkubasie periode is wisselvallig en entingsgeskiedenis, dit verhoog die immuniteit van kan enige iets van 30 dae tot 2 jaar neem. In daardie die hele kudde. Aangekoopte diere moet apart tydperk toets verse en koeie negatief maar is alreeds gehou word van die res van jou kudde totdat twee besmet. >> Hoekom is die siekte vir my as produsent belangrik? Brusellose is ‘n Staatsbeheerde siekte. Dit behels dat alle besmette diere aan die Departement van Landbou aangemeld moet word. Die Staat het die siekte geklassifiseer as ‘n Beheerde siekte >> Dr Chriche du Plessis, MSD Animal Health a.g.v. die volgende redes – dit hou ‘n gevaar in vir mense, dit lei tot direkte ekonomiese verliese en dit het ‘n impak op die uitvoer van lewende hawe. Brusellose is ‘n soönose – dit beteken die

41 <<< negatiewe toetse, 2 maande uitmekaar, na kalwing Indien toetse bewys dat daar infeksie op die plaas gedoen is. Indien enige verse aangekoop word, kan is, tree onmiddelik op. Neem verantwoordelikheid hulle status eers met sekerheid bevestig word deur vir dit wat op jou plaas gebeur en moenie toelaat om te toets na eerste kalwing. Moenie geflous word dat iemand ‘n vinger na jou kan wys nie. Laat slag deur ‘n negatiewe toets resultaat op ‘n 12 maande besmette diere onder ‘n rooikruis permit wat deur oue vers nie. die Staat uitgereik work. Dit lig die abattoir in van die status van die dier en dat personeel hulself moet Verminder die risiko van totale kudde besmetting. beskerm teen moontlike infeksie. Laat toets die res Werk in kleiner kampe met minder diere. ‘n Kleiner van jou kudde elke 30 dae om so vinnig as moontlik hoeveelheid diere sal dus blootgestel word, indien alle besmette diere te identifiseer. Brusellose is ‘n daar wel besmetting in ‘n kamp voorkom. Dit maak kuddesiekte en elke positiewe reaktor moet gesien die bestuur van daardie klein groepie diere makliker. word as ‘n bom wat wag om te ontplof, eerder as Werk soveel moontlik met ‘n vaste kalfseisoen. ‘n enkele dier wat voor geveg moet word. Positiewe Dit vergemaklik weereens die bestuur van enige diere wat in die kudde gehou word, verhoog net die besmette koeie tydens die kalwingsperiode wanneer risiko van verdere verspreiding. bakterieë in die omgewing vrygestel word. Indien ‘n melkery bestuur word, maak seker dat koeie op Brucella toetse is nie 100% akkuraat nie en gereelde sement of ander maklik ontsmetbare oppervlak toetse moet gedoen word om positiewe diere te kalf. Verwyder en verbrand alle nageboorte en identifiseer. Alle besmette diere word nie met die abortiewe materiaal. Moenie dat honde dit ronddra eerste stel toetse geïdentifiseer nie. Daar gaan heel oor die hele plaas nie. Teken ‘n plaasdiagram wat moontlik diere wees wat positief toets, eers tydens kampe, waterpunte en beweging van diere aandui. die derde of vierde rondte toetsings. As produsent Dit sal help om hoë risiko groepe, soos dragtige sal ek meer versigtig wees vir hierdie vals negatiewe verse, weg te hou van areas waar besmetting koeie omdat hulle my groter skade kan berokken, makliker kan plaasvind. Plaas eerder bulle, uitskot as die verlies aan koeie wat positief getoets het en koeie en speenkalwers wat bemark gaan word vir geslag moet word. Om van brusellose ontslae te slagdoeleindes, langs grensdrade. raak is nie ‘n vinnige en maklike proses nie. Dit neem tyd en deursettingsvermoë, maar dit is die moeite Beplan en voer ‘n entingsprogram uit saam met jou werd aan die einde van die dag. kuddeveearts. Daar is slegs twee geregistreerde entstowwe beskikbaar wat beesbrusellose beheer. Die entstof alleen kan nie jou kudde beskerm teen Brucella infeksie nie. Indien ‘n koei blootgestel word aan ‘n hoë genoeg konsentrasie van bakterieë, kan die weerstand wat die entstof verleen het, oorskry word. Volgens wet moet alle verse tussen die ouderdom van 4-8 maande ‘n enting ontvang teen brusellose. Ent so na aan 4 maande as moontlik. Dit verkort die periode wat die jong versie nie beskerm is nie. Daar word geen moederlike immuniteit oorgedra van koei na kalf deur die kolostrum nie. Skraagdosisse in ouer diere verhoog die kudde se weerstand, veral in areas met ‘n hoë infeksie- potensiaal. Onthou ook dat die toediening van ‘n enstof nie gelykstaande is aan immuniteit nie. Verskeie faktore bepaal of ‘n dier immuniseer na ‘n enting en daar is gevalle waar diere geen immuniteit verkry na veelvuldige entstoftoedienings nie.

42 >>> A comparison between BLUP breeding values and traditional indices: A revisit

>> Japie van der Westhuizen, SA Stud Book and Animal Improvement Association

The use of BLUP breeding values as a means of comparing the genetic merit of livestock has become common practice in animal breeding globally. Traditionally, especially for beef cattle (but also small stock and to a lesser degree for dairy cattle), individual animals were compared based on their own performances within their contemporary (test) groups. The performance of each individual was then compared to the group mean and expressed as a “ratio”. The resultant calculation is also usually multiplied by 100. In South Africa this ratio, expressed relative to 100, is popularly called an INDEX. To equalise the “playing field”, pre-corrections are usually made for the age of the animal and the age (and sometimes parity) of the dam of the animal (for maternally influenced traits, such as weaning weight). Comparison groups are usually separated for different sexes. In many cases Breeders’ Societies set sub minimum values on the eligibility of animals to be considered as breeding contenders or selection candidates, based on these Indices. BLUP breeding vales (also called EBVs, EPDs, ETAs or otherwise), the more accurate predictions of genetic merit, resulted from the initial theoretical developments of Professor Charles Henderson at Cornell University in the USA. Due to constraints in computing power initial genetic merit predictions were based on Sire models and were mainly applied in dairy populations. As abilities of computers exploded (in terms of memory expansion, storage capacity, number of processors and speed of calculation) and alternative algorithms were developed to deal with large matrices, model development and application lead to more accurate predictions of genetic merit for possible breeding animals. Current practices are usually based on, so called, “Animal Models” taking all relationships and measurements for multiple traits into consideration. BLUP breeding values address the serious

43 <<< shortcomings in the prediction of genetic merit of influence on the expression of the trait) neglecting animals considered as selection candidates. Indices the fact that all quantitative traits are influenced by only consider performance within own comparison genetic differences as well as influence from the groups but do not account for the most important environment. question, namely: “will these differences in measured It is also known that all animals receive a random performance result in similar values in the offspring sample of genes from each of it’s parents. This means and in other circumstances. Furthermore the question that the first assumption would be that the average also remains if these differences in performances genetic merit of all animals in the population (breed) are the result of the superiority (or inferiority) of the will be the “Parent Average” of all parents used, but sire or the dam of individuals. This last question each individual animal will deviate somewhat from was one of the driving forces for Henderson to that average (due to Mendelian sampling). Indices develop a system where the mating bias built into do not take the parents’ genetic merits into account simple averages of performance among progeny as the assumption is that all animals within the of different bulls could be accounted for. Simply contemporary (measurement) group will be of equal put, one bull’s progeny could outperform another’s genetic merit, prior to measurement. Put differently, simply because he was mated to superior cows and the prediction of an animal’s genetic merit, by means not because of his genetic merit. This, and the other of indices assume that the average genetic level of big factor leading to bias in favouring some animals all measurement groups are equal. This assumption over others, namely differences in environmental is obviously also not true. (non-genetic) effects, make BLUP breeding values more appropriate in predicting the genetic merit of One very distinct difference between genetic merit livestock. predictions based on indices and BLUP breeding values occur with maternally influenced traits, such Why are Indices stable but BLUP breeding as birth and weaning weights. When calculating values change from one evaluation to the an index for such traits, the maternal influence on next? the expression (measurement) is ignored. Selection Intuitively, users of predictions describing the making use of such traits is therefore very inefficient, genetic merit of animals will put more trust in, so especially in cases where the maternal and direct called, “stable” values. This often leads to a degree components are (genetically) negatively correlated. of scepticism in BLUP breeding values due to regular Modern BLUP models split these two effects adjustments or shifts in predictions. The basis of effectively and even makes provision for the, so prediction between the two methods needs better called, permanent (dam) environmental effects (and understanding before conclusions on their usability in pigs even the random litter effects), increasing the can be drawn. accuracy of genetic merit prediction. Per definition, the “breeding value” of an animal Stability of breeding value predictions with the refers to the number of additive genes it has, traditional indices (or ratios) therefore do not make favouring the trait of interest. In layman’s terms this them more accurate. Many of the assumptions are could be explained as, “how much of it’s superiority not as sound as for BLUP breeding values. In fact, (or inferiority) in measurement (eg. it’s weight) is due BLUP breeding values take many more sources of to its genes that can be transferred to it’s progeny”. information into consideration and adjustments are One could also say: “The animal’s value as a parent, the result of an increase in the accuracy of prediction, compared to the same values of other animals something that never happens in the case of indices. eligible as parents”. One can in fact say that relying on indices gives a false sense of security, especially on a global (breed) Indices, as defined by the measurement of an scale. Furthermore, users of BLUP breeding values animal relative to it’s contemporaries are calculated should always rely on the latest evaluation, where only once when the animal is measured or recorded. the information on which the predictions are based, It is never again updated, irrespective of how the is up to date. animal is breeding (in comparison to other parents). The values calculated also assume that this relative Figure 1 depicts the expected differences in the value or superiority can be transferred in it’s entirety ranges of indices in three groups of calves recorded to the progeny of the chosen animal. To explain; for weaning weight. an animal with as 110 weaning index is deemed to be a superior parent, even if the average value of it’s progeny is 95. In effect this assumes that the heritability is 100% (therefore no environmental

44 >>> From Figure 1 it is clear that the spread or variation in the different contemporary groups are different, resulting in differences in the prediction ability of indices. Group dynamics, as caused by environmental differences, are random and by chance. In relying on indices this is not taken into consideration at all. This also has a built in bias and influences selection decisions unfairly, especially where breeds insists on sub-minimums (independent culling levels) for animals to be deemed fit as replacements in the breed. Figure 2 illustrates the difference between indices from different contemporary groups, with different group means and variation in weights, and BLUP breeding values (especially where BLUP breeding values are standardised, like the Breeding value indices by SA Stud Book).

Figure 2. Differences in the way group means and variation in weights are considered by traditional index (ratio) calculations and BLUP breeding value predictions.

Figure 1. Differences in the variation of weaning weights and subsequent weaning index (ratio) calculations in three different measurement (contemporary) groups with the same mean.

45 <<< In conclusion, Figure 3 gives a summary of the main differences between the consideration in sources of information in the prediction of genetic merit between traditional indices and BLUP breeding values.

Figure 3. Illustration of the difference between the sources of information used in calculating a traditional index (ratio) versus a BLUP EBV

The next steps Traditional indices for individual traits and the application of independent culling levels (minimum standards) considered in selection programs for livestock have made a valuable contribution towards breeding of livestock. BLUP breeding values have, however now became the accepted norm to predict genetic merit. The next enhancement is the inclusion of genome information to increase the predictive accuracy, especially for young animals and for traits only measurable in one sex (such as milk and female fertility), can only be recorded very late in life (such as herd life) or is very difficult or expensive to measure (like feed intake, carcass and meat quality related traits). A very important development is the use of, so called “Selection Indices” (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE TRADITIONAL INDICES!) where BLUP breeding values are combined into a single economic value based on input costs and prices realised for the product of the production system. The Logix Cow value, Growth Value and Production value are such values, making provision for the selection of more profitable animals.

46 >>> Facebook HIGHLIGHTS 2015/2016

2015 JOURNAL FOTO COMPETITION What a highlight!! Excellent pictures were received from numerous breeders. The winning photo from Wilhelm Oosthuysen was already used in numerous publishing’s.

National Auction 2015 held at Circle C Ranches – Excelsior on 3 October 2015 Almost all the previous record prizes on the female animals were shattered. The average for the bulls were also bettered in a year where the conditions were not ideal for farming. The statistics were as follows: SP Bulls: Highest prize R75 000-00 with an average of R44 033-00 Appendix B Bulls: Average prize R25 062-50 SP Cow and calf: R30 000-00 SP Heifers in calf: Average R21 666-00 SP Cow in calf: R20 000-00 SP Open Heifers: Average R9 000-00 Appendix C 3 in 1: R47 500-00 Appendix C Open Heifer: R20 000-00 Appendix C Heifers in calf: Average R16 000-00

47 <<< Appendix B 3 in1: R17 000-00 Appendix B heifers in calf: Average R 17 278-00 Appendix B cows in calf: Average R19 000-00 Appendix B Open heifers: Average R11 857-00 Appendix A Cow and calf: R19 000-00 Appendix A 3 in 1: R26 000-00 Appendix A heifers in calf: Average R10 833-00 Appendix A Open Heifers: R 11 857-00

Lot 9 sold for R75 000-00

Lot 15 sold for R70 000-00

Lot 32 sold for R75 000-00

NAMPO 2016 – BOTHAVILLE 17-20 MAY 2016 Wilhelm Oosthuysen represented Senepol at Nampo 2016. Well done with an excellent exhibition.

Lot 21 sold for R47 500-00 (Record)

BIELIE MIELIE FEES – REITZ 11-13 FEBRUARIE 2016 Chris Nel from Eversar Senepol again showcase Senepol at the Bielie Mieilie fees in Reitz.

48 >>> CLOCOLAN FARM AND CULTURE SHOW – CLOCOLAN 18-19 MAART 2016 Danie Nieuwoudt from Ekland Senepol represented Senepol at the show.

BEEFCATTLE BREEDING COURSE (BLUP) – BLOEMFONTEIN 10-12 MAY 2016 Two Senepol breeders Danie Vermeulen en Danie Nieuwoudt attended the BLUP course in Bloemfontein at SA Studbook. DNAfor parentage testing verification Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) present in cells contains all the information needed for the controlled development and maintenance of the specific cell. These cells form part of tissue, forming part of organs, forming the organism. Normal somatic cells from sexually reproductive organisms (like birds and mammals) contain a single representative copy of nuclear genomic DNA from the mother and a single representative copy from the father, resulting in somatic cells containing 2 representative copies of genomic DNA originating from each parent. DNA present in all cells from the same organism are, for all practical reasons, considered to be the same – exceptions do occur, but these do not impact on the everyday use of DNA as a tool for identification and relationship testing.

1. Everybody is talking about DNA and all of animals that have complimentary characteristics in a sudden we have to “DNA” the animal of order to establish your own distinct stud character interest. within the breed as well as to further the breed in general. DNA verification of parentage allows What does this “DNA” mean? for a significant increase in parentage accuracy The correct term is DNA genotyping – this is a (especially when making use of multiple sires) process where techniques are used to identify and when compared to expected parentage. If your report on differences between the genetic make- record keeping is up to date, then DNA parentage up of the animals in question. Since both parents verification will serve as a confirmation of your contribute equally towards the nuclear genome breeding program, with minor discrepancies that of the offspring, the unique differences from each can easily be resolved. parent can be detected in the offspring, allowing We all know that we cannot personally supervise us to link the parent(s) to the offspring during DNA each and every action during the mating and birth parentage qualification. process, but we also want to have the confidence 2. Why do I need to perform DNA verification of to sell pedigree animals to any prospective buyer, my stud? who should have the confidence to buy DNA verified As a stud breeder you decide to combine certain pedigree animals from you.

50 >>> 3. What is the most important step of all? combination. What does this actually mean? Since you did not test every single animal that could The most critical step is to ensure that the sample potentially be the genetic contributor to the offspring, placed in the container, is the correct sample as you cannot say that the qualifying parent(s) is the indicated on the identification on the container. confirmed parent(s). This indicates that, like in all Testing laboratories only test what they receive and biological systems, there is no 100% accuracy and if any sample was submitted under the wrong animal that the normal accuracy stats for the markers used ID number, the incorrect DNA profile will be linked should be calculated for your specific population of to the provided animal ID. Clinomics provide full animals. traceability for every step where humans are involved – from video recording of all manual handling of the 6. How does Clinomics increase the accuracy of sample to full traceability of the robotic processes the results? that we employ to ensure that the sample we receive Parentage verification using DNA is most accurate is the sample we report on. when we analyse all potential mothers and fathers 4. How do I submit samples for DNA genotyping? against all offspring – unfortunately it increases the cost and since breeders are more convinced Most laboratories accept different sample types. We of maternity than paternity, they normally opt for work with the breeder on what is available. Cattle paternity analysis only. This, unfortunately reduced breeders normally supply us with hair follicles plucked accuracy significantly and we have put the following from the brush of the tail. Please visit our website in place to increase the accuracy. We use, in (www.clinomics.co.za for sampling instructions or addition to the 12 ISAG recommended markers, 5 contact us any time on the contact details provided FAO recommended markers for routine identification in our advertisement in this journal – we will provide and parentage, resulting in 17 marker that increases you with envelopes for sampling purposes). Please accuracy significantly compared to the 11 markers contact prior to sample collection – we would like to currently used as industry standard. In addition know the question you would like an answer for to to this, we also encourage breeders to send in all ensure that you send us samples from all the relevant their breeding bulls to be genotyped at no cost to animals in order for us to provide you with a timely the client – this allows us to perform paternity tests and accurate answer. Once your samples are ready using all the potential breeding bulls on the farm for submission, you simply send it to us via courier. as potential sires, giving us the confidence that, We will send you acknowledgement of receipt and once we identify a single qualifying sire, all closely process your samples – we will provide you with related sires are excluded. If we find more than one an answer to your question 10 business days after qualifying sire for the specified offspring, then we receiving all relevant samples in good condition. add 13 additional markers during a secondary panel 5. What does the results mean? run (at no cost to the client) to resolve the multiple We believe that it is of utmost importance to qualifying sires and provide the client with an answer provide our clients with the facts regarding testing to the question. It is imperative that we, as a DNA and provide solutions to problems. We, like most testing laboratory, provide the client with the most laboratories worldwide, make use of STR genotyping accurate results available. (also called microsatellites) to generate a DNA profile We believe that DNA parentage verification is and use this to perform parentage analysis. This is a valuable tool to support, confirm and correct the very same technology used in forensic sciences potential pedigree errors that might have occurred. in humans throughout the world. We generate a This will increase the breed management, allowing profile for the offspring and the potential parent(s), the breeder to sell with confidence and allowing these profiles are then compared with each other prospective sellers to buy with confidence from a using a computer programme and only animals that DNA verified pedigree herd. Please contact us or share and matches the profiles between offspring visit our website for more information on the variety of and parent(s) are indicated as qualifying parent(s)- services that we offer to the animal genetics industry offspring combinations. It is important to keep this in our mission to solve problems and create trust. in mind, because all the results from testing labs will indicate that, for the number of markers tested, the following animals qualify as parent(s)-offspring

51 <<< Guatemala (14 ° 38 ‘n 90 ° 33’ W) in Nahuatl: collaboration of the Embassy of the United States Guatemalan, “place of many trees” - officially, of America imported a small batch of females. This Republic of Guatemala - is a sovereign State located batch was diluted in blood with other races that in Central America, at its Northwest end, with a large were unknown to the benefits of the Senepol and native culture product of the Mayan heritage and the its importance in livestock production with high Spanish influence during the colonial era. adaptability and heterosis among others. Despite its relatively small territorial extension, It was not until late 2008 and early 2009 when Guatemala has a climatic variety, product of its breeders imported a large batch of embryos mainly mountainous terrain ranging from sea level to the from Sacramento Farm which started the boom of 4220 meters above that level. This auspicious that Senepol in Guatemala breeding. in the country there are ecosystems as diverse In addition to an important import of females and ranging from Mangrove Wetlands of the Pacific to males made around the year 2013 from herds like high mountain cloud forests. Parker’s Senepol Farm and Swanee Carver Senepol It borders to the West and North Mexico, to the Cattle farm. East by Belize, the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean With these imports began the development of the Sea) and the Republic of Honduras, to the East Senepol in Guatemala. Some breeder’s enthusiasts with El Salvador, and to the South with the Pacific like Finca Maria Olga, Finca La Perla, Ganaderia Ocean. The country has an area of 108 889 km². Las Morenas and others more eager to give the Its capital is the city of Guatemala, officially called disclosure that the race deserves, met starting in «New Guatemala de la Asunción». The language 2015 and formed the Asociación Guatemalteca official is the Spanish, although there are twenty- de Criadores de Ganado Senepol y sus Cruces three languages Mayan, them languages Inca and (ASOSENEPOL GUATEMALA) with what begins an Garifuna, this last spoken by the population Afro- intensive campaign to promote the virtues of the descendant in the Department Caribbean of Izabal. Senepol and the importance of using genetics of this In Guatemala, according to the agricultural survey race to raise levels of adaptability and heterosis in of the year 2013 the bovine population exceeded 3 the commercial cattle of Guatemala. million heads of which a high percentage has Zebu In late May and early June 2016 AsoSenepol influence (Brahman, Nellore and Guzera, Gyr) in Guatemala had representation in the 39 Annual combination with European producing milk breeds Convention of the SCBA in addition to participating such as Brown Swiss, Holstein and Simmental. in the tour of several States of the USA in order to Senepol cattle made its appearance in Guatemala in the mid-1980s when some breeders with The Senepol Cattle IN GUATEMALA

52 >>> learn more about American Senepol pure breeders and source genetic material for Guatemala. This is done in order to supply the growing demand for Senepol. I believe that, although there are currently few pure females, in not more than 5 years the Senepol will be the Bos Taurus breed most commonly used for terminal crossing in Guatemala. Breeders of Guatemala Senepol deeply appreciate the support provided by the SCBA especially Mark >> Jaime Recinos, Sanders and Carl Parker in the dissemination of this Revista Ganadería Integral beautiful bovine breed.

SENEPOL... The race that grows!

El Senepol EN GUATEMALA

Guatemala (14°38’ N 90°33’ O) en náhuatl: existan ecosistemas tan variados que van desde los Quauhtlemallan, ‘lugar de muchos árboles’ manglares de los humedales del Pacífico hasta los -oficialmente, República de Guatemala- es un bosques nublados de alta montaña. Estado soberano situado en América Central, en Limita al oeste y al norte con México, al este con su extremo noroccidental, con una amplia cultura Belice, el golfo de Honduras (mar Caribe) y la autóctona producto de la herencia maya y la República de Honduras, al sureste con El Salvador, influencia castellana durante la época colonial. y al sur con el océano Pacífico. A pesar de su relativamente pequeña extensión El país posee una superficie de 108 889 km². territorial, Guatemala cuenta con una gran variedad Su capital es la Ciudad de Guatemala, llamada climática, producto de su relieve montañoso que oficialmente «Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción». El va desde el nivel del mar hasta los 4220 metros idioma oficial es el español, aunque existen veintitrés sobre ese nivel. Esto propicia que en el país idiomas mayas, los idiomas xinca y garífuna, este

53 <<< último hablado por la población afrodescendiente afán de darle la divulgación que la raza se merece en el departamento caribeño de Izabal. se reunieron a comienzos del 2015 y formaron la Asociación Guatemalteca de Criadores de Ganado En Guatemala según la encuesta agropecuaria del Senepol y sus Cruces (ASOSENEPOL GUATEMALA) año 2013 la población bovina excedía los 3 millones con lo que se comienza una intensa campaña de cabezas de las cuales un alto porcentaje tiene para promocionar las virtudes del Senepol y la influencia de sangre cebú (Brahman, Nelore, importancia de utilizar genética de esta raza para Guzerat y Gyr) en combinación con razas europeas elevar los niveles de adaptabilidad y heterósis en el productoras de leche como Brown Swiss, Holstein y ganado comercial de Guatemala. Simmental aunque una gran parte del ganado tiene un 75% o más de sangre cebú. A finales del mes de mayo y comienzos de junio de 2016 AsoSenepol Guatemala tuvo representación El ganado Senepol hace su aparición en Guatemala en el 39 Convención Anual de la SCBA además de a mediados de los años ochenta cuando algunos participar en la gira por diversos estados de USA con ganaderos con colaboración de la Embajada de la finalidad de conocer más de cerca las ganaderías Estados Unidos de Norteamérica importaron un estadounidenses criadoras de Senepol Puro y poder pequeño lote de hembras. Este lote se fue diluyendo llevar a Guatemala nuevo material genético para en sangre con otras razas ya que se desconocían crecer en número de hembras que se trabajarán las bondades del Senepol y su importancia en la en un futuro próximo mediante transferencia de producción de ganado con elevada adaptabilidad y embriones (TE) y fertilización in vitro (FIV) para heterósis entre otras. poder llegar a cubrir la enorme demanda de toros No fue sino hasta finales del 2008 y comienzos Senepol que actualmente hay. del 2009 cuando se importaron un lote grande de Considero que, aunque hay actualmente pocas embriones principalmente de Sacramento Farm con hembras puras, en no más de 5 años el Senepol será lo que se inicia el auge de la crianza de Senepol en la raza Bos Taurus más utilizada para cruzamientos Guatemala. industriales en Guatemala. Además de una importante importación de hembras Los criadores de Senepol de Guatemala y machos hecha alrededor del año 2013 proveniente agradecemos profundamente el apoyo brindado de ganaderías estadounidenses como Parker’s por la SCBA especialmente a Mark Sanders y Carl Senepol Farm y Swanee’s Senepol Cattle Farm. Parker en la difusión de esta bella raza bovina. Con estas importaciones comenzó a desarrollarse el Senepol en Guatemala. Algunos criadores SENEPOL....La Raza que CRECE!! entusiastas como Finca María Olga, Finca La Perla, Ganadería Las Morenas y otros más con el

54 >>> 55 <<< Die Effek en Belangrikheid van Bultoetse in ‘n Ras >> Helena Theron, SA Stamboek

56 >>> n Suid-Afrika word daar ongeveer 1.35 oomblik word groei en voerinname dus wêreldwyd miljoen diere jaarliks in voerkrale gevoer, met tydens groeitoetse van jong bulle gemeet. Groei ongeveer 420 000 diere wat op ‘n spesifieke word gemeet deur die eienskap GDT (Gemiddelde tyd in die voerkrale is (www.safeedlot.co.za). Daaglikse Toename). Groeitoetse moet aan sekere Dit verteenwoordig ongeveer 75% van alle wetenskaplike vereistes voldoen word om te beesvleis wat geproduseer word. Verder, verseker dat genetiese verskille tussen die bulle volgensI BFAP (‘Bureau for Food and Agricultural korrek geidentifiseer kan word. In Suid-Afrika word Policy’) sal die vraag na bees- en skaapvleis met 20 groeitoetse onder verskillende voedingstoestande, to 25% groei na 2020 wat volgens die RPO ‘n groot van ekstensief op die veld tot intensief in ‘n voerkraal uitdaging is in terme van produksie. gemeet. Tans word inname gemeet tydens sentrale groeitoetse by geakkrediteerde toetsstasies, waar Vir die vleisbeesteler is dit weer belangrik en meer voerdoeltreffendheid akkuraat bepaal kan word: winsgewend om voordurend kuddedoeltreffendheid hoeveel voer (standaard rantsoen) het ‘n individuele te verhoog. Verhoging in voerdoeltreffendheid bul gevreet vir elke kilogram gewig wat hy gegroei kan veral ‘n groot effek hê. Daar word bereken het. Tydens groeitoetse word vleiseienskappe dat die ekonomiese effek van ‘n 5% verbetering soos oogspieroppervlak, vetdikte en marmering in voerdoeltreffendheid vier keer meer is as ‘n 5% ook gemeet met ‘n ultrasoniese apparaat. Indien verbetering in groei (GDT). Aangesien voerkostes tot daar genoeg metings is, is dit ook moontlik om twee derdes van die kostes van vleisbeesboerdery teelwaardes vir hierdie eienskappe te beraam sodat kan uitmaak, maak dit sin om voerdoeltreffendheid genetiese verskille tussen bulle bepaal kan word en te verbeter. Dit geld nie net vir diere in voerkrale nie, daar dus verder akkuraat hiervoor geselekteer kan maar ook vir die koeikudde op die plaas, waar meer word. as 70% van voer gebruik word net om die koeie te onderhou vir die grootste gedeelte van die jaar. Indien halfbroers en ander familie byvoorbeeld in ‘n sentrale groeitoets sowel as ‘n plaasgroeitoets In enige ras is daar genetiese variasie in gemeet word, kan genetiese vermoë vir eienskappe voerdoeltreffendheid, met ander woorde daar is diere soos voeromset bepaal word weens die genetiese wat geneties gerat is om hoër groei met laer innames korrelasies tussen eienskappe, maar veral deur die te kry, net soos daar individue is wat minder groei genetiese bande (‘genetic ties’) wat daar tussen maar meer vreet, met alle moontlike kombinasies diere bestaan omdat hulle verwant is aan mekaar. tussen-in. Die uitdaging is dus om geneties Die verwantskappe kan ook deurgetrek word na uitstaande diere, veral bulle, korrek te identifiseer en die koeie, sodat genetiese vermoë in die vorm hulle genetika deur die ras te versprei. van teelwaardes vir eienskappe waarvoor hulle nie Inname op die veld, veral van produserende gemeet is nie, bepaal kan word. koeie, is baie moeilik om akkuraat te meet. Op die

57 <<< Dit is egter gevaarlik om net vir een eienskap te eienskappe met wetenskaplik gefundeerde metodes selekteer, omdat daar genetiese korrelasies tussen gemeet word en teelwaardes en seleksie waardes eienskappe bestaan. Indien daar net vir een beraam word. Dit gee aan kommersiële boere die eienskap geselekteer word, mag daar onvoorsiene gemoedsrus dat die bul wat hulle koop, wel ‘n verskil veranderings, goed of sleg, in ander eienskappe sal maak aan hulle kalweroes en dus hulle wins. ook wees. Sou daar byvoorbeeld net vir lae inname Bronne: geselekteer word, gaan jy waarskynlik die diere selekteer wat nie groei nie. Die meer gewenste Beef Cattle Research Council - Genetic Improvements in Feed Efficiency. www.beefresearch.ca dier is die een wat baie groei, maar relatief tot sy BIF, 2015. Guidelines For Uniform Beef Improvement groei minder vreet en dus sy voer meer doeltreffend Programs Ninth Edition: the compilation and utilization of gebruik, eerder as die dier wat ook baie groei, maar performance records to improve efficiency, profitability meer vreet omdat van die voedingstowwe in die voer and sustainability of beef production. nie doeltreffend verbruik word nie. Die oplossing uit Nielsen, et.al., 2013. Review: Life-cycle, total-industry genetic improvement of feed efficiency in beef cattle: ‘n genetiese oogpunt is dus om vir al die relevante Blueprint for the Beef Improvement Federation. The eienskappe gelyktydig te selekteer. Die teelwaarde Professional Animal Scientist, 29, 559-565. vir voeromset neem dus inname relatief tot groei in Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) Business Plan ag. Wetenskaplikes kombineer ook meer van hierdie and Budget For Production Development: 2014 – 2018. eienskappe in een seleksie waarde, deur beide die oorerfbaarheid en ekonomiese belang van die eienskappe in ag te neem. SA Stamboek verskaf die Koeiwaarde, Groeiwaarde en Produksie waarde aan telers wat dit dan kan gebruik om diere op verskeie teelwaardes gelyk te selekteer. Aangesien ‘n stoetteler altyd diere behoort te teel wat aan die kommersiële boer se behoeftes voldoen, is die uitdaging om te bepaal watter tipe diere sal pas by sy kommersiële klient se produksie sisteem en nog steeds ‘n produk te produseer wat aanvaarbaar en bemarkbaar is vir die verbruiker. Die uitdaging vir kommersiële boere is om ‘n stoetteler of selfs ‘n ras te vind waarvan die bulle kalwers sal teel wat inpas by hulle produksie en bemarkingssisteem. Dit is dus belangrik vir vleisbeesrasse en –telers om nie net die koei-kalf produksie op die veld voordurend te monitor en te verbeter nie, maar ook om groei en vleisproduksie van jong bulle geneties te verbeter. Genetiese verbetering kan slegs plaasvind indien

58 >>> 59 <<< HM O E oeT M Y Senepol lyk? Senepol vier die jaar sy 15de bestaansjaar in Suid-Afrika. Soos reeds in vorige artikels gepubliseer groei die getalle teen ‘n eksponensiële tempo die afgelope paar jare en die toekoms lyk baie rooskleurig vir Senepol. Tydens ‘n keurders bosberaad wat gehou is in Augustus 2016 is riglyne vir toekomstige keurings bespreek om die ras verder te bevorder. Die riglyne sal strenger toegepas word vanaf Augustus 2016. Die basiese riglyne t.o.v funksionele doeltreffendheid verander nie, dit is meer die tipiese visuele, eienskappe wat aangespreek gaan word. M.a.w “HOE LYK ‘N TIPIESE SENEPOL?”

Senepol se beste eienskappe “claim to “scurs” toegelaat. fame” kan as volg opgesom word: 2. Die kop moet egter al tipiese Senepol eienskappe 1. Natuurlik Poenskop toon. Minder hare op die kop as op die lyf. 2. Hitte verdraagsaam Wollerige en gekrulde hare is nie gewens nie. 3. Siekte en insek verdraagsaam 3. Daar mag wit aan die onderlyn en selfs tot tussen 4. Vrugbaar die voorpote wees, maar oormatige wit vlekke 5. Maternaal wat teen die sye opbeweeg sal afgekeur word. 6. Ligte geboortegewigte 4. Wit op die uier is toelaatbaar selfs tot met SP 7. Rustige temperament diere 8. Baie sterk erfdwang 5. Wit kwas is toelaatbaar. 9. Kwaliteit vleis 6. Daar sal nie teen ligte geel kleur gediskrimineer Keurders en raadslede het na aanleiding hiervan word nie. Natuurlik net geen swart nie. besluit om die volgende basiese voorskrikte aan 7. Geboorte-, speen-, 12 maande- en/of 18-maande telers voor te lê om keurings in die toekoms meer indekse moet beskikbaar wees. As meer as uniform te maak om uiteindelik ‘n tipiese Senepol een van die indekse onder 90 is, kan daar teen daar te stel wat orals dieselfde lyk en eienskappe die vers gediskrimineer word. Dit is hier waar het. teelwaardes belangrik is. Die keurder sal eers na >> Vroulike diere die teelwaardes en genetika kyk voor die besluit geneem word. As die indekse nie beskikbaar Aanhangsel A Vroulike diere: is nie, sal die dier nie gekeur word nie. Vers 1. By aanhangelsel A diere word los horings of moet voor 39 maande kalf.

60 >>> Aanhangsel B vroulike diere: SP & C vroulike dier 1. Geen los horings of “scurs” mag teenwoordig 1. 100% Poenskop. Geen teken van enige horing wees nie. Los doppies wat afgevryf kan word is strukture nie. toelaatbaar. 2. Haarkleed moet kort en glad vertoon. 2. Die haarkleed sal dieselfde as die A dier gekeur 3. Gesig en nek moet skoon en glad vertoon. word. 4. Wit net op die onderlyn toelaatbaar. 3. Die gesig moet egter tipies Senepol al wees. 5. Geen oormatige naelvel. Prominente poenskop met wenkbroue (Foto 1). 6. Sal baie streng gekeur word op funksionaliteit. 4. Wit net op die onderlyn m.a.w agter die naelvel. 7. Geboorte-, speen-, 12 maande- en/of 18-maande 5. Wit op uier en wit kwas aanvaarbaar. indekse moet beskikbaar wees. As meer as 6. Geboorte-, speen-, 12 maande- en/of 18-maande een van die indekse onder 90 is kan daar teen indekse moet beskikbaar wees. As meer as die vers gediskrimineer word. Dit is hier waar een van die indekse onder 90 is, kan daar teen teelwaardes belangrik is. Die keurder sal eers na die vers gediskrimineer word. Dit is hier waar die teelwaardes en genetika kyk voor die besluit teelwaardes belangrik is. Die keurder sal eers na geneem word. As die indekse nie beskikbaar die teelwaardes en genetika kyk voor die besluit is nie sal die dier nie gekeur word nie. Vers geneem word. As die indekse nie beskikbaar moet voor 39 maande kalf. Vers is nie sal die dier nie gekeur word nie. Die visuele, funksionele, produksie en genetika moet voor 39 maande kalf. speel saam ‘n rol om te bepaal of ‘n dier goedgekeur of afgekeur word. In die vroulike diere se geval sal hulle eerder af gegradeur word indien daar twyfel is. Deur ‘n dier af te gradeur kan daar met korrektiewe paring relatief maklik foute gekorregeer word. Die ideale tyd om ‘n vers aan te bied vir keuring is as sy alreeds dragtig is. Moet ten minste 18 maande oud wees. >> Bulle Al die aanhansel bulle asook SP bulle gaan in die toekoms op dieselfde platform beoordeel word: 1. Die kop moet tipies Senepol wees m.a.w Poenskop met prominente oogbanke 2. Kop en nek moet glad wees. Manlike kop kan natuurlik meer hare hê 3. Kan wit op die onderlyn hê 4. Gladde haarkleed oor die hele lyf

61 <<< Foto 2: Manlike kop en gladdde lyf is belangrik. Alle bulle B tot SP moet Poenskop wees.

Bulle moet duidelike manlike eienskappe vertoon 5. Geel tot rooi aanvaarbaar Foto 3: 6. Geen hoewe mag gesny word sonder vooraf konsultasie met ‘n keurder nie, veral in die geval van jong bulle. Senepol is bekend vir sy sterk hoewe en ons wil graag die eienskap beskerm. 7. Geboorte-, speen-, 12 maande- en/of 18-maande indekse moet beskikbaar wees. As meer as een van die indekse onder 90 is, kan daar teen die bul gediskrimineer word. Dit is hier waar teelwaardes belangrik is. Die keurder sal eers na die teelwaardes en genetika kyk voor die besluit geneem word. As die indekse nie beskikbaar is nie sal die dier nie gekeur word nie. 8. Bulle moet 18 maande oud wees voor hulle vir Foto 4: Tipiese Senepol bul. Toonbeeld van manlikheid en keuring aangebied kan word. vleiseienskappe

62 >>> 63 <<< Hoëdruk en ultra hoëdruk beweiding

>> Hennie du Toit, Vee- en Weidingkundige, Landboubestuursdienste, NWK Beperk

Ons het nog altyd in veranderende tye geleef, maar deesdae verander die tye vinniger, meer drasties en meer onvoorspelbaar! Die wêreldpopulasie behoort na alle waarskynlikheid teen 2050 sowat 10 biljoen mense te wees. Ons benodig dus beter en meer voeding, beter gesondheid en meer doeltreffende energieverbruik. Die harde werklikheid is egter dat die landboubedryf nie in staat is om die hoeveelheid mense met die huidige landbou-, omgewings- en ekonomiese stelsels te voed nie!

ie afgelope dekade het hongersnood gevorm om die voortbestaan van die grasplant te wêreldwyd toegeneem – ten spyte bewerkstellig. Wanneer die plant steeds nie benut van die tegnologiese vooruitgang! (ontblaar of bewei) word nie, sal die voedselreserwes Die globale klimaatsveranderinge wat nou in oormaat geproduseer word, na die wortels is ook belangrik om in ag te neem. gekanaliseer word om daar gestoor te word. Hierdie Ons huidige produksiepraktyke is siklus herhaal homself van nou af. dus onvoldoende en moet nuwe metodes ontwikkel D Indien die plant baie kort bewei is, word meer reserwes word om produksie te verhoog. Dit moet plaasvind onttrek om die blare te begin produseer, en dit neem sonder om die omgewing te benadeel! Verbeterde ook langer vir die hergroei om ‘n aanvang te neem. produksiepraktyke sal ingespan moet word om Wanneer die blare net begin groei het en daar is nog die produksie sodanig te verhoog om die groot nie reserwes terug na die wortels nie, en die plant populasie te voed. word weer bewei, word nog meer reserwes onttrek. Om ‘n plaas se drakrag suksesvol met sowat Indien hierdie proses voortgaan, soos wanneer 600% te verhoog, terwyl die weidingtoestand koeie in ‘n groot kamp vir ‘n lang periode gejaag verbeter, is beslis ‘n praktyk om by die bestaande word, sal die wortelreserwes later uitgeput raak en boerderypraktyke in te skakel. sal die graspolle ál kleiner word. Die wortelstelsel sal al kleiner begin raak omdat soveel van die >> PLANTWORTEL FISIOLOGIE reserwes onttrek is sonder om enige reserwes terug Plante se wortels dien as stoororgaan vir te plaas. Die groeikragtigheid van hierdie weiding voedselreserwes. Hierdie reserwes word gebruik sal nou daal soos die polle kleiner word. Nou is die om nadat die plant afgewei is, weer te begin blare weiding in ‘n sneeubaleffek gewikkel – die gras groei produseer. Sodra hierdie blare weer begin groei stadiger omdat die wortels al kleiner word, en die het, kan hulle begin om deur middel van fotosintese wortels word al kleiner omdat die weiding te kort na nog meer blare te produseer. Sodra die vegetatiewe mekaar bewei word. Op hierdie stadium sal hergroei groeifase ‘n einde bereik het, sal die plant oorgaan baie lank neem om te begin en sal dit tipies eers na die reproduktiewe fase. Hier word die saad begin plaasvind na ‘n goeie reënbui (FIGUUR 1).

64 >>> Beeste het binne 12 tot 14 dae nadat hulle in ‘n nuwe kamp ingejaag is, alles benut wat hulle wou. Daarna begin hulle die hergroei afwei van die plante wat reeds benut was – dis die smaakliker en meer voedsame weiding. Maar dis ook dié weiding wat nie benut moet word nie aangesien dit nog nie reserwes in die wortelstelsel teruggeplaas het nie! Dit is dus baie nadelig vir die plant en sy wortelstelsel om so kort na mekaar benut te word. Hoëdruk beweiding begin waar diere in sodanig klein kampies gejaag word, dat hulle binne 14 dae die hele kamp afgewei het. Dit is die beste om al >> Figuur 1: Swak weiding wat lank sal neem om uit te die koeie in een groot trop te laat wei. Die duimreël groei teenoor ‘n goeie rooigrasstand is dat die kampgrootte hier hoogstens 20% van die tropgrootte moet wees. Dus, as die trop uit 100 diere bestaan, moet die kampe nie groter as 20 ha wees nie. Nou behoort die trop die kamp binne 14 dae skoon te gewei het. Namate die kampe nog kleiner word, word later oorgegaan na ultra hoëdruk beweiding. Meestal word hier van elektriese draadjies gebruik gemaak aangesien elke kamp verder verklein word. Hier word die trop diere in ‘n klein oppervlak vir sowat 1 uur aangehou voordat hulle na die volgende strook weiding verskuif word (FIGUUR 3). Die stroke kan sowat 50 meter breed wees en die stuk wat voorsien word, is dan so lank soos die trop koeie – m.a.w. Die smaaklike en gewenste spesies sal nou begin hulle staan die strook vol en die diere wei die gras in uitsterf weens oorbenutting. Die drakrag van elkeen se onmiddellike omgewing. sodanige weiding is nou reeds baie laag en kan nie meer volhoubaar daarop geproduseer word nie. Daar is baie navorsing gedoen oor aanhoudende beweiding en die invloed daarvan op wortelgrootte (FIGUUR 2).

>> Figuur 3: Koeie in ultra hoëdruk beweidingstelsel

>> Figuur 2: Die invloed van aanhoudende beweiding op wortelgrootte

>> HOëDRUK OF ULTRA HOëDRUK BEWEIDING Hierdie beweidingstelsel word op kort beweidingsperiodes en lang rusperiodes gebaseer. 65 <<< Aangesien die diere die onsmaaklike spesies ook • Die beter benutting van elke kamp veroorsaak benut, sal dit baie langer neem om dieselfde kamp ook beter kwaliteit gras wat in die toekoms weer te benut. Die beste is om die soetveld slegs in benut gaan word. Daar is reeds gewerk by die wintermaande te benut en die hele groeiseisoen veeprodusente waar die voorkoms van rooigras te laat rus. Suurveld en vleiweidings daarenteen, binne 2 groeiseisoene vermenigvuldig het. Die moet verkieslik sowat elke 2 maande benut word. veld is gelaat om te rus tydens die groeiseisoen, Met langer tussenposes sal die veld te suur en en is dan in die wintermaande benut. onsmaaklik word. • Onbenutte gras soos dekgras en selfs Wanneer swak veld begin om op hierdie stelsel terpentyngras in sommige gevalle word benut bestuur te word, behoort die swakste veld vir deur die beeste. Namate die grasse al meer die totale groeiseisoen nie bewei te word nie. Dit benut word, word hulle al smaakliker en word moet egter gedurende die wintermaande ordentlik hulle benutting al beter. afgewei word. Die grasse se wortels sal vinnig begin • Brandbane en padreserwes kan gewei word. herstel en soos wat die reserwes begin toeneem, sal Dit is baie meer doeltreffend as brandstroke die wortelstelsel al sterker word. Die grasproduksie aangesien dit baie breër gewei kan word wat en spesiesamestelling sal ook met rasse skrede veldbrande doeltreffend kan keer (FIGUUR 5 en verbeter. Oor die verloop van twee seisoene behoort voorblad). ‘n groot verbetering in die spesiesamestelling waargeneem te word. >> VOORDELE VAN ULTRA HOëDRUK BEWEIDING Die voordeel daarvan, buiten die makliker hantering, is die volgende: • Die beeste word baie mak weens die baie hantering. Dit vergemaklik die werk met die diere geweldig baie. • Die diere trap die kaal kolle in die veld los en die trapeffek vorm ‘n saadbed deur die deurlugting, deurligting asook waterindringing wat verbeter (FIGUUR 4). >> Figuur 5: Brandbane gewei

• Ultra hoëdruk beweiding voorsien elke uur vars voer waar geen dier op getrap, gemis en ge- urineer het nie. • Soos die weiding verbeter, verbeter die drakrag ook aansienlik en kan meer diere op dieselfde plaas aangehou word. Die doeltreffendheid van veeproduksie kan baie verbeter word indien ‘n drakrag van 1 koei/hektaar behaal word. Hierdie drakrag is baie haalbaar en word reeds op verskeie plekke in die Noordwes Provinsie behaal. >> OPSOMMING Elke veeboer het ‘n verantwoordelikheid om voedselproduksie te optimaliseer om sodoende die groeiende populasie te voed. Dit moet tesame met >> Figuur 4: Die trapeffek op kaal kolle hulpbronbewaring en –verbetering geskied. Daar is tegnologie om in te span om hierdie doelwitte te • Dit veroorsaak dat met die eerste reën ‘n groot behaal. hoeveelheid saad wat reeds in die grond voorkom, ontkiem en die kaal kolle in die veld so U as veeboer is dus eintlik verplig om u herstel. Selfs daar waar lekbakke vir jare gestaan weidingstrategie te verander om meer doeltreffend u het, kan die kaal kolle in een seisoen verdwyn. weidings te benut, meer diere op dieselfde oppervlak

66 >>> aan te hou en dus meer voedsel te produseer. In >> BRONNELYS die proses sal u as veeboer ook meer winsgewend Harvey, K, 2014. Persoonlike mededelings. wees! Die tyd is verby om net nog ‘n plaas by te koop as die plafon bereik is – ons moet nou ons Jooste, Chris, 2003. Voorkom ‘droogtes’ met produksie vertikaal uitbrei om steeds volhoubaar en veldbestuurstelsel. Landbou.com. ekonomies te produseer. Ultra Hoëdruk Beweiding Tainton, N.M., 1981. Veld and Pasture Management in is een van sodanige maniere om hierdie doelwit te South Africa. behaal. Probeer dit gerus! Skakel die veekundige United States Department of Agriculture, 2011. van NWK Beperk om u met die implementering Implementing Ultra High Density Grazing. behulpsaam te wees! Zietsman, J, 2011. Drukbeweiding. Indien enige navrae ontstaan, kan die outeur by 084 515 6817 of [email protected] gekontak word.

67 <<< Vaccines and the Importance of Cold Chain Management

It is Friday morning; you are in town running the end of week errands before collecting the children from school. On the shopping list is ice-cream!

• When do you buy the ice-cream? the ice-cream! However, the potential financial consequence of ignoring cold chain management >> At 10 am? while transporting a vaccine is far more serious >> Last task before collecting the children? when compared to the impact of eating or writing off >> After collecting the children, on your way out a tub of refrozen ice-cream. of town? A break in the vaccine cold chain is unfortunately not • How are you going to transport the ice-cream as visible to the eye as a tub of refrozen ice-cream. home? The result however is a vaccine which is ineffective >> Packed in a plastic supermarket bag? in protecting (immunising) the vaccinated animal >> Packed in an insulated cooler bag? against the specific disease targeted by the vaccine. >> Packed in an insulated cooler bag with frozen As we farm with herds/flocks of livestock, vaccinating ice-packs? from a bottle of vaccine rendered ineffective by a • Once home, do you break in cold chain results in 20 to 100 (or more) >> first have a cup of coffee, make the children unprotected animals. In this situation the impact a snack and then unpack the car? of disease could have dire consequences in lost >> immediately transfer the ice-cream to the production or dead animals! freezer? Your business and source of income is at risk! Obvious answers with an obvious consequence if Cold chain management is only as good as the the wrong decision is made. weakest link in the process of transferring vaccine from the site of manufacture right through to point >> MELTED ICE-CREAM!! of administration to an animal. If the cold chain is We all know what happens if we get it wrong and then disregarded at any point along this path the damage put the melted ice-cream into the freezer! It is never done to the vaccine is irreversible, much as the the same. The ice-cream freezes again, but quality refrozen ice-cream. is affected. A layer of gooey stuff at the bottom with not so tasty “ice-cream” on top! On Farm Critical Control Points for Vaccine Cold Chain Management. So what relevance does buying ice- • Only purchase vaccines registered with the cream have to vaccines and cold chain Registrar of Act 36 of 1947 (Recognised by a “G” management? number, e.g. G2643). The common logic employed to get your ice-cream home frozen was good “cold chain management”! >> Registered vaccines have been evaluated for safety and efficacy and the manufacturer Vaccines are temperature sensitive products satisfies the requirements of vaccine that require the same care in transportation as manufacture.

68 >>> >> A vaccine manufacturer with registered MSD Animal Health Approved Vaccine products will fulfil the requirements in terms Distributors of cold chain management. As a market leader in the supply of vaccines to • Only purchase vaccines from a reputable the livestock industry MSD Animal Health has distributor (veterinarian, co-operative, veterinary recognised the importance of a network of “Approved distributor) who maintains the cold chain. Vaccine Distributors” who share our passion and • Always transport vaccines in an insulated understanding of vaccines. container with sufficient frozen ice-packs to keep Approved Vaccine Distributors are audited annually the desired temperature to point of destination. with specific focus on three critical control points:

• On farm keep vaccine in a reliable refrigerator. • RECEIPT of vaccine from the supplier: Was >> Monitor fridge temperature daily with a min/ the cold chain maintained? max thermometer. • STORAGE of vaccine in outlet: Procedures >> Temperature range of 4 - 8°C, do not freeze implemented to guarantee the cold chain is vaccines. maintained and monitored 24/7. >> Have a contingency plan in case of fridge • Vaccine purchased in failure or extended power failure (Sufficient DISPATCH of vaccine: outlet is suitably packed in an insulated container cooler box space and frozen ice-packs). with frozen ice-packs to ensure the cold chain is • Transport vaccine to and keep in an insulated maintained to your destination. container with sufficient frozen ice-packs at the All staff responsible for the receipt, storage and working area where animals are to be vaccinated. dispatch of vaccines are trained in the importance of • Keep vaccine out of direct sunlight. cold chain management. • Administer reconstituted live vaccines within 30 For peace of mind purchase your vaccines from an minutes. MSD Animal Health Approved Vaccine Distributor. • Do not attempt to preserve reconstituted To locate your nearest Approved Vaccine Distributor vaccines in a fridge for future use. They will no please visit our website: www.msd-animal-health. longer be viable. co.za • Always consult the vaccine package insert for the correct information on storage, handling, dose, route of administration and possible precautions. • Never use expired vaccines.

69 <<< vs.Direction Destination >> Kit Pharo, Pharo Cattle Co., www.PharoCattle.com

Does your breeding program have a destination, or does it simply have a direction? Most ranchers have no specific target to shoot for. They have a direction, but they haveno destination. They are moving, but they don’t know where they are going. If you don’t know where you are going, how are you going to know when you get there?

Rick Bourdon, from Colorado State University, was 400 pounds and increase that to 500 pounds, and once quoted as saying, “To breed for optimum increase that to 600 pounds, and on and on. That means to have a target in sight beyond which first 50 pounds might be easy to achieve, but every you don’t want to go. If your goal is to maintain an increase after that will become more and more optimum level for any trait, the evidence of your difficult and expensive. For every dollar invested accomplishment is not visible change, but lack you will receive less and less in return. When you of it.”We agree wholeheartedly. Once you reach go beyond your optimum level, your net profits will your optimum destination or goal, you should try to actually begin to decrease. I know several ranchers maintain that level without going any further. who have finally concluded that their optimum (most profitable) weaning weight is only 400 to 450 pounds. Direction. A breeding program that has a direction, but no destination, would constantly be trying to Remember, you can’t get something for nothing. increase or decrease one or more traits. For example, Every increase in production comes at a cost. It’s it would increase a 350 pound weaning weight to ironic, but several ranches that were put together and paid for with 350-pound calves are now struggling and going broke with 600-pound calves. What went wrong?

70 >>> keep pushing on in the same direction. Direction is good, but only if we have a destination in mind. Destination. A producer who has a destination knows what it takes to maximize profits. He knows what size and type of cow is optimum for his environment. He knows what his optimum level is for birth weight, growth, milk, etc. All of his breeding decisions are made with his destination in mind. He realizes there are genetic antagonisms between several of the important economic traits in beef cattle. For thirty years producers have successfully For example, extreme growth rate will negatively increased growth and size in their cattle, and most affect calving ease, fertility, and feed requirements are still running in the same direction. Seedstock for maintenance. There are trade-offs that must be producers are leading the pack. They are willing considered when making breeding decisions. We to do whatever it takes to continue increasing their can only select for so much growth, muscle, and weaning and yearling weights. But what happens milk without having some negative consequences. when they go beyond the optimum level? Feed costs Therefore, the optimum level for many traits lies will increase along with cow size. Calving problems somewhere in the middle. All the flashy extremes that will increase along with birth weights. Herd fertility the beef industry is drooling over must be avoided. and efficiency will suffer. But most importantly, net It’s unfortunate, but most seedstock producers profits will decrease. This may go unnoticed by don’t have the discipline required to quit using the seedstock producers who are able to sell their bull extremes. calves to commercial producers at an over-inflated price, but what about the commercial producer who Once you’ve reached your destination you can buys and uses these bulls? How will these bulls start working on uniformity within your herd. This affect his profitability? isn’t difficult if you know what your optimum levels are for the various traits that you select for. There is As ranchers, we’ve been conditioned to believe that absolutely no reason why ranchers cannot reduce our progress can only be measured by the visible the variations that exist for birth weight, weaning changes that occur in our cattle. It’s difficult for us to weight, yearling weight, cow size, fleshing ability, stop at the optimum level for any trait because there etc., within their herds. To do so, however, requires would be no more visible change. Since we can no that they know where they are going. Their breeding longer see an improvement, we feel compelled to program must have a specific destination.

71 <<< Voerkraalafronding van

speenkalwers>> Ulrich Müller, Tegniese Bestuurder, Voermol Voere

Daar word jaarliks groot hoeveelhede speenklawers in voerkrale op plase afgerond. Sodoende kan die speenkalfprodusent en/of mielieprodusent self waarde tot sy produk voeg. Die winsgewendheid word grootliks bepaal deur die verhouding tussen die speenkalfprys, die mielieprys en die vleisprys.

Om ‘n speenkalf suksesvol te voer en te bemark, is aankoop of waarde van die speenkalf. Dit is daar verskeie faktore wat belangrik is, en wat aandag uiters belangrik dat die prys van die speenkalf moet geniet. Die volgende is van die belangrikste korrek is. Die waarde van die speenkalf (R-c/kg) aspekte waaraan aandag gegee behoort te word. word hoofsaaklik bepaal deur die massa en die kwaliteit van die kalf. ‘n Goeie kwaliteit speenkalf • Om ‘n speenkalf mark-klaar te voer, word Voer. is doeltreffend om voer tot vleis om te skakel. Die sowat 1.2ton voer benodig. Die voer bestaan uit tipiese gewig van die ideale speenklaf is tussen sowat 70% graan en/of hominy chop en 30% wat 200kg en 280kg. opgemaak word uit ‘n afrondkonsentraat, ‘n hoë proteïen konsentraat (HPK) of oliekoekmeel en • Water. Voorsien koel drinkwater van goeie ruvoer. Met 70% graan (mielies) in die rantsoen, gehalte. ‘n Speenkalf benodig sowat 50ℓ koel en is dit dus duidelik dat die mielieprys of meer skoon drinkwater per dag. Op ‘n warm dag kan spesifiek die verhouding tussen die mielieprys en die behoefte na drinkwater heelwat hoër wees. die vleisprys tot ‘n groot mate die winsgewendheid • Eindmassa. Die eindmassa is 440kg plus wat gaan bepaal. Graan maak sowat 32% van die ‘n karkas (A2/3 graad) van sowat 250kg plus totale insette uit om ‘n kalf te voer. sal lewer. ‘n Goeie kwaliteit kalf behoort hierdie massa na tussen 120 en 130 dae in die voerkraal • Speenkalf. Die grootste enkele inset, is die

72 >>> te bereik. Met die gebruik van Zilmax kan kalwers ook in die vorm van veldweiding in ‘n klein kampie nog swaarder gevoer word. voorsien word. • Mortaliteit. Kalwers moet reg geprosesseer (ent, Waar beter mengfasiliteite beskikbaar is of met doseer, behandel, inplantaat, ens.) word om die gebruik van kuilvoer, word Voermol SB 100 in mortaliteit tot ‘n minimum te beperk. volledige voermengsels aanbeveel. Verder word • Ligging. Die ideale ligging van die voerkraal is Voermol SB 100 suksesvol gebruik vir die voer van naby aan die graan en die mark. Sodoende word bulle en in Fase D rantsoene. Sien die Voermol vervoerkoste geminimaliseer. Onthou ‘n tipiese Produkhandleiding vir meer besonderhede. speenkalf weeg 220kg, ‘n speenkalf benodig is ‘n konsentraat sowat 800kg graan en die finale bees weeg Voermol Beefmaker (V7535) wat spesifiek ontwikkel is vir voerkrale waar die 440kg met ‘n karkas van 250kg. beskikbaarheid en koste van ruvoer en/of hooi Voeding problematies is. Met die Voermol Beefmaker-Stelsel kan ‘n speenkalf suksesvol sonder die gebruik van Die voer van voerkraalkalwers is relatief eenvoudig. hooi afgerond word. ‘n Verdere voordeel van die Dit is belangrik om gebalanseerde voere te voer Beefmaker voerstelsel is dat die minimum voer wat hoog in energie is. Verder is dit belangrik dat gemaal of gemeng hoef te word en die stelsel werk die voeding op ‘n roetine basis gedoen word met goed met beperkte fasiliteite. Sien die Voermol so min as moontlik verandering. Konstante voeding Produkhandleiding vir meer besonderhede. verseker sukses in die voerkraal. is hoogs gekonsentreer. In die proses van afronding gaan ‘n kalf deur vier Voermol Super 80 (V6059) Gevolglik is die insluitingsvlak laag en is dit belangrike fases, nl.: belangrik dat die voer behoorlik gemeng word met • Aanvangsfase. Vir die eerste 14 dae of totdat die goeie meng fasiliteite soos byvoorbeeld ‘n mengwa. kalf sowat 250kg weeg, word ‘n Aanvangsrant- Weens die lae insluiting van Voermol Super 80, word soen gevoer. Hierdie voer is hoog in proteïen die Voermol-stelsel nie aanbeveel nie. en vesel en die voer moet smaaklik wees wat bevat die ß-agonis, voerinname vinnig laat toeneem. Voermol Zilmol (V16978) ZilpatherolHCL. Hierdie partisie agent verhoog die • Groeifase. Sodra die kalf aangepas is en neerlegging van spier (proteïen) ten koste van vet goed vreet word die voer na die Groeirantsoen (energie). Gevolglik kan ‘n kalf wat reeds die A2 verander. Hier is die proteïen en vesel effens vetheidsgraad bereik het vir ‘n verdere sowat 30 dae laer en die energieinhoud so hoog moontlik om gevoer word sonder om oorvet te word. Sodoende optimale massatoename te verseker. word die positiewe voermarge ontgin deur diere • Afrondfase. Tydens die fase word gewoonlik langer te voer en word die winsgewendheid ‘n ß-agonis soos Zilmax gevoer. Die byvoeging aansienlik verhoog. Terselfdertyd verhoog die van ZilpatherolHCL maak dit moontlik om die kalf uitslagpersentasie met sowat twee persentasie swaarder te voer sonder dat die klaf oorvet word. punte. Die onttrekkings periode vir ZilpatherolHCL is Sodoende kan meer waarde toegevoeg word. tussen drie en sewe dae. Hierdie fase is 30 dae. Vir volledige meng- en voerinstruksies raadpleeg die • Onttrekkingsfase. Indien Zilmax gevoer word, Voermol Produkhandleiding, die Voermol webblad of moet dit vir tussen drie en sewe dae onttrek word. skakel U naaste Voermol agent. Voermol Konsentrate Voermol bied ‘n verskeidenheid konsentrate aan en elke konsentraat is geskik vir spesifieke omstandighede. Voermol SB 100 (V4498) word gewoonlik deur die kleiner voerkrale (500 kalwers en minder) gebruik met beperkte fasiliteite en hande arbeid. Deur die Voermol-Stelsel te gebruik, is die voer van speenkalwers baie eenvoudig met goeie resultate. Meng eenvoudig 200 kg Voermol SB 100 met 800 kg graan (heel mielies of hominy chop) en voer die mengsel ad lib. tesame met hooi (mieliereste, koringstrooi, ens.) apart en ad lib. Met die Voermol- Stelsel van vetmesting word baie basiese fasiliteite benodig. Die minste is seker ‘n voerbak of voerkrip waarin die Voermol SB 100-mielie mengsel ad lib. gevoer word plus hooi in ‘n hooirak. Die hooi kan

73 <<< >> Greensen - Toks Liebenberg

74 >>> >> Grasveld Senepol Groeptelers - Boetie Hattingh >> Wildrus - Frans de Jager

>> Joxepa - Wilhelm Oosthuysen >> Vetkragga - Pieter van Wyk

>> Nooitgedacht - Tiekie Muller

>> Skilderpraght - Jaco Botes

75 <<< >> Grasveld Senepol Groeptelers - Theuns Vlotman

>> Vetkragga - Pieter van Wyk

>> Casa Savelli - Marius van Deventer

>> Calcrete - Basil Butler

>> Ekland - Danie Nieuwoudt

>> Langlyf - Albie & Cornelis Rautenbach

>> Joxepa - Wilhelm Oosthuysen

76 >>> 77 <<< Find them fast SenepMembersol

Mr. A.B. Butler Basil Butler - Calcrete - AB P.O. Box 2335, VRYBURG, 8600 [email protected] 082 339 4502

CASA SAVELLI BK

A.N.L. Boerdery (Edms) Bpk Marius van Deventer (RAADSLID) - Casa Savelli - CSS Toks Liebenberg - Greensen - GN Posbus 66508, Riebeeckstad, Welkom, 9460 Posbus 413, BOTHAVILLE, 9660 [email protected] [email protected] 082 926 5579 • 057 388 3628 083 298 1577 • 056 515 2712

Circle C Ranches Alpha Salvo Senepol Kevin Cloete (RAADSLID) - Circle C - CIS Danie Vermeulen - Alpha Salvo - DEV PO Box 16186, Atlasville, 0146 Posbus, 29296, Danhof, Bloemfontein, 9310 [email protected] [email protected] 083 272 1549 • 051 976 7068 082 797 0806 • 082 534 5449

De Jager Broers BK Annies Reward Frans de Jager - Wildrus - DJ Eugene Gouws - Anne’s Reward - AR Posbus 34544, Faunasig, Bloemfontein, 9325 P.O. Box 96023, Waterkloof Village, 0145 fdejager@lantic,net [email protected] 082 651 3991 082 553 3787 • 012 346 6447

Duet Boerdery Baybot Ranching (Pty) Ltd Ted Lamb - Redsen - RED Allan Botha (RAADSLID) - Baybot - BB Posbus 487, Parys, 9585 P.O. Box 27, LOBATSE, BOTSWANA [email protected] [email protected] 082 929 0816 Int0026771459547 • 09267 530 1369

Ekland Agri (PTY) LTD Mnr H.W. Bouwer Danie Nieuwoudt (PRESIDENT) - Boeta Bouwer - Saibo - SIA Ekland- EK Posbus 45, Excelsior, 9760 Posbus 7, Marquard, 9610 [email protected] [email protected] 083 222 9060 083 302 1796 • 051 991 0296

78 >>> Eversar Stoet Nooitgedacht Senepol Stoet Chris Nel - Eversar - CN Tiekie Muller - Tiekelos - NP Posbus 1008, Harrismith, 9880 Posbus 41, Bloemhof, 2660 [email protected] [email protected] 083 654 9638 • 058 622 3173 082 576 1432

Fanel Boerdery P & N Ludwig Boerdery Fanie Nel - Fanel - IMO Peter Ludwig - Peternikki - PN Posbus 153, Excelsior, 9760 P.O. Box 5028, Kockspark, 2523 [email protected] [email protected] 083 609 4779 • 051 973 7180 072 464 1643 • 018 293 0020

Mnr. C. Groenewald Mnr. J.J. Rall Sakkie Groenewald - Waldi - WAL Jannie Rall - Rubie - JR Posbus 293, Hertzogville, 9482 Posbus 567, Harrismith, 9880 [email protected] [email protected] 082 585 0626 083 441 3946 • 058 623 2917

Mnr. J.H. Hattingh Mnr. A.J. Rautenbach Boetie Hattingh - Kedleston - KD Albie Rautenbach - Langlyf - R Posbus 29808, Danhof, 9310 Posbus 90, Reitz, 9810 [email protected] [email protected] 082 306 2469 • 051 436 1541 082 959 5759

Hiveld Senepol Mnr. C.J. Rautenbach Jan Jacobsz - Hiveld - HSJ Cornelis Rautenbach - Nonnie - N Posbus 1456, Ermelo, 2350 Posbus 552, Reitz, 9810 [email protected] [email protected] 082 824 6500 • 017 629 3209 082 371 4390 • 058 863 3809

Mr. R.P.J. Knipe Mr. C.M. Richardson Peter Knipe - ST Blaze - PKT Craig Richardson - Tahiti - TNT P.O. Box 4, Molopo River, 8680 P.O. Box 14252, Zuurfontein, 1912 [email protected] [email protected] 082 497 0779 083 675 3358 • 016 987 7225

Mev. A. Nieuwoudt Ro-Eh Senepol Bk Reinja Senepolstoet - RJ Thomas Stewart - Ro-Eh - RO Posbus 200, Schweizer-Reneke, 2780 Leydstraat 8, Dan Pienaar, 9301 [email protected] [email protected] 083 305 6454 • 073 339 7165 082 807 9238

79 <<< Schilderpraght Senepol Stoet Mr. P.J. Tattersall Jaco Botes - Praght - SCH Peter Tattersall - Tattersall - TS Posbus 834, Humansdorp, 6300 P.O. Box 31940, KYALAMI, 1684 [email protected] [email protected] 082 634 6017 • 042 295 2209 082 455 9935 • 011 468 2661

Senepol Development Trust Mnr. W.A. van de Vyver Peter Knipe - St Croix - SB Willem van de Vyver - Wilbern - WD P.O. Box 4, Molopo River, 8680 Wekkiesaayman str 23, Universitas, [email protected] Bloemfontein, 9321 082 497 0779 [email protected] 079 883 6597

SF Haasbroek Boerdery Wilhelm Oosthuysen (VICE-PRESIDENT) Mnr. J. van der Walt Joxepa - WIO Jacobus van der Walt - Waaikraal - WK Posbus 319, Bothaville, 9660 Posbus 89983, Centurion,0173 [email protected] [email protected] 082 611 7766 • 056 515 2533 071 897 2774

Mr. C.G Sheard Mnr. M.C.T. van Wyk Chris Sheard - Blackpool - CS Mike Nash - Senator - SN P.O. Box 6, Cathcart, 5310 Posbus 697, Viljoenskroon, 9520 [email protected] [email protected] 082 375 5920 • 045 843 1718 083 255 3665

Skietkraal Besigheidstrust Vetkragga Boerdery Dr. Pierre Du Plessis - Promasen - SKB Pieter van Wyk - Sonrug - SS Posbus 17361, Pretoria-Noord, 0116 Posbus 69, Riversdal, 6670 [email protected] [email protected] 082 703 6811 • 012 548 7839 082 494 0631 • 028 713 2731

Spiro Senepol Vlotman T.J.D. Mnr Chris van Rooyen - Spiro - S Theuns Vlotman - Vlotvlei - VL Posbus 548, Outjo, Namibia Posbus 295, Brandfort, 9400 [email protected] [email protected] Int002648132453329 083 899 7977 • 051 821 1845

Nie-aktiewe lede ST Helena Boerdery H. Botha, Helena Botha - Posbus 92388, Boordfontein, Stephan Nel - Exie - EX 0201 - [email protected] - 063 684 6946 Posbus 39, Excelsior, 9670 D. Fourie, Dino Fourie - Posbus 30113, Wonderboompoort, [email protected] Pretoria, 0033- [email protected] - 082 567 6493 - 012 083 658 3314 • 051 973 7173 379 6347 D.G. Truter, Danie Truter - Posbus 35030, Faunasig, 9325 - [email protected] - 082 325 6550 - 051 404 2601 Yellow Star, Zolani Ngcingwana - P.O. Box 97, Port St Johns, 5120 - [email protected] - 082 651 7711 - 039 727 4085

80 >>> 81 <<< 82 >>> 83 <<< 84 >>>