Thanks for the shout out, I really appreciate it. And you're right if a Cow isn't getting the percentage of gains from the percentage of food going in you're definitely wasting pasture & any feed you might be feeding them. That new little Calf sure is a good looking deep red, and his Momma is looking great. I've noticed both of your Tuli Cows are looking fat & healthy even while raising a Calf, that definitely says something about the Breed. I was also wondering what you think about the Boran Breed of Cattle, I've watched a lot of videos on them. They seem to be a very nice breed from what I've seen. The Boran Bull Picasso was one fantastic looking Bull, the size & his color was just something to see. Unfortunately he got struck by lightning, that was just rotten luck. But he left behind some nice Sons & Daughters.
Hi Blitzkrieg, Thanks for the support! I actually like the Boran ALOT! I'm aware of Picasso and he was a stunning specimen. I think one must just be sure to select the correct TYPE within the breed - to work in one's conditions. Because I eventually want to apply High Density Grazing - I would need to look at smaller framed Boran types that would do well in those conditions. If I were in the weaner calf market then the Picasso type would be perfect!
I say it again your attitude in sharing information with us is confirming of the character you are, before I like your content which is great I like you as a person wow you are a great human being, MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH ALL THAT YOUR HEART DESIRES
Great content as always. It is something similar i learnt from Kit Pharo "The importance of quitting the herd and thinking differently". Very informative. Thanks for sharing, highly appreciated.
Hey Felani, As always your comments are a boost to one's ego! If everybody played "Follow the leader" then no-one would ever change and we would never learn nor improve!
Thank you for showing the value of the Indigenous breeds and how beneficial they are ,most people don't realise the gold they have until some one comes and sees the value of what u have....go Nguni.
Very interesting information on the amount of feed compared to the percentage actually used. I feel the problem would be how to determine the amount of feed compared to percentage converted. Because a cow eating 4 percent daily but digesting 40 would be in similar condition to the 2 percent daily but with 70 percent digesting. I think the best way to infer who is effective at feed conversion ,would be in time of low feed. So basically keep the animals that keep condition in naturally occurring events such as drought and cull those who don’t, Because effectively you’re controlling one of the variables in the equation, feed intake. So ,this a case we’re old time farmer knowledge is backed by science.
Hi John, I was contemplating the exact same scenario and came to the exact same conclusion. It's ironic that I'd need the results of a study to teach me what the old timers have alwsys known! Thanks for the comment!
Beautiful content I really appreciate what you spoke about in this video , am also learning about livestock farming wanted to focus more on feedlot, was learning about all the nutrition needed to fatten the cow. The topic that you spoke about of feed digestion and how it can affect the body condition of a cattle. Got me thinking a lot because I was asking myself about what happens when you feed a cow and it doesn’t reach the body condition needed by the market what could have went wrong in the cattle.
Thanks! I'm delving more into the finer side of cattle production and it's amazing how much we don't know! I'm really enjoying this journey of discovery and learning!
Let’s call the black heifer “Ndoni” (The berry of waters” we usually call dark skinned beautiful African women by that name. Another very informative video. Honestly speaking i thought all animals digest over 60% of what they consume. Very interesting topic.
Appreciate your content man. After watching your videos, I always sit down and think hard about the information you provided and how I should go about things. Also I suggest you give the heifer the name Thato .. meaning love ( considering you live in the FreeState and the indigenous people there are Sotho)
Great Content!!! Thanks for more references shared - the name for your heifer "Phinifa" (Apron in English) & pronounced as - pinˈifär - her colours are very uniform all around and she is very feminine...
great content. A lot of guys need to tap into understanding the importance of EBV's and how they affect your herd. especially when it comes to the bull you use. medium framed animals are a win. I suggest the name Buhle.
Hi Kamora, I must admit that I don't subscribe to the EBV value system much. Because I follow the teachings of some radical thinkers (Johann Zietsman, Ian Mitchel-Innes, Pikkie Uys etc) there are more important traits (to me) that I prefer to look at. EBV's are fine if you plan on following the traditional commercial farming system and you are happy to supplement cattle feed when needed. However because I'm aiming for a different type of animal and thus approach - EBV's hold no real value to me. I'm aiming at veld raised, grass produced beef and my TYPE of animal doesn't fit into the general commercial mould.
Hi Louis, I'm well aware of the Drakensberger and I hope to visit a farmer who does UHDG with them near Reitz! I also follow Pikkie Uys who has the oldest Drakensberger Stud in the country. They are BRILLIANT animals and definitely undervalued! Thanks for the comment!
Awesome herd. Some advocate for uniformity in terms breed selection. In your case, what's the idea behind farming with different breeds, Simbra, Nguni, Tuli, and the recent member of the herd Senepol x Tuli calf?
Hi Jabulani, I plan on breeding my own Veldmasters - which is a principle rather than a breed! The requirement is that your crosses must be at least 50% indigenous component. There is no restriction on the breeds/combinations you use so you basically have a blank canvass!
I am deeply in love with Nguni, despite the fact that I am a township lad and have never been close to a cow. However, I have had those dejavu moments, and I have a feeling that my genes have been in close proximity to this at some point in the past. I would suggest that the Nguni Heifer be named Nkosazana.
I recall a piece of advice that was given to me many years ago before i embarked on my farming career that u may find useful. If you want to farm with ngunis then go out and get ngunis and if you want to farm with herefords go out and get herefords but dont spend your life trying to turn herefords into ngunis. The message was complicated cross breeding programs take many years to complete without producing a uniform standard and result in a bit of this and a bit of that. Often by the time you start getting to what you envisaged you are ready to retire!!
Hey Mark, Some good advice there! My goal is to actually produce a composite breed for my farm. Why? Well, just because I can! It's part of the challenge to see if I can make any meaningful combinations. My herd is small and I don't expect it to make any major financial contribution to my income so the playing field is open! I'll keep some Ngunis pure - but their offspring will still contribute to the commercial side. it's kind of like a paying hobby - if that makes sense?
Hey how are you man. It’s Sidwell here. Can a farmer do Feedlot farming with the Tuli? I stead of grazing around the farm or veld. Can we feedlot them rather?? Thanks. Sid
You can call the black heifer Ndoni which means a black water berry, used to describe a particularly and infinitely beautiful dark skinned beauty, an evergreen tree to describe the hardiness and resilient body condition and an ode to the forever flowing stream of the perennial stream. That’s a good name for her I think 😂😂😂
I Suggest you name her NANDI which means SWEET or Pleasant a name that conveys charm….. great idea on sharing our content a you plug it in wow good initiative where can we reach you directly?…… I think the behaviour of cows staying behind with a new mother an calve was introduced to the herd by Bella because you never experienced the same with your first calve…I actually noticed a lot of good changes in your herd behaviour since Bella arrived and according to me it can only be her because she seem to be leader and very dominant. I think she splits the animals to bring or introduce the instincts of theft management even attack to all the animals at a go and also grazing management ……just my thoughts 😂😂😂😂😂😂but in Bella you got a great cow which is very educating to other animals
I Suggest you name her NANDI which means SWEET or Pleasant a name that conveys charm….. great idea on sharing our content a you plug it in wow good initiative where can we reach you directly?…… I think the behaviour of cows staying behind with a new mother an calve was introduced to the herd by Bella because you never experienced the same with your first calve…I actually noticed a lot of good changes in your herd behaviour since Bella arrived and according to me it can only be her because she seem to be leader and very dominant. I think she splits the animals to bring or introduce the instincts of theft management even attack to all the animals at a go and also grazing management ……just my thoughts 😂😂😂😂😂😂but in Bella you got a great cow which is very educating to other animals
Thanks for the shout out, I really appreciate it. And you're right if a Cow isn't getting the percentage of gains from the percentage of food going in you're definitely wasting pasture & any feed you might be feeding them. That new little Calf sure is a good looking deep red, and his Momma is looking great. I've noticed both of your Tuli Cows are looking fat & healthy even while raising a Calf, that definitely says something about the Breed. I was also wondering what you think about the Boran Breed of Cattle, I've watched a lot of videos on them. They seem to be a very nice breed from what I've seen. The Boran Bull Picasso was one fantastic looking Bull, the size & his color was just something to see. Unfortunately he got struck by lightning, that was just rotten luck. But he left behind some nice Sons & Daughters.
Hi Blitzkrieg,
Thanks for the support!
I actually like the Boran ALOT! I'm aware of Picasso and he was a stunning specimen.
I think one must just be sure to select the correct TYPE within the breed - to work in one's conditions.
Because I eventually want to apply High Density Grazing - I would need to look at smaller framed Boran types that would do well in those conditions.
If I were in the weaner calf market then the Picasso type would be perfect!
I say it again your attitude in sharing information with us is confirming of the character you are, before I like your content which is great I like you as a person wow you are a great human being, MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH ALL THAT YOUR HEART DESIRES
Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it!
Great content as always. It is something similar i learnt from Kit Pharo "The importance of quitting the herd and thinking differently". Very informative. Thanks for sharing, highly appreciated.
Hey Felani,
As always your comments are a boost to one's ego! If everybody played "Follow the leader" then no-one would ever change and we would never learn nor improve!
Thank you for showing the value of the Indigenous breeds and how beneficial they are ,most people don't realise the gold they have until some one comes and sees the value of what u have....go Nguni.
Thanks for the support! It's important to promote what we have!
Let’s call her Nandipha!!!!🎉🎉 because she’s elegant like that
Good name - but too close to Nandi, which is the other breeders name.
Once again, awesome content.
Thanks man!
I'm an Agricultural student and I really enjoy your content because I learn something new every time I watch your videos😌♥️🔥
I'm glad you are enjoying the videos!
Very interesting information on the amount of feed compared to the percentage actually used. I feel the problem would be how to determine the amount of feed compared to percentage converted. Because a cow eating 4 percent daily but digesting 40 would be in similar condition to the 2 percent daily but with 70 percent digesting. I think the best way to infer who is effective at feed conversion ,would be in time of low feed. So basically keep the animals that keep condition in naturally occurring events such as drought and cull those who don’t, Because effectively you’re controlling one of the variables in the equation, feed intake. So ,this a case we’re old time farmer knowledge is backed by science.
Hi John,
I was contemplating the exact same scenario and came to the exact same conclusion. It's ironic that I'd need the results of a study to teach me what the old timers have alwsys known!
Thanks for the comment!
Beautiful content I really appreciate what you spoke about in this video , am also learning about livestock farming wanted to focus more on feedlot, was learning about all the nutrition needed to fatten the cow. The topic that you spoke about of feed digestion and how it can affect the body condition of a cattle. Got me thinking a lot because I was asking myself about what happens when you feed a cow and it doesn’t reach the body condition needed by the market what could have went wrong in the cattle.
Thanks! I'm delving more into the finer side of cattle production and it's amazing how much we don't know! I'm really enjoying this journey of discovery and learning!
Let’s call the black heifer “Ndoni” (The berry of waters” we usually call dark skinned beautiful African women by that name.
Another very informative video. Honestly speaking i thought all animals digest over 60% of what they consume. Very interesting topic.
I really like that!
Appreciate your content man. After watching your videos, I always sit down and think hard about the information you provided and how I should go about things.
Also I suggest you give the heifer the name Thato
.. meaning love ( considering you live in the FreeState and the indigenous people there are Sotho)
Thanks man! I appreciate your thoughts on the name!
What mineral salt block would you recommend?....!!
I would say pure salt would be the best way to start.
Thank you for your videos they add value to our struggles and you give solutions to lot of doubts
Thanks, I'm glad you find the content useful!
Thanks for sharing Shane, very inspired to one day take care of a hardy breed
Thanks!
Your cattle looks amazing 🎉
Thanks!
Exsteen Nguni stud breed genetics,
gelykfontein Nguni stud breed genetics 👌
I'd like to start my herd with those two
I was after one of the Gelykfontein pregnant heifers but the price just ran away!
@shanecotty3275 no way sorry man!😅 eish
Great Content!!! Thanks for more references shared - the name for your heifer "Phinifa" (Apron in English) & pronounced as - pinˈifär - her colours are very uniform all around and she is very feminine...
Thanks, I really appreciate that!
great content. A lot of guys need to tap into understanding the importance of EBV's and how they affect your herd. especially when it comes to the bull you use. medium framed animals are a win. I suggest the name Buhle.
Hi Kamora,
I must admit that I don't subscribe to the EBV value system much. Because I follow the teachings of some radical thinkers (Johann Zietsman, Ian Mitchel-Innes, Pikkie Uys etc) there are more important traits (to me) that I prefer to look at. EBV's are fine if you plan on following the traditional commercial farming system and you are happy to supplement cattle feed when needed. However because I'm aiming for a different type of animal and thus approach - EBV's hold no real value to me. I'm aiming at veld raised, grass produced beef and my TYPE of animal doesn't fit into the general commercial mould.
Love your videos, I'm a Drakensberger guy for all the reasons you farm with Nguni's. You should really check the breed out 💪🏻 to sustainability.
Hi Louis,
I'm well aware of the Drakensberger and I hope to visit a farmer who does UHDG with them near Reitz! I also follow Pikkie Uys who has the oldest Drakensberger Stud in the country. They are BRILLIANT animals and definitely undervalued!
Thanks for the comment!
Awesome herd. Some advocate for uniformity in terms breed selection. In your case, what's the idea behind farming with different breeds, Simbra, Nguni, Tuli, and the recent member of the herd Senepol x Tuli calf?
Hi Jabulani,
I plan on breeding my own Veldmasters - which is a principle rather than a breed! The requirement is that your crosses must be at least 50% indigenous component.
There is no restriction on the breeds/combinations you use so you basically have a blank canvass!
I am deeply in love with Nguni, despite the fact that I am a township lad and have never been close to a cow. However, I have had those dejavu moments, and I have a feeling that my genes have been in close proximity to this at some point in the past.
I would suggest that the Nguni Heifer be named Nkosazana.
Thanks Andile, I'll add the name to the list.
Hi i just want to say your videos have helped me alot and I've learned alot out of it and my dream is to get Ngunis but you can't get them where i am
I'm happy you're enjoying the videos.
I recall a piece of advice that was given to me many years ago before i embarked on my farming career that u may find useful.
If you want to farm with ngunis then go out and get ngunis and if you want to farm with herefords go out and get herefords but dont spend your life trying to turn herefords into ngunis. The message was complicated cross breeding programs take many years to complete without producing a uniform standard and result in a bit of this and a bit of that. Often by the time you start getting to what you envisaged you are ready to retire!!
Hey Mark,
Some good advice there! My goal is to actually produce a composite breed for my farm. Why? Well, just because I can! It's part of the challenge to see if I can make any meaningful combinations. My herd is small and I don't expect it to make any major financial contribution to my income so the playing field is open! I'll keep some Ngunis pure - but their offspring will still contribute to the commercial side.
it's kind of like a paying hobby - if that makes sense?
Hey how are you man. It’s Sidwell here. Can a farmer do Feedlot farming with the Tuli? I stead of grazing around the farm or veld. Can we feedlot them rather?? Thanks.
Sid
Hey Sidwell,
You can. You just need the correct ration. Not sure what that is though.
Been following for a short time but i must say, i am learning alot and enjoying it, and thats oxymoronic for me😅
Glad you are enjoying the journey!
There is a breeder called Nandi, but the names still sound very good for Bella's daughter. Or you could call it Malaika
Thanks! Out of respect to the breeder I'll look at names not similar. Thanks though!
This is new information to me..
To me as well!
Thank you about your video's help us too much bra
You're welcome! I'm glad they're helpful.
How does one get in touch with you? I have so many questions.
Set your comments to private and I'll send you my number.
You can call the black heifer Ndoni which means a black water berry, used to describe a particularly and infinitely beautiful dark skinned beauty, an evergreen tree to describe the hardiness and resilient body condition and an ode to the forever flowing stream of the perennial stream.
That’s a good name for her I think 😂😂😂
Thanks for the suggestion!
I Suggest you name her NANDI which means SWEET or Pleasant a name that conveys charm….. great idea on sharing our content a you plug it in wow good initiative where can we reach you directly?…… I think the behaviour of cows staying behind with a new mother an calve was introduced to the herd by Bella because you never experienced the same with your first calve…I actually noticed a lot of good changes in your herd behaviour since Bella arrived and according to me it can only be her because she seem to be leader and very dominant.
I think she splits the animals to bring or introduce the instincts of theft management even attack to all the animals at a go and also grazing management ……just my thoughts 😂😂😂😂😂😂but in Bella you got a great cow which is very educating to other animals
Hi Tebogo,
Nice name - but out if respect to the Nandi Nguni breeder I'll have to look at something else.
Thanks though!
call her Naledi which directly translates to english as Star
Thanks ntebogang! I'll add it to the list.
Since you have a couple of different bulls, is it one of your aims to build a veldmaster herd like Johan Ziestsman's advice
It's exactly my plan! I might do a few pure ngunis on the side - but ultimately I'm aiming for my own veldmasters!
your herd is looking amazing.
Appreciate it!
Her name is Nkosazana
Thanks for the suggestion!
Om in die aand te sit en jou videos kyk is altyd iets waarna ek uitsien!
Dankie Janco! Ek waardeer dit opreg! Net jammer ek het nie altyd genoeg tyd om nuwes te maak nie.
@ nee wat alles reg man, die hoeveelheid videos soos hulle nou uitkom is perfek
How is Basjan doing ?
Hi Pieter,
Basjan is doing well!
I see you also have Nguni's?
Yathitha (pronounced Ya-tea-tah) which is a Xhosa name that translates to Moonlight/Luna.
I enjoy watching your videos, they’re very informative. 🙏🏿
Thanks!
How old are the heifers
Hi Mothusi,
The simbra heifers are 12 mths old.
That cows nead a Boran bull
Hi Johan,
Daar sal wel in die toekoms bietjie Boran bykom!
I Suggest you name her NANDI which means SWEET or Pleasant a name that conveys charm….. great idea on sharing our content a you plug it in wow good initiative where can we reach you directly?…… I think the behaviour of cows staying behind with a new mother an calve was introduced to the herd by Bella because you never experienced the same with your first calve…I actually noticed a lot of good changes in your herd behaviour since Bella arrived and according to me it can only be her because she seem to be leader and very dominant.
I think she splits the animals to bring or introduce the instincts of theft management even attack to all the animals at a go and also grazing management ……just my thoughts 😂😂😂😂😂😂but in Bella you got a great cow which is very educating to other animals
Hi Tebogo,
Thanks for your input. I have a few names to consider!