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OUTSTANDING SOUTH AFRICAN STUDS

North Queensland Register, May 8, 2014 — Page 35

By Jim Pola

THE Australian Brahman breeders tour of South Africa, during the 17th World Brahman

Congress, was an outstanding success, considering the time frame we had to visit the vast number of studs and attend the congress.

Speaking on behalf of all the breeders who attended the conferences, I can only say we were enlightened by the cattle that we saw, which can only be described as very functional cattle.

I’d like to say a big thank you to the studs that we attended – their hospi ta l­ity and friendship will be remembered by all breeders on the tour.

A special mention goes to a couple of German Brahman breeders, Sylvia and Nando, who joined us throughout the tour and really surprised us with the way in which they bring their cattle into the world, with temperatures down as far as minus­zero degrees, and they

are talking Brahmans, too.ABBA president Shane Bishop

should be congratulated for saying in his address to the congress that the Register, “Australia’s leading news­paper”, was on tour with the Brahman breeders in front of the world media. It brought back memories of when I pur­chased a property for a lot of money for a well­known grazier. When the ham­mer fell, every bank manager wanted to know me. The same happened at the congress – the media wanted to know who was ‘lookie, lookie’ taking photos.

SUNDAY morning it was off to Burnie and Dennis Staal’s farm for a game lunch of venison spit braai (barbecue) and to check out the cattle.

The Staal Bos Blanco herd was established in 1991. They currently run 1800 Brahmans, made up of 800 grey females and 400 red females. The herd is genetically bred out of Sugarland, Loxacrata, Rexcrata, Suville, Mayro Manso and Elefante bloodlines.

The annual breeding platform includes a large­scale AI and embryo

program with the best genetics in the world.

Bos Blanco won the first Breeder of the Year award in 2001. In 2009 they were awarded the commercial Molatek National Cattle Farmer of the Year.

In 2010 BOS06 100 was the national champion bull and sold for a South African Brahman record price of R475,000 (A$47,500).

Bos Blanco annually hosts the largest private bull sale in Africa, offering 170 bulls. As from 2003, they have exported more than 1600 embryos to Australia.

They sold a partnership

bull for an Australian all­breeds record of $145,000.

The bull NCC369 is an Australian all­breeds bull out of a Bos Blanco embryo.

Burnie was the judge of the grey section at the congress. He is very well known in the judging ring over there. He qualified in 1993 and currently serves on the South African Brahman Breeders Society Training Committee, and has also been a council member. He has also judged Brahmans at Rockhampton in Australia.

He is a breed judge and has judged national cham­pionships in South Africa.

The Australian Brahman breeders were very impressed with the selling ring at Kroon Vee Brahmans.

Breeders in global spotlight

Some 1800 Brahmans, made up of 800 grey females and 400 red females, are currently running on Burnie and brother Dennis Staal’s property, Bos Blanco Brahmans. INSET: Bos Blanco Brahmans’ Burnie Staal was presented a Brahman book by Les Donald of El-Ja Brahmans.

In my opinion, the cattle that we saw at Masbra were up there with the best red cattle you will see anywhere – and that’s a big call from me.

The Brahman breeders boarded the tractor train for a look at Masbra cattle. It was just incredible what we saw – just a great example of a red female herd.

WE headed to Tok Serfontein’s farm for a short visit and boarded the tractor train for a look at his cattle.

It a great example of a red female herd. The cows were up there with the best red cattle you will see anywhere – and that’s a big call.

Tok has been breeding pure Red Brahmans since 1982.

The foundations of the herd were direct descendants of pure red Cherokee cattle, imported from Cherokee Ranch, Texas.

Breeding pure red cattle, according to CY Yokum’s philosophy, has been one of the main objectives in the Masbra herd.

The main focus has always been functionality combined with beef production.

Masbra strives to breed cattle that will breed predictable progeny through the careful use of pedigrees as a valuable part of selection criteria.

The success of this breeding philosophy is clear when considering the number of championships won by Masbra bulls, as well as the success of the progeny by Masbra bulls in numerous herds – both domestic and international.

As it was time to get to the conference and register for the week, we needed to be back in town early and catch the non-halter judging in Parys.

Tok Serfontein, Masbra Brahmans, was presented an Australian Brahmans book by Stuart Kirk of Hazelton Brahmans.

MASBRA BRAHMANS BOS BLANCO BRAHMANS

QC

1650

053

HENRY Brits, HCB Brahmans, is stationed near a small farming town in the north-west province of South Africa called Swartruggens.

Swartruggens was estab-lished in 1875 and takes its name from a series of hills there – Afrikaans for ‘black ridges’, and formerly known as Zwartruggens.

Henry Brits has bred Red and Grey Brahmans since 2003.

The stud consists of 95 red and grey females.

The red females were selected from the well-known Assem stud and the grey females from the JSC stud.

Henry packed us on the Toyota tray back for a trip to see his cattle.

This was really different as the cattle were all around the feed bin and the tyres.

They feed on chicken manure and urea.

This is when I started to realise why Henry had said that he had the contract to remove the waste from chicken farms in the area.

We, in Australia, stopped feeding meat meal back in the early 1990s.

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OUTSTANDING SOUTH AFRICAN STUDS

Page 36 — North Queensland Register, May 8, 2014

RUSSELL Jackson’s Arjac Brahmans farm is situated near Rustenburg.

Rustenburg was one of the official host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Russell’s Red Brahman breed was started 30 years ago, with the cattle largely bred from MN Red Mayro 766/1, WD 78 and Cherokee bloodlines.

The breed was the result of two local bulls, the R10 79/89 bred by Llewellyn Labuschagne and Sambok 405 bred by Dr Lombard.

Russell had his show team penned up to present to us.

His cow herd consisted of medium-framed animals with

good udders and milk, and were able to raise calves under extensive conditions, as his farm is also a game park. One of Russell’s red bulls going to the 17th World Brahman Congress in Parys, South Africa.

Arjac Brahmans’ Russell Jackson, wife Arina and son Christopher were thanked by ABBA president Shane Bishop.

Russell’s Red

Brahman breed was

started 30 years

ago.

Henry packed

us on the Toyota

tray back for a trip to see his

cattle.

ARJAC BRAHMANS

STEPHAN Coetzee’s Coetzrand Brahmans is situated near Carletonville, which is a goldmining town in western Gauteng, South Africa.

It is one of the richest gold-producing areas in the world.

Stephan has bred Red and Grey Brahmans since 1996.

The breeding herd consists of 150 grey females selected from Tecklenburg, Hunt, JDH and V8 ranches, and the 50 red females were selected from Reed’s Red, Selvin Plaut and various American bloodlines.

He has actively participated in a number of shows throughout the year, having won various Brahman championships.

Stephan sure knows how to party.We were treated to what you could

only describe as a typical South African outback party. Stephan from Coetzrand Brahmans showed us a line of very functional cattle.

Coetzrand Brahmans’ big day out. ABBA president Shane Bishop, Wimpy and Chantel Grobler, John and Mona Turnbull, Gerard and Engela Visser, Stephan and Hanlie Coetzee, and Brett Kirk, Hazelton Brahmans.

COETZRAND BRAHMANS

The cattle were fed on chicken manure and urea. I started to realise why Henry had said to me that he had the contract to remove the waste from the chicken farms in the area.

Henry Brits of HCB Brahmans is thanked by the Brahman Society’s Andrew Olive of Raglan Brahmans.

HCB BRAHMANS

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OUTSTANDING SOUTH AFRICAN STUDS

North Queensland Register, May 8, 2014 — Page 37

Liz Radel of Kandoona Brahman stud thanked Irma and Jan van Zyl, Jan’s son Gideon, his wife Rodien and children, and ABBA president Shane Bishop.

JAN van Zyl’s Kroon Vee stud was established in 1972.

Kroon Vee runs one of the largest Red and Grey Brahman herds in the country.

In addition, they also have Simbra, Afrikander and Afrisim breeds together with their commercial herd.

The aim in their breeding program is to develop out cattle under extensive circumstances in semi-arid and arid areas.

All animals are part of a national research project, which is managed by the University of Pretoria and Onderstepoort.

They strive for economical meat production which leaves no compromising for adaptability, temperament, fertility, milk and growth.

Their herd consists of 413 Grey Brahmans and 394 Red Brahmans, and all their genetic trends are well above breed averages.

They host their own production sale at their luxury sale complex, which is an excellent venue – it’s a real credit to Kroon Vee stud.

KROON VEE BRAHMANS

I took the time to go with Louis into his trophy room. Well, let me tell you, there is not much he hasn’t won in South Africa as far as trophies go.

Louis Meyer, Christina Meyer, Louis Meyer Jnr, Joy Deguara of Simla Brahmans and ABBA president Shane Bishop.

In the northern end of Louis’ country, dipping is a must every 10 days. We could not afford to do this in Australia.

LOUIS Meyer, Loriza Brahmans, is based in the centre of Africa’s southern meat zone, consisting of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.

In 1960 the Loriza herd originated with the importation of three Stuart heifers and a Hudgins bull from Texas, US.

Three heifers were added in 1965 from Howard Parker’s well-known V8 herd, and in 1969 a bull from the Sugarlands herd joined the Loriza ranks.

In 1980 Mr 3X Mucho Grande, bred by Joe and Emily Dial from Houston, and Mayromanso MN 143/2, bred by Mr Marone from Louisiana, were imported to strengthen the herd’s genetics.

Local genetics from the late Eric Bilse, Bilse’s 79, and from Ig Wilkens, IWW8/87, have made a significant

impact on their herd. In 1994 JDH Mr Manso

130/1, and in 2003 Mr Imper 44/04 were imported.

Testing the genetic base has moulded the herd into a predictable one with fertility, milk, adaptability and hardy animals with a gentle temperament.

Through careful selection, Loriza can provide their own herd sires.

Their aim is to produce females with gentleness, fertility and milk production – the answer to perfect growth.

Ticks on his northern property are very severe and Louis dips every 10 days. The cattle at the stud are very well framed and the calves are in good nick as well.

I took the time to go with Louis into his trophy room.

Well, let me tell you, there is not much he hasn’t won in South Africa as far as trophies go.

LORIZA BRAHMANS

Kroon Vee runs one of the

largest Red and

Grey Brahman

herds in the

country.

ABBA president Shane Bishop, Yolanda Hunt, Sydney Hunt Jr, Cynthia Hunt, Sydney Hunt Snr, Mark Hunt and TMG Brahman Stud Northern Territory’s Murray Webster.

Travelling out in the back blocks of Sydney’s farm, we could see the consist-ency in Hunt Brahman cattle as we moved through the paddocks.

The Australian Brahman breeders enjoyed what was truly the best ox tail stew on tour.

SYDNEY Hunt Brahmans farm is located 4 kilometres outside the town of Warrenton.

We were welcomed by Sydney and his family, and boarded the tractor train to view the cattle on the farm.

Sydney’s place is very impressive.

It also has an irrigation channel flowing through the farm.

We came across the herd, and all on board were in awe of the very functional cattle that were presented to us.

Sydney runs both Grey Brahman, established in 1957, and the Charolais Cattle, established in 1964.

Both studs are now the oldest in Africa, and both have international acclaim.

Their registered quarantine station allows for export of genetics

into the international market.

Hunt Brahman Stud genetics are exported into Australia, Brazil and Africa, and have been very well received.

The organisation’s breeding policy is one of line-breeding, using mainly Sugarland Loxacrata and Sugarland Suville bloodlines from the outset.

From time to time, selected JDH genetics are incorporated to widen the genetic base.

The stud is an enthusiastic supporter of performance testing.

After the cattle tour of Hunt Brahmans, it was back to the shed to have a typical South African home barbecue, cooked in what has to be the mother of all mothers camp ovens.

A very enjoyable evening was had by all.

SYDNEY HUNT BRAHMANS

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OUTSTANDING SOUTH AFRICAN STUDS

Page 38 — North Queensland Register, May 8, 2014

Jannie Serfontein, Therese Serfontein, Juanita Serfontein, Jan Serfontein, Hendrik de Kock (back), Carla de Kock, Adri Serfontein and Petrie Serfontein with ABBA president Shane Bishop.

AFTER our visit to HJW, we were invited for a visit and to have dinner at Jan Serfontein’s farm.

Serfbred Brahmans is situated 7km from the town of Potchefstroom.

Serfbred Brahmans bought their first heifers and stud bull in August 1980, and have been producing world-class animals since then.

The stud consists of 600 cows out of the world’s best bloodlines,

using world-renowned bulls from Van Guard, Hudgins and V8 ranches.

Their cows are known for having outstanding udders with quality milk, excellent grazing ability, and hardiness.

The cows produce calves with a high weaning weight.

Their bulls can serve cows in very harsh climate conditions.

A fun evening was had by all as the company was great.

SERFBRED BRAHMANS

ON the trip we visited Hennie Jacobs at HJW Brahmans, at Wolmaransstad. The Jacobs family has a deep-rooted love for the Brahman breed. They are known as outdoors people with a love for nature and animals in general.

Their aim as breeders is to produce stud cattle that will do exceptionally well in commercial breeding herds.

Hennie has bred Red and Grey Brahmans since 2003. The breeding herd consists of grey females carefully selected through the years

out of HBS and ONE 571 bloodlines; and red females out of the well-known Long John - Re75/82 bloodlines.

Hennie continuously keeps himself abreast of the latest technology and he’s a keen supporter of all trades in performance testing.

He also has a couple of diamond mines on his farm which are very productive, and we toured the mines on our visit.

Another interesting note – Hennie is also a professional sports hunter and has many trophies to show for it.

LEFT: Hennie also has a couple of diamond mines on his farm which are very productive, we toured the mines on our visit.

RIGHT: We were certainly introduced to a great line

of reds at Hennie and Marelize’s stud.

HJW BRAHMANS

Sibble, Marelize and Hennie Jacobs from HJW Brahmans, receiving a thank you from Ashley Kirk, Rockley Brahman Stud, and ABBA president Shane Bishop.

There was no exception in the greys, either, with a very good line presented.

Hennie is also a professional sports hunter and has many trophies to show for it.

Hennie’s passion for his cattle truly shone through on the day we were shown his stud.

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