The Nguni is a phenominal breed. We need more and more awareness. A breed with minimal input and maximum output thanks to its adaptability qualities. What more can we ask for? Another wonderful post. Well done Dawie and thank you Shane.
Howsit Shane. I think that those that see the true value of the Nguni breed are currently in a remarkable position. They are so undervalued in the market and this presents a great opportunity for somebody who wants to grow their herd. As margins continue to tighten this breed will eventually show its worth. There are also many marketing options available and options for crossbred terminal mating to avoid the discrimination from feedlots. What a breed!!
Hey Vaughn, I really hope that you right! I often think that people are too stubborn/narrow minded to really consider other options when times get tough! I can't wait to cross mine with some other breeds!
Thanks to channels such as yours Shane, who are sharing the wonders of the Nguni breed with the world. I am convinced in the not too distant future, this breed will reclaim their recognition in the market given the ever increasing input costs and tight profit margins. Thanks for sharing.
Great video again Shane. If I may suggest a topic in the future, how the Nguni breeders cross for slaughter and their strategies. I would've liked to have heard more on the Angus/Nguni crosses. I read an article on their website about that.
Thanks! Actually they do this cross on the farm and the animals look really good. Unfortunately they were in the mountain camp and I wasn't able to film them!
Some sell weaners but most sell oxen. Solid coated calves can be sold as weaners but the moment you get spots/coat patterns - they are discriminated against.
Seeing the pasture those Ngunis are thriving on is amazing, and it's just hard to believe they don't get any hay or grain. My Angus/Hereford wouldn't last in those conditions without lots of hay & grain, the Nguni are truly amazing Cattle. And like someone else commented, a Ram Sheep and a Buck Goat that have been cut (castrated) are both called a Weather here' in the States.
Hi Blitzkrieg, I actually visited a farmer the previous day who farms with Angus - under similar conditions. Granted - they were a little thin, but they were doing way better than I would have expected! I actually believe that he would do even better if he decreased his frame size a little - but it's not my place to lecture him. Hopefully I'll be able to do a video on his herd in january. Thanks for the comment!
@@shanecotty3275 Yeah I really like seeing the videos of the oter Farmers over there, I find it very interesting. And I'm always looking for ways to improve my knowledge. And it's surprising that the Angus were doing pretty good, that shows how good animals can adapt to their environment.
I recently watched a video where Hereford had adapted to the desert. Of course it takes time to build such a herd and they will look a little different to the typical breed standard. But it's doable.
@@shanecotty3275 Yeah, time has showed that animals can & do adapt to whatever environment they find themselves living in. It may take quite a while, and they might not look the best during the time it takes. But the stronger animals will make it.
For the first time I see what it's like farming in the northern cape, the body condition score is so great I can't believe they are only getting white salt.
Great video, Shane amazing livestock all around. I've made up my mind about getting Nguni breed and mating them back to Boran/Brahman Communal farming is tough, what you mentioned about communal farmers producing marketable product truly stuck with me🙏🏾
Hi Ashell, Thanks for the kind words! I think you're on the right path. It doesn't help trying to market calves from an exotic breed that does not fit your environment. So rather approach it the way you are - by mixing in some indigenous blood to improve the adaptation of your cows. You might still face challenges marketing to feedlots - but at least you will produce more efficiently and have more calves to market - thus improving your profitability.
I have started with high density grazing on severe sourveld at 2000m above sea level. Results are very encouraging. Had an Nguni bull get into some Brahman cows, the offspring are looking absolutely incredible.
Hi Kennedy Kidd, Thanks for watching! High density grazing with suitable rest periods is what he did. Of course there are other options too. In this country farmers would typically apply set stock grazing where his herd would be put in a 1000ha camp for 3 months. He decreased the camp size to 45 ha and grazed for 7 days.
Hey brother. It’s Sidwell again here. That you for your shout out. Do you think with the Tuli and can do both feedlot and grazing? The land I have seems to be the same as this. I will introduce grass seeds and some trees to try and re- forest the land. It has red soils.
These Ngunis are built different! Do you think other African breeds like the Mashona could also keep good fertility given the terrain and climate conditions? The landscape there looks very similar to the semi arid rangelands of northeastern Mexico, mainly the states of Coahuila and parts of Nuevo León. Very interesting to see these Ngunis thriving… regarding the grazing, do you know what size paddocks the farmer is using and how many moves per day? You mentioned the farms being at least 1000 hectares so I’m curious how they are sectioning up the land to achieve the positive effects of the high density grazing. In that regard, im curious how many lbs or kgs of cattle per hectare is he usually running to achieve his outcomes. Im sure some water harvesting and earthworks could keep the monsoon water around for much longer and would likely increase the vegetation production capacity of the landscape significantly. Have you come across the Keyline design methodology by chance? It’s a great tool and framework that I recommend land stewards to utilize to help achieve their goals of optimizing their landscape layout and function.
The Mashona and Nguni DNA was tested and compared. The Mashona was found to be an Nguni ecotype and is now officially recognised as such by the Nguni Breeders Society. So there is no reason to expect less from the Mashona.
@@shanecotty3275great to know, thanks for that clarification. Mashona will be my selection going forward given their somewhat available here in Mexico. Ngunis are much harder to come by and I like the fact that the Mashona are usually polled.
Hi Fufy, Remember that intense rotational graxing will look different in different areas and climates. His camps are 45ha on average, he grazes them for 7 days then rests the camps for around 400 days! So sufficient rest based on your area is critical!
I see there are more views than likes, let’s like the video …the more likes the more the video will be recommended and this channel will grow bigger. Watch and like the video please.
The Nguni is a phenominal breed.
We need more and more awareness.
A breed with minimal input and maximum output thanks to its adaptability qualities. What more can we ask for?
Another wonderful post.
Well done Dawie and thank you Shane.
Howsit Shane. I think that those that see the true value of the Nguni breed are currently in a remarkable position. They are so undervalued in the market and this presents a great opportunity for somebody who wants to grow their herd. As margins continue to tighten this breed will eventually show its worth. There are also many marketing options available and options for crossbred terminal mating to avoid the discrimination from feedlots. What a breed!!
Hey Vaughn,
I really hope that you right! I often think that people are too stubborn/narrow minded to really consider other options when times get tough!
I can't wait to cross mine with some other breeds!
As an aspiring Nguni farmer, I am really grateful for the insights u present in ur videos. B blessed Mnr!!!
Thanks and good luck!
Thanks to channels such as yours Shane, who are sharing the wonders of the Nguni breed with the world. I am convinced in the not too distant future, this breed will reclaim their recognition in the market given the ever increasing input costs and tight profit margins. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Felani,
I really hope that people realise the value and true potential of the breed!
Great video again Shane. If I may suggest a topic in the future, how the Nguni breeders cross for slaughter and their strategies. I would've liked to have heard more on the Angus/Nguni crosses. I read an article on their website about that.
Thanks! Actually they do this cross on the farm and the animals look really good. Unfortunately they were in the mountain camp and I wasn't able to film them!
@shanecotty3275 do you know if they sell those as weaners or sell them as oxen? I'm seriously considering getting Ngunis
Some sell weaners but most sell oxen. Solid coated calves can be sold as weaners but the moment you get spots/coat patterns - they are discriminated against.
Seeing the pasture those Ngunis are thriving on is amazing, and it's just hard to believe they don't get any hay or grain. My Angus/Hereford wouldn't last in those conditions without lots of hay & grain, the Nguni are truly amazing Cattle. And like someone else commented, a Ram Sheep and a Buck Goat that have been cut (castrated) are both called a Weather here' in the States.
Hi Blitzkrieg,
I actually visited a farmer the previous day who farms with Angus - under similar conditions.
Granted - they were a little thin, but they were doing way better than I would have expected!
I actually believe that he would do even better if he decreased his frame size a little - but it's not my place to lecture him.
Hopefully I'll be able to do a video on his herd in january.
Thanks for the comment!
@@shanecotty3275 Yeah I really like seeing the videos of the oter Farmers over there, I find it very interesting. And I'm always looking for ways to improve my knowledge. And it's surprising that the Angus were doing pretty good, that shows how good animals can adapt to their environment.
I recently watched a video where Hereford had adapted to the desert. Of course it takes time to build such a herd and they will look a little different to the typical breed standard.
But it's doable.
@@shanecotty3275 Yeah, time has showed that animals can & do adapt to whatever environment they find themselves living in. It may take quite a while, and they might not look the best during the time it takes. But the stronger animals will make it.
For the first time I see what it's like farming in the northern cape, the body condition score is so great I can't believe they are only getting white salt.
The Northern Cape can be tough! But these Nguni are adapted and doing well.
Man you've gotten alot more popular
I remember when you just started I hope you grow even more
Thanks I appreciate it! Just trying to keep things real!
Great video! I learn something new every time.
Glad to hear it!
Great video, Shane amazing livestock all around.
I've made up my mind about getting Nguni breed and mating them back to Boran/Brahman
Communal farming is tough, what you mentioned about communal farmers producing marketable product truly stuck with me🙏🏾
Suggestion, mention weaning weight and age when you visit the Breeders.
When The Breeders actually mate their heifers and weight?
Hi Ashell,
Thanks for the kind words!
I think you're on the right path. It doesn't help trying to market calves from an exotic breed that does not fit your environment.
So rather approach it the way you are - by mixing in some indigenous blood to improve the adaptation of your cows. You might still face challenges marketing to feedlots - but at least you will produce more efficiently and have more calves to market - thus improving your profitability.
Hi Ashell,
Thanks for the suggestion - I'll definately bring that in!
I have started with high density grazing on severe sourveld at 2000m above sea level. Results are very encouraging. Had an Nguni bull get into some Brahman cows, the offspring are looking absolutely incredible.
Hey Craig,
Good to hear that! I would love to make contact with you - would love to see photos of the offspring!
Its time you registered your nguni stud,you have everything you need...
Thanks, I'm working on it! 👍
Brilliant as always great great content
Thank you for watching!
The beauty of Nguni
Good breed indeed
Agree!
Nguni cattle will never cease to amaze
They are amazing!
What management strategies can be put in place to improve the carrying capacity so significantly?
I’d really like to see a video about stocking a farm and managing the camps to improve grazing
Hi Kennedy Kidd,
Thanks for watching!
High density grazing with suitable rest periods is what he did. Of course there are other options too.
In this country farmers would typically apply set stock grazing where his herd would be put in a 1000ha camp for 3 months.
He decreased the camp size to 45 ha and grazed for 7 days.
Yhoooo!! Ek will koffie drank met daarhie man.
🤣🤣🤣 with the drought I think it would rather be BRANDEWYN!
Nguni ❤
Nguni is just special
Agree!
Thanx for the shout out 👌🏿👌🏿
You're welcome! 😁
Just a bit of information. A castrated ram is called a Wether.
Hey David,
Thanks! Don't know why I was brain dead on the day! 🤣🤣🤣
Hey brother. It’s Sidwell again here. That you for your shout out. Do you think with the Tuli and can do both feedlot and grazing? The land I have seems to be the same as this. I will introduce grass seeds and some trees to try and re- forest the land. It has red soils.
Hey Sidwell,
I have no doubt that they can! You just need the correct tation formulation. Good luck with your plans - I really hope they work out!!!
These Ngunis are built different! Do you think other African breeds like the Mashona could also keep good fertility given the terrain and climate conditions? The landscape there looks very similar to the semi arid rangelands of northeastern Mexico, mainly the states of Coahuila and parts of Nuevo León. Very interesting to see these Ngunis thriving… regarding the grazing, do you know what size paddocks the farmer is using and how many moves per day? You mentioned the farms being at least 1000 hectares so I’m curious how they are sectioning up the land to achieve the positive effects of the high density grazing. In that regard, im curious how many lbs or kgs of cattle per hectare is he usually running to achieve his outcomes. Im sure some water harvesting and earthworks could keep the monsoon water around for much longer and would likely increase the vegetation production capacity of the landscape significantly. Have you come across the Keyline design methodology by chance? It’s a great tool and framework that I recommend land stewards to utilize to help achieve their goals of optimizing their landscape layout and function.
The Mashona and Nguni DNA was tested and compared. The Mashona was found to be an Nguni ecotype and is now officially recognised as such by the Nguni Breeders Society.
So there is no reason to expect less from the Mashona.
@@shanecotty3275great to know, thanks for that clarification. Mashona will be my selection going forward given their somewhat available here in Mexico. Ngunis are much harder to come by and I like the fact that the Mashona are usually polled.
Nice video as always
Thanks for watching!
👌👌
Wish could find nguni seman in the usa
You should get Mashona semen in the USA. Mashona is considered an Nguni ecotype by the Breeders Society.
Oh ok
Inmiddels is ek oortuig ons moet vir ou Elon n paar Ngunis stuur sodat hy met hulle kan boer wanneer hy uiteindelik Mars toe vlieg 😂
😂
Ek glo hulle sal daar ook aanpas!🤣🤣🤣
how are they able to sustain such intense rotational grazing?
Hi Fufy,
Remember that intense rotational graxing will look different in different areas and climates. His camps are 45ha on average, he grazes them for 7 days then rests the camps for around 400 days! So sufficient rest based on your area is critical!
I see there are more views than likes, let’s like the video …the more likes the more the video will be recommended and this channel will grow bigger. Watch and like the video please.
Thanks Sbu,
I appreciate the gesture!
mooi man.
Dankie!
Nguni cattle are solution to challenges brought by climate change
They certainly are adaptable
English for castrated rams is wethers.
Thanks Johannes! En daar leer jy my my eie taal! 🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂@@shanecotty3275
@@shanecotty3275 En jy leer my baye van koeie. I'm sorry my Afrikaans is very limited being Dutch myself.
@@shanecotty3275 En jy leer my baie van koeie. I enjoy your channel a lot.
Absolutely nothing wrong with your afrikaans! Thanks for being a good sport!!! 🍻
castrated rams =wethers
Thanks Michael! 🍻