Afrikaner_2020_deel 2.pdf

592020 journal AFRIKANER

60 AFRIKANER joernaal 2020

en veldikte) word ook aangeteken. Beide VOV en RVI is erflik, wat beteken dat ‘n teler kan selekteer vir hierdie ekonomies belangrike eienskappe en nageslag teel wat ook die eienskap sal besit. Na afloop van die toets word daar ook ultrasoniese skandering gebruik om ‘n aantal aanwysers van die karkas-eienskappe van die dier te evalueer, insluitend vleisopbrengs, binnespierse vet (marmering) en onderhuidse vet.

RVI in konteks

Die afgelope drie jaar was daar ‘n geweldige belangstelling en aanvraag na die evaluering van die residuele-voerinname (RVI) by die bultoetssentrums. RVI is ‘n maatstaf vir voer-doeltreffendheid en deur dit te verbeter, sal voer koste verlaag word, as gevolg van die seleksie van meer doeltreffende diere. ‘n Voer-doeltreffende dier is een wat minder voer benodig om ‘n kg liggaamsgewig te produseer en dus ‘n meer winsgewende dier. RVI is in wese die verskil tussen die werklike voerinname en die voorspelde voerinname (bepaal deur liggaamsgewig en groeitempo) vir die dier, en dit is ook onafhanklik van groei en volwasse grootte, een van die nadele waaraan VOV ly. Die voorspelde voerinname is ‘n funksie van beide die diere se vereistes vir instandhouding, wat verband hou met liggaamsgewig, sowel as groei. RVI is onafhanklik van beide liggaamsgewig en gemiddelde daaglikse toename, maar is positief gekorreleer met voerinname. Navorsing het getoon dat die eienskap matig oorerflik is, wat die seleksie vir die eienskap moontlik maak. Navorsing het ook aangedui dat verhoogde voer-doeltreffendheid gepaard gaan met die vermindering van die emissies van kweekhuisgasse van herkouers, wat dit uiters wenslik maak om, uit ‘n koolstofvoetspoor-oogpunt, doeltreffender diere te selekteer. Daar is ook getoon dat RVI nie gekorreleer is met ‘n reeks produksie eienskappe, bv. daaglikse toename en speengewig nie. ‘n Verbeterde voer-doeltreffendheid by koeie is byvoorbeeld van besondere belang, aangesien soveel as 65% van die voer gebruik word om aan die koei se instandhouding-vereistes te voldoen.

‘n RVI-waarde is ook eenvoudig om te interpreteer: diere met lae of negatiewe RVI-waardes is doeltreffender as dié met hoë of positiewe waardes: ‘n kalf met ‘n waarde van -1,5 verbruik 1,5kg minder per dag as al die diere in die vergelykbare groep. Die evaluering van RVI is ook een van die fokus-eienskappe wat gevalueer word deur die Genomika-projek. Die hoofdoel van hierdie projek is om die genetiese verbetering, deur die gebruik van DNA-tegnologie, vinniger te monitor en tans neem 17 rasse aan die projek deel.

Samevatting

Die LNR is ‘n lid van die ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording) en het sy Sertifikaat van Gehalte en daarom is die registrasie en verwerking van data by die sentrums in ooreenstemming met internasionaal erkende gehaltestandaarde. Gesentraliseerde groei- en voer-doeltreffendheid toetsing is ‘n waardevolle instrument vir die produsent, as dit kom by die evaluering van die ekonomiese doeltreffendheid van ‘n dier, wat weer die winsgewendheid van beesvleis-produksie beïnvloed.

economically important traits and breed progeny that will also possess the trait. At the completion of the test, real time ultrasound (RTU) scanning is also used to assess a number of indicators of the carcass characteristics of the animal, including beef yield, intramuscular fat (marbling) and subcutaneous fat.

RFI in context

There has been a tremendous interest and demand for assessing Residual Feed Intake (RFI) at the bull test centres in the past three years. RFI is a measurement of feed efficiency and by improving it, costs will be reduced as a result of the selection of more efficient animals. A feed efficient animal is one that requires less feed to produce a kg of body weight and thus a more profitable animal. RFI, in essence, is the difference between actual feed intake and predicted feed intake (determined by body weight and growth rate) for the animal and it is also independent from growth and mature size, one of the disadvantages that FCR suffers from. The predicted feed intake is a function of both an animal’s requirements for its maintenance related to body weight, as well as growth. RFI is independent of both body weight and average daily gain, but is positively correlated with feed intake. Research has shown that the trait is moderately heritable which makes selection for the trait possible. Research has also indicated that increased feed efficiency is associated with a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from ruminants, making it highly desirable to select for more efficient animals from a carbon footprint point of view. RFI has also been shown not to be correlated with a range of production traits, e.g. daily gain and weaning weight. An improved feed efficiency in cows, for instance, is of particular importance since as much as 65% of feed is used to meet mature cow maintenance requirements.

A RFI value is also simple to interpret: animals with low or negative RFI values are more efficient than those with high or positive values: a calf with a value of -1.5 will consume 1.5 kg less per day than all the animals in it’s contemporary group. Assessing RFI is also one of the focal traits being assessed by the Beef Genomics Project. The main objective of this project is to enable fast tracking of genetic improvement through the use DNA technology and currently 17 breeds participate in the project.

Conclusion:

The ARC is a member of ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording) and holds its Certificate of Quality and therefore all data recording and processing at the centres conform to internationally recognised quality standards. Centralized growth and feed efficiency testing has become a valuable tool for the producer when it comes to assessing the economic efficiency of an animal which, in turn, affects the profitability of beef production.


VIR BEESTE

FOR CATTLE

van ‘n deeglike identifikasiestelsel

of a proper identification system

DIE BELANGRIKHEID

THE IMPORTANCE

> > > S A K K I E VA N D E R M E R W EARC-Animal Production (Port Elizabeth)

The importance of a proper animal identification system is often neglected by farmers and made off as not of such high importance, because normally the cattle - / small stockowners will claim they know all their animals. Well, if that is the case you are unfortunately making a huge mistake and placing an unnecessary burden on yourself.

There are several very important reasons why a livestock owner should have a sound and proper identification system in place for all his livestock. An effective identification system is in fact one most important “must do’s” of a farmer, irrespective of the type or species of livestock he or she is farming with. This is of particular importance when starting up a livestock enterprise.

Die belangrikheid van ‘n deeglike identifikasie stelsel / sisteem word maklik afgeskeep deur vee eienaars en word gewoonlik verwater dat dit nie so belangrik hoef te wees nie omdat ons groot- en kleinvee eienaars dikwels sal sê: “Man, ek ken my diere.”

As dit wel die geval mag wees verseker ek u, dat u ‘n onnodige las hoofsaaklik vir uself skep.

Daar is verskeie baie belangrike redes waarom ‘n vee eienaar ‘n baie deeglike en behoorlike identifikasie sisteem vir sy diere in plek moet hê. Inteendeel, ‘n effektiewe identifikasie stelsel is een van die mees belangrikste dinge wat ‘n veeboer in plek moet hê, ongeag die tipe diere waarmee geboer word. Dit is veral belangrik om met die aanvang van u veeboerdery reeds ‘n goeie identifikasie stelsel in plek te hê.


What does the Animal Identification Act in say:

According to this act, Act No. 6 of 2002, it is compulsory to identify or mark all your animals in a prescribe manner.

This act applies to all animals declared by the minister, in which the short list will include cattle; sheep & goats; pigs; ostriches; horses and donkeys.

This act includes the whole of the national territory of the Republic of South Africa.

Every livestock owner should make an application for registration of an animal identification mark to the Registrar on the prescribed application form accompanied by the prescribed fee. The Registrar will then, if the application complies with the requirements of the act,

i. Allocate an identification mark to the applicant:

ii. Register such identification mark in the applicants name, and

iii. Issue to the applicant a certificate of registration of that identification mark.

• The Registrar will keep record of all animal identification marks issued, and each owner of animals must ̶̶

i. Apply for registration of an identification mark.

ii. Mark his/her animals in their the prescribed manner.

iii. Notify the registrar of any changes in his/her address.

iv. The owner must furnish a document of identification when animals are sold or disposed of.

• What does an identification mark look like?

i. An identification mark consists of not more than 3 letters of the alphabet or symbols (characters).

ii. A three-letter mark can be used in four different ways (see pictures below).

iii. Two-letter marks can be used in 2 different ways (see pictures below.)

iv. The characters may not touch one another.

v. The same mark may be used on cattle and/or small stock.

• Ways to identify your animals:

Tattoo mark: Tattoo tongs and ink are used to mark the animals.

Ear Notching: Stock owners mark their animals by making specific markings.

Hot iron branding: The stock owner burns a mark on the skin of his animals with a hot iron.

Wat sê die Wet op Diere Identifikasie:

Vervolgens hierdie wet, Wet No. 6 van 2002, is dit absoluut VERPLIGTEND om alle diere in ‘n persoon se besit volgens die wetlik voorgeskrewe metode te merk en te identifiseer.

Die wet is duidelik van toepassing op ALLE diere soos deur die Minister verklaar word, en wat in kort die volgende spesies insluit; naamlik Beeste; Skape; Bokke; Varke; Volstruise; Perde; Donkies; asook sekere voël spesies bv. ganse; makoue en eende.

Hierdie wet dek die hele Nasionale Grondgebied van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika.

Elke vee eienaar moet aansoek doen om Registrasie van ‘n Diere Identifikasie Merk by die Registrateur op die voorgeskrewe vorm vergesel van die toepaslike fooie.

Die Registrateur sal dan, indien die aansoek aan die wetlike vereistes voldoen,

i. ‘n Identifikasie merk / kode aan die aansoeker toeken of goedkeur.

ii. Die Identifikasie merk / kode in die aansoeker se naam registreer, en

iii. Daar sal ook ‘n Sertifikaat van Registrasie wat die registrasie merk / kode bevat aan die aansoeker uitgereik word.

• Die Registrateur sal rekord hou van al die identifikasie merke / kodes wat uitgereik is, en elke vee eienaar MOET sy diere dienooreenkomstig merk:

i. Doen aansoek vir registrasie van ‘n identifikasie merk / kode.

ii. Merk jou diere volgens die voorgeskrewe standaarde.

iii. Stel die Registrateur onmiddellik in kennis ten opsigte van enige adres verandering.

iv. Die eienaar moet skriftelike bewys lewer van identifikasie van die diere wanneer die diere verkoop word.

• Hoe lyk so ‘n Identifikasie merk / kode?

i. ‘n Identifikasie merk / kode bestaan uit 3 letters van die alfabet of uit saamgestelde simbole.

ii. ‘n Drie-letter merk of kode kan in verskeie metodes of vorme gebruik word (Sien die sketse as voorbeeld hieronder)

iii. Die merke kan op verskeidenheid metodes aangewend word solank die goedgekeurde letters / tekens / simbole gebruik word.

iv. Die karakters / letters en of simbole MAG nie aan mekaar raak nie.

v. Dieselfde goedgekeurde merk mag op kleinvee


en ander spesies van dieselfde eienaar gebruik word.

• Maniere om jou diere te identifiseer:

Tatoeëer merk: Tatoeëer tange en merk ink word wyd deur alle spesies gebruik.

Oor Knippe: Sien die ingeslote sketse hieronder.

Warm Yster Brandmerk: Die eienaar brand sy diere op die huid met ‘n warm yster.

Fries Brand merke: Diere word gebrand met ‘n koue yster – droë ys met spiritus.

Plastiese Oor - & Metaal Plaatjies: Wye verskeidenheid van plastiese plaatjies is in die mark beskikbaar. Metaal plaatjies is veral by bees- en skaap boerderye gewild. Deesdae is die vooraf gedrukte Laser-gedrukte plaatjies baie meer aanvaarbaar; aangesien die merke baie meer duidelik en sigbaar is. Die laser druk werk is baie meer duursaam, asook ‘n verskeidenheid van kleure; groottes en vorme is beskikbaar.

Elektroniese Skyfie: Dit is ‘n baie goeie sisteem maar ongelukkig nog baie duur om op kommersiële boerderye te gebruik.

• Merk van Stoet / Geregistreerde Diere:

Geregistreerde diere moet ooreenkomstig die reëls van die onderskeie Telers Genootskappe gemerk word.

Telers Genootskappe sal aan hul telers voorskryf hoe diere gemerk moet word, gewoonlik word twee verskillende metodes van identifikasie gebruik gemaak.

Vleisbees rasse gebruik hoofsaaklik brand merke tesame met of oor knippe of tatoeëring of oorplaatjies.

Registrasie Sertifikate word deur die LNR en Stamboek vir alle geregistreerde diere aan telers uitgereik.

Freeze branding: The animals are branded by using a coolant, dry ice and methylated spirits.

Ear & Metal Tags: A wide variety of tags are available on the market (as well as pre- Laser printed tags).

Electronic Tagging: Very good system, but unfortunately still expensive.

• Marking of Stud / Registered Animals:

Registered animals are marked according to marks allocated by the Breed Societies.

Breed Societies will prescribe the method of marking (normally two different types of marking).

Beef breeds mainly uses branding, ear notching, tattooing and tagging (metal or plastic tags).

Certificates of registration are issued for all stud animals.

a) Tattooing

i. Tattooing is very popular and basically all animals can be tattooed, but sometimes the breed of animal, due to its darker pigmentation, will be difficult to tattoo. In that case branding is an option.

a) Most commonly, animals will be tattooed in the ear, also in the inside of the front leg of sheep, on the shoulder of pigs and horses & donkeys on the upper jaw or on the lower lip.

b) Interesting to know is that geese and ducks are tattooed on their feet.

c) Ostriches are tattooed on their upper thigh.

ii. The act prescribes that tattoos must not be bigger than 20 mm at the widest and highest part of the tattoo and the ink that is used be as dark (black) as possible.

iii. Livestock may be tattooed from the age of one month.


iv. Ostriches can be tattooed at the age of one month – and can be branded at the age of six months.

v. Benefits of Tattooing

Low pain threshold to animals

Very little stress to animals

Tattoos are easier and faster to read

All animals can be tattooed

Permanent marking – for the life of the animal

Safe and non-toxic

b) Ear Notches

i. Ear notches in beef cattle is very popular, basically, all animals can be identified.

d) Most commonly, beef cattle will receive ear notches, which will compose of a numerical number.

e) Sheep and Pigs are more likely to be tattooed.

f) Ostriches must be tattooed on their upper thigh.

g) Horses and donkeys are normally tattooed on the inner side of the lip.

h) Ear notches are done in the left and right ears of animals.

i) Use even numbers for female and uneven numbers for male animals.

c) Benefits and disadvantages of Ear Notches

Notches grow out of size if animals are still too young when identified.

Take care not to make mistakes, DO NOT make the notches too big.

Ear tags may be used together with ear notching.

Very stressful to animals when it’s done on older mature animals.

Best time to administer ear notching is towards the end of weaning age.

Do the notches in winter to limit infections, treat with wound oil afterwards.

Permanent mark – for the lifetime of an animal.

a) Tatoeëring:

i. Tatoeëring is baie gewild onder vee eienaars en basies kan feitlik enige spesie getatoeëer word, maar by sommige diere waar donkerder pigmentasie voorkom of by diere waarvan die huidkleur swart is, is tatoeëring natuurlik NIE ‘n opsie nie. In sulke gevalle word ander metodes van identifikasie vereis, soos bv. Brandmerke.

a) In die meeste gevalle sal diere gewoonlik in die oor getatoeëer word, terwyl by skape en bokke aan die binnekant van die voorbene getatoeëer kan word. Varke word gewoonlik in die oor of op die skouerblad getatoeëer, terwyl perde en donkies aan die binnekant van die boonste kaak of op die onderste lip getatoeëer word.

b) Interessant om te weet is dat waad voëls, soos ganse makoue en eende in hul pote getatoeëer word.

c) Volstruise word op hul bobene getatoeëer.

ii. Die Wet skryf voor dat tatoeëer merke nie groter as 20mm op die hoogste en wydste plek mag wees nie en dat die ink wat gebruik word so donker as moontlik sal wees, uiteraard werk swart ink wat op die mark beskikbaar is die heel beste.

iii. Lewendehawe mag al op jong ouderdomme getatoeëer word, selfs so jonk as een maand is aanvaarbaar. Daar moet egter ook in gedagte gehou word dat jong diere nog groei en dat dit later die tatoeëer merk kan verwring.

iv. Volstruise kan vanaf ouderdom een maand alreeds getatoeëer word, terwyl hul eers op jaar ouderdom gebrandmerk mag word.

v. Voordele van Tatoeëring:

Baie lae pyn drempel vir diere

Baie min stres vir die diere

Tatoeëer merke is baie makliker en vinniger om te lees.

Alle diere kan getatoeëer word

Permanente merk metode – vir die leeftyd van die dier

Dit is veilig en nie-giftig nie

b) Oor Knippe:

i. Oor Knippe is veral gewild by Vleisbeeste omdat diere so maklik geïdentifiseer kan word.

ii. Mees algemeen, sal vleisbeeste ‘n oor knip/pe ontvang wat ‘n numeriese syfers sal verteenwoordig. Skape en bokke sal hoofsaaklik getatoeëer word en oorplaatjies ontvang.


iii. Volstruise moet tatoeëer word op die boonste bobene en moontlik ‘n plastiek plaatjie deur die nekvel.

iv. Perde en Donkies word normaal tatoeëer op binne lip of kaak - geen oor knippe word op perde of donkies gebruik nie.

v. Oor Knippe kan gewoonlik in beide ore van die dier aangewend word.

vi. Gebruik byvoorbeeld ewe getalle vir vroulike diere, terwyl ongelyke getalle aan manlike diere toegeken kan word.

c) Voordele en Nadele van Oor Knippe:

Oor knippe groei uit indien te jong diere gemerk word.

Tref goeie voorsorg om nie foute te maak nie en moet nie die oor knippe te groot maak nie, veral by jong diere.

Oor plaatjies mag saam met oor knippe gebruik word.

Dit is geweldig stresvol vir diere wat alreeds ouer en volwasse is.

Die beste tyd om oor knippe toe te dien is so 2 maande voor speen.

Doen die oor knippe asook miskien onthoring in die winter om die moontlikheid van infeksies te beperk, behandel wonde met wond olie.

Permanente merk metode – vir die leeftyd van die dier.

c) Brandmerking:

i. Brandmerke op beeste kan basies op enige sigbare plek op die lyf gedoen word BEHALWE op die nek van ‘n bees wat vir die Staats Veearts gereserveer word. Die staatsveearts mag diere wat aan aansteeklike – en aan meldbare siektes lei, diere in die nek brand. So sal bv. vroulike diere wat Besmetlike misgeboorte onder lede het met ‘n “C” in die nek gebrand word.

ii. Vir brandyster merke is dit belangrik dat tussen 40 en 100 mm op hul wydste en hoogste sal meet.

iii. Die brandmerk karakters mag ook nie nader as 12,5 mm of verder as 19mm van mekaar af wees nie. (sien die foto hierbo)

iv. Die karakters moet NOOIT aan mekaar raak nie, en groot versigtigheid moet aan die dag gelê word wanneer toe karakters soos bv. A; B; D; O; P; Q and R gebruik word. Toe karakters soos hier genoem, veroorsaak dat bloed voorsiening aan die vel dood gebrand word met moontlike gevolge van infeksies.

v. Gebruik aparte ysters vir elke karakter en

c) Branding Also referred to as Hot Iron Branding

i. Hot iron branding in cattle can be done on any clearly visible part of the body accept in the neck, the neck is normally reserved for the State Vet in restricting contagious diseases.

ii. For hot iron branding it is important that the characters must be between 40mm to 100mm at the widest and the highest part of the mark.

iii. The branding characters may not be closer than 12,5mm or further than 19mm apart of each other, also see the above sketch

iv. The characters should NEVER touch each other, or be completely closed, letters for e.g. A; B;D;O;P;Q and R for instance should be used cleverly otherwise there is no blood circulation to heal the wound.

v. Use separate irons for each character, it makes it easier – unless your branding iron is well designed.

vi. Get everything ready before you start, use a crush or knee-halter for the animals by tying up the legs to prevent kicking and jumping.

vii. Test the hot iron on a piece of plank, reheat and put it against the skin of the animal.

viii. DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE to the iron, count slowly to three (3), (± 3 to 4 seconds), remove and continue with the other letters.

ix. Do not overdo the branding as it will become unreadable.

x. Younger animals should be branded for shorter periods (2,5 to 3 seconds).

xi. Immediately cool down the burn marks by using sufficient cold water. DO NOT RUB.

xii. Apply wound oil to the brand after cooling it down.

xiii. Animals must be ear-marked at age of one month and can also be branded from six months.

xiv. Cattle must already be branded at the age of two (2-tooth stage)

xv. Equines can be tattooed from the age of six months and branded from the age of 12 months.

The Breed Societies as well as the ARC – AP will issue a three alphabetical ID mark, which is referred to as the “Herd Designation Mark” (HDM) that will be registered by S.A. Studbook or the ARC – AP. This is a unique code that will not be duplicated in the same breed. In commercial beef cattle and dairy herds animals are identified by using a code that will always start with a “Z” which is followed by the HDM that identifies the owner.

S.A. Studbook, together with all the different breed


societies, have their own set of standards to which the breeders must comply. Breed Societies also work on a two-way method of positive identification that is the most frequently used and consists of:

A brand mark together with a tattoo (the lighter skin types of animals).

A brand mark together with ear notches.

A brand mark together with ear tags.

A brand mark together with metal ear tags.

A combination of a tattoo and various ear tags (metal & plastic).

An animal body pattern sketch as in the case of Friesland cattle together with a metal tag.

The most fool proof, most widely used method of numbering animals is by using the last two digits of the year of birth, directly followed by a 3 digit serial number; e.g. the first calf born in 2017 would then be 17 001 and the last calf for the year, the last number e.g. 17 349. This method allows you to allocate animal numbers up to 999 before starting a forth digit.

This method eliminates duplication of animal numbers.

A second method can be used where the livestock owner marks all his male animals with all the unequal numerical numbers e.g. 17 001; 17 003; 17 005; 17 399 etc. whilst all females will be marked with all the equal numbers, e.g. 17 002; 17 004; 17006 and 17 400 etc.

Some of the most important reasons why identification is vital:

Identification of animals assist farmers / handlers who do not know the animals.

Enhances identification of the lawful owner.

Assist in identifying animals with a reportable animal disease.

a Visible deterrent/defence against stock theft.

It enables a more effective recovery rate of stolen animals.

Assist in your daily livestock farming enterprise and recordkeeping.

Supports traceability of animals.

nommer – dit maak dit meer gemaklik.

vi. Kry alles gereed voordat daar gebrand word, ‘n drukgang en knie-halter sal baie handig te pas kom om te voorkom dat diere sal bokspring en skop.

vii. Toets altyd eers die hitte van die brandyster op ‘n plank om seker te maak die brandyster het die regte temperatuur, maak weer warm en plaas teen vel van die dier.

viii. MOET NIE HARD TEEN DIE VEL DRUK NIE, tel stadig tot by drie (3). Die brand-tyd moet so tussen 3 tot 4 sekondes varieer.

ix. MOET NIE OORBRAND (oordoen) NIE aangesien dit later onleesbaar gaan wees.

x. Jonger diere word gewoonlik vir korter periodes gebrand - so tussen 2.5 tot 3 sekondes.

xi. Verkoel die brandmerk onmiddellik met genoegsame koue water. MOET NIE die brandmerk enigsins VRYF nie.

xii. Behandel die brandmerk met wond olie nadat die brandplek genoegsaam afgekoel het.

xiii. Diere kan vanaf ouderdom een maand geoormerk word maar mag eers van ouderdom 6 maande ouderdom gebrandmerk word.

xiv. Volgens die wetgewing moet diere reeds op ouderdom 2 jaar reeds gebrand wees. (2 tand-gesny).

xv. Perde / Donkies mag op ouderdom 6 maande al getatoeëer word en op een jaar (12 maande) ouderdom gebrandmerk word.

Telers Genootskappe deur S.A. Stamboek, sowel as die LNR – Diere Produksie kan en sal ‘n drie of 4 letter alfabetiese Identifikasie merk kan toeken. Dit word na verwys as die Kudde Kenmerk (of die sogenaamde KKM). Hierdie KKM identifikasie kode sal nie in dieselfde ras gedupliseer word nie en is nie oordraagbaar nie. In kommersiële Vleisbees – en Suiwelkuddes word diere geïdentifiseer met ‘n kode wat met ‘n “Z” begin en opgevolg word deur die toegekende KKM wat dan die eienaar sal identifiseer. Sou diere vir teeldoeleindes verkoop word, behou die dier die kode wat deur die oorspronklike eienaar toegeken is.

S.A. Stamboek tesame met al die onderskeie Telers Genootskappe het hul eie stel standaarde wat ook deur wetgewing goedgekeur is, en waaraan telers ook streng moet voldoen. Telers Genootskappe tesame met S.A. Stamboek werk op ‘n twee (2) metode positiewe identifikasie stelsel. Die volgende word as voorbeeld gegee om die verskillende moontlike kombinasies aan te dui, naamlik:

‘n Brandmerk tesame met ‘n tatoeëer merk (veral op die ligter velkleur rasse)

70 AFRIKANER joernaal 202070 AFRIKANER joernaal 2020

‘n Brandmerk tesame met die korrekte oor knippe.

‘n Brandmerk tesame met ‘n tatoeëermerk.

‘n Brandmerk tesame met ‘n metaal- en/of plastiese oorplaatjie.

‘n Brandmerk tesame met twee verskillende plastiese plaatjies.

‘n Kombinasie van ‘n tatoeëermerk met metaal en/of plastiese oor plaatjies.

‘n Dier met liggaamsmerke wat geteken / geskets kan word, soos ingeval by die Friese tesame met oor en/of metaal oorplaatjie.

Die mees bekendste en veiligste manier van identifikasie nommers om aan diere toe te ken is die gebruik van die laaste twee karakters van die geboortejaar van die dier, gevolg deur die gebruik van ‘n 3 of 4 syfer volgnommer, afhangende van die grootte van die kudde.

Bv. ‘n dier wat verlede jaar gebore sou wees se identifikasie nommer sal altyd met 18 begin, gevolg deur ‘n volg nommer = 18 141 of 18 0141. Die metode om die jaartal te gebruik laat jou toe om tot ‘n duisend diere te kan merk.

Die gebruik van die jaartal in die identifikasie nommer het bepaalde sukses; aangesien elke nuwe jaar se volgreeks weer by een begin.

Hierdie metode beperk die duplisering van dier nommers.

Al die ongelyke numeriese nommers kan aan die manlike diere bv. 17001; 17005; 17 399 en al die gelyke numeriese nommers bv. 17002; 17004; 17014 17022 aan vroulike diere toegeken kan word.

Sommige van die mees belangrikste redes hoekom diere positiewe identifikasie moet hê:

Identifikasie van diere maak dit maklik vir eienaars en hanteerders.

Identifikasie van diere dui ook die regmatige eienaar aan.

Identifikasie is van baie groot waarde wanneer dier met aanmeldbare siektes geïdentifiseer word.

Dit is ŉ visuele afskrikmiddel / verdediging teen veral veediefstal.

Dit verhoog die effektiwiteit om gesteelde / verlore diere te kan uitken.

Dit is van baie groot waarde in die daaglikse lewendehawe boerdery om noukeurig rekord van elke dier te kan hou.

Dit ondersteun die naspeurbaarheid van diere.


Acknowledgements: Department of Agriculture.

Erkenning: Departement van Landbou.

Enige persoon, insluitend die afslaer, mark meester of agent wat diere koop en verkoop, MOET TEN ALLE TYE by die aflewering van die diere, dokumentasie ten opsigte van die Identifikasie of die registrasie sertifikaat van Identifikasie aan die nuwe koper oorhandig.

Die verkoopsdokumente sal die datum van verkope; die ras van die dier; die geslag; melding maak ten opsigte van die identifikasie en of brandmerke; asook die volle name en adresse van beide die verkoper en die koper bevat.

Die dokumentasie moet onder andere ook duidelik verklaar dat die verkoper die regmatige eienaar van die diere was en by magte is om dit te verkoop.

Die koper weer, is verplig om die dokumentasie vir ten minste een jaar na die koop datum the behou as bewys van sy aankope.

NIEMAND, MAG ‘n DIER IN SY NEK BRAND OF ENIGE MERK AANBRING NIE - dit is strafbaar volgens wetgewing.

Niemand, behalwe die staatsveearts mag diere aan beide kante van ‘n dier se nek brand nie.

Geen persoon mag enige brandmerk of identifikasie merk op ‘n dier aanbring indien die merke nie deur die Registrateur geregistreer is nie.

Niemand mag aan brandmerke peuter of veranderings probeer aanbring nie.

Niemand mag ‘n dier se oor afsny of verander om die identifikasie te verbloem of te probeer uitwis, of verander nie.

Die afsny van enige dier se ore om merke te verbloem is ernstig STRAFBAAR volgens wetgewing.

Niemand mag ‘n dier wie se merke / of identifikasie verander; geskend / beskadig is, koop of verkoop nie.

Any persons, including an auctioneer, agent, market master and farmer who sells an animal, MUST at all times of delivery of the animal, give the buyer a registration certificate or document of identification.

Documents offered has to state the date of sale, breed of animal, sex of the animal, any identification marks and/or brands as well as the full names and addresses of the seller and the buyer.

This documentation should also state that the seller was the legal owner of the stock and able to dispose of them.

The buyer on the other hand must retain the documentation from the seller for at least one year.

NOBODY MAY BRAND OR MARK ANY CATTLE ON THEIR NECK - This is punishable by law.

Nobody, except state veterinarians, are allowed to brand both sides of an animal’s neck.

No person may use any branding mark on an animal which has not been registered.

Nobody may alter, mutilate or erase the identification mark on an animal.

Nobody my sell and/or buy an animal on which an identification mark has been altered or mutilated.

It is a crime punishable by law, to buy or sell animals if their ears have been cut off without any lawful reason.

Het u geweet?

Did you know?


The physical characteristics of the claw consist of tubular, inter-tubular and laminar horn cells. The structure and position of the claw wall and heel determine the biomechanical characteristics and hardness or resistance. Conformation of the claw is important for functional efficiency as it affects the weight distribution on the claws and abnormal claws may result in pressure on the sensitive tissue. The shape of the claws also play a role as a shock absorber and larger claws may be more advantageous.

The colour of claws and hooves (horses) remain a controversial matter with breeders giving preference to darker claws. The colour is determined by the presence of melanin. Some older studies performed in horses reported no link between colour and quality, while a study by Runciman et al. (2004) reported that the peak-extraction force for removing nails were more variable in darker hooves compared to lighter hooves. A study performed by Myburgh in 2014 on Bonsmara cattle claws however found no association between hardness

Introduction

The concept of “functional efficiency” attributed to the late Prof Bonsma has played a major role in selection of functionality in beef cattle in South Africa. Functional efficiency comprise a number of aspects, including structural soundness of the legs and claws. Functional “traits” are however not all easy to measure or score objectively and scientific information on claw quality and traits in beef cattle are limited.

Claw quality is influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors of which the non-genetic factors make a major contribution. These include nutrition, the physical environment (climate and vegetation), the type of production system (intensive or extensive) and the type of management applied. The age and sex of the animal may also contribute to claw quality and health during its lifetime. Sound claws are a prerequisite for functional movement and serving ability associated with increased lifetime performance and longevity in cattle.

In this discussion, the term “claws” are used in line with the scientific terminology for cloven-footed animals as described in the Veterinary Anatomica. Cattle are cloven-footed animals as the claw consists of two digits, the outer (lateral) and inner (medial) claw, while horses have hooves with a continuous end digital structure. Herewith a brief overview of different aspects of claws that require consideration in the selection for improved claw quality and function.

Morphological characteristics

Good quality claws has been defined as having a sound structure and colour and are free of disease or lesions. In order to gain a better understanding of what consist sound structure, it is important to revisit its morphological characteristics. In Figure 1, the different components of the claw are shown, which include the horny wall, the sole and the heel (Toussaint Raven, 1989), each with a specific function to ensure normal claw function and claw structure.

BEEF CATTLEand functional efficiency in

CLAW QUALITY

> > > E S T E VA N M A R L E - K Ö S T E R (PhD, UP Pr. Anim. Sci.)Department of Animal & Wildlife Sciences, University of Pretoria

FIGURE 1 Anatomy of the bovine claw (Toussaint- Raven, 1989)


(measured as tensile strength) and colour. The majority of the claws studied were classified as dark indicating that breeders tend to select for darker claws.

Genetic factors and defects

The genetic inheritance of claw quality is complex and due to poor or no recording of claw traits, genetic parameters are limited. In dairy cattle where hoof trimming is done more routinely, heritability estimates vary from low to moderate. The American Angus breed has established a scoring system and a study by Wang in 2017 reported heritability estimates varying from 0.16 to 0.37 for the different foot angles and claw set.

The recording of claw traits should be done in combination with locomotion scores including leg soundness. Cattle tend to place more weight on the front limbs and overall conformation of the animal and weight in the hindquarters may influence locomotion and ease of movement. Recording of claw traits using scoring systems tend to be subjective and require trained staff to perform scores on a regular basis. It is important to note that the terminology used for describing claw characteristics and traits differ between countries, which complicates the evaluation and interpretation of the available data.

The International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) has compiled an atlas with a list of common claw defects and disorders used for identification primarily in dairy cattle. In Table 1 a number of common defects and the associated leg conformation in beef cattle are shown.

CLAW DEFECT DESCRIPTION LEG CONFORMATIONBeak claw Turned up toes, too much wear on back

part of foot and heal.Sickled hind legs

Rolled (corkscrew claw) Outside claw grows over the sole/ usually curls over inside claw.

Bowed hind legs – more weight on outside of foot, claw roles under

Scissor (curled claw) Claw grows outward, upward and curls. Knock kneesSmall feet Must carry larger weight in relation to

foot size - abrasion of the sole occur.Usually larger breeds and straight hocks

Uneven claw size Should be the same - not a huge concern. Knock kneesSplayed toes Due to weakness of tendons between

toes - stress on soft tissue, cracks and corns form.

Pigeon toed Toes inwardSteep pasterns & weak pasterns Stress on skeleton - shock absorption of

front limb is reducedNarrow stance - uneven weight on outside claw

Cracked claws Older cattle (can result in lameness).

TABLE 1 Claw defects and associated leg conformation in beef cattle

In Figures 2 and 3 examples of corkscrew and scissor or curled claws are shown. Both defects have been reported as heritable conditions but available heritability estimates are low.

FIGURE 2 Corkscrew claws

FIGURE 3 Scissor or curled claws


The development of precision farming and associated technologies, such as digital recording, holds potential for studying claws and conformation. Access to larger number of records over the lifetime of the animal will contribute to more effective selection and management of potential lameness in cattle.

Non-genetic factors

Non-genetic factors such as nutrition, management and the physical environment have been shown to influence claw quality. In certain regions of South Africa the physical environment seems to contribute to abnormal growth of claws (Figure 5), especially in areas with softer and sandier veld compared to rockier type of veld where the claws will naturally wear down and keep their normal shape and form.

In dairy cattle a number of studies have reported on claw measurements and traits due to the association with lameness, which has economic and welfare implications. The measurement in beef cattle is limited and more challenging due to the extensive nature of the production system. Traits measured in cattle studies include claw toe length, claw height, heel height, toe angle and claw width as well as the surface area of the sole (Figure 4).

FIGURE 4: Claw (toe) length (A), claw height (B), heel height (C), claw diagonal (D), toe angle (E) and claw width (F & G),F + G = digit width (Greenough & Weaver, 1997)

Seasonal trends influence claw growth with increased growth observed during the warmer seasons. A higher incidence of claw lesions are seen during periods of high rainfall as claws tend to become weakened when exposed to long periods of high moisture. Lesions such as

FIGURE 5 Beak claw

FIGURE 6 Cracked claws (Vertical Fissures)

digital dermatitis and heel erosion are common in dairy cattle as they are more exposed to continuous moisture in extensive dairy systems. In the dry season with low humidity, claws tend to become brittle and display vertical fissures and fractures (Figure 6). Variation in the keratinization of the keratinocytes of the claw between seasons could be linked to changes in photoperiod, temperature, management as well as dietary changes.

The age and weight of cattle could also act as predisposing factors for poor claw integrity and lameness. Higher incidences of claw problems such as laminitis and infectious lesions are usually observed in older cows. In older animals including bulls, it has been proposed that increased claw disorders may be partly explained by the relationship between body weight and age. A positive, unfavourable correlation has been reported between the occurrence of vertical fissures and age as well as between vertical fissures and weight (body condition).

Claw problems were also reported for bulls and steers under intensive feeding conditions. This could be attributed to metabolic changes due to feeding (high energy rations). Floor systems such as concrete result in too much wear and also play a role in claw problems observed in intensive feeding. It is important to distinguish between claw problems experienced under extensive versus intensive production systems for a fair and accurate evaluation of the problem. It is also important to consider the genetic basis of claw quality and potential inheritance of defects.

In the study by Myburgh (2014) the tensile strength and composition of claws were investigated for different bio-regions in South Africa. Significant effects were reported for bio-region, moisture content and calcium on tensile strength. The study includes a limited number of claws collected from phase D bull tests and further research is required on the influence of nutrition on claw quality.


Conclusion

Claw conformation and healthy claws are essential for functional efficiency in all cattle as it influences movement and serving ability in bulls. It is influenced by the environment and the genetics of the animal and requires an integrated approach for effective solutions and management. It is envisaged that digital technologies in future will assist in assessment and recording of claw traits for optimal selection and management.

ReferencesDouglas, J.E., Mittal, C., Thomason, J.J. & Jofriet, J.C., 1996.

The modulus of elasticity of equine hoof wall: implications for the mechanical function of the hoof. J. Exp. Bio. 199, 1829-1836.

Franck, A., Cocquyt, G., Simoens, P. & De Belie, N., 2006. Biomechanical properties of bovine claw horn. Biosystems Eng. 93, 459-467.

Hepburn, N.L., Kinninmonth, L. & Galbraith, H., 2007. Pigmentation, impression hardness and the presence of melanosomes in bovine claw tissue. J of Agric. Sci. 145, 283-290.

Heringstad, B., Egger-Danner, C., Charfeddine, N., Pryce, J.E., Stock, K.F., Kofler, J., Sogstad, A.M., Holzhauer, M., Fiedler, A., Müller, K. & Nielsen, P., 2018. Invited review: Genetics and claw health: Opportunities to enhance claw health by genetic selection. J. Dairy Sci. 101, 4801-4821.

Huang, Y.C. & Shanks, R.D., 1995. Within herd estimates of heritabilities for six hoof characteristics and impact of dispersion of discrete severity scores on estimates. Livest. Prod. Sci. 44, 107-114.

Huang, Y.C., Shanks, R.D. & McCoy, G.C., 1995. Evaluation of fixed factors affecting hoof health. Livest. Prod. Sci. 44, 115-124.

Myburgh, S., J., 2014 Morphological and physiological characteristics for the evaluation of claw quality in

Bonsmara cattle. MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Politiek, R.D., Distl, O., Fjeldaas, T., Heeres, T., McDaniel, B.T., Nielsen, E., Peterse, D.J., Reurink, A. & Strand-Berg, P., 1986. Importance of claw quality in cattle: Review and recommendations to achieve genetic improvement. Report of the E.A.A.P working group on “Claw quality in cattle”. Livest. Prod. Sci. 15, 132-152.

Runciman, C.J., Thomason, J.J., Springett, G., Bullock, S. & Sears, W., 2004. Horseshoe fixation versus hoof colour, a comparative study. Biosystems Eng. 89, 377-382.

Toussaint-Raven, E., 1989. Cattle foot care and claw trimming. 1st ed. Ipswich, UK farming press books. 127pp.

Wang, L., Miller, S.P., Retallick, K.J. & Moser, D.W.,2017. Genetic parameter estimation for foot structure in American Angus cattle. Journal for Animal Science, vol. 95, Suppl. 4, 100.


Inleiding

Boere moet gedurig innoverend dink, want wat vir vandag goed is, gaan nie noodwendig goed genoeg wees vir more nie. Sonder innovasie sal ons verseker stagneer. Een van die hoekstene van innovasie is egter tegnologie wat daagliks aangewend word om ou probleme of uitdagings aan te spreek. DNS tegnologie het ‘n noodsaaklikheid geword as dit kom by ons pogings om diereproduksie vorentoe te vat. Toe die skaap Dolly in 1996 gekloon is, is daar nuwe lig gewerp op die impak en rol wat dit kan en gaan speel. Drie-en-twintig jaar later word dit beklemtoon toe DNS tegnologie ingespan word om mense se DNS sodanig te verander dat hul bestand is teen HIV. As dit by landbou kom, word dit al hoe belangriker om kritieke vraagstukke aan te spreek, veral wat voedselsekerheid betref. Suid-Afrika se bevolking sal op nagenoeg 70 miljoen staan teen 2050, en dit te midde van die kommerwekkende feit dat steeds meer as een uit elke vyf mense in ons land, onvoldoende toegang het tot voedsel. Die toenemende aantal mense in ons land gaan uit die aard van die saak geweldig druk

Introduction

Farmers must constantly think innovatively, because what is good for today is not necessarily going to be good enough for tomorrow. Without innovation we will surely stagnate. However, one of the cornerstones of innovation is technology which is used daily to address old problems or challenges. DNA technology has become a necessity when it comes to our efforts to take animal production forward. When the sheep Dolly was cloned in 1996, new emphasis was given to the impact and role it can and will play. Twenty-three years later, it is even more strongly emphasized when DNA technology is used to change a human’s DNA to render their offspring resistant to HIV. Animal production is a key component of agriculture and it is becoming increasingly important to address its most critical issues, especially those relating to food security. To put things into perspective, South Africa’s population will be close to 70 million by 2050, amid the worrying fact that more than one in five people in our country still have insufficient access to food. The growing number of people in our country will

FOR ANIMAL GENETICS?

VIR DIEREGENETIKA?

What does the future hold

Wat hou die toekoms in

FROM DATA TO TECHNOLOGY

VAN DATA TOT TEGNOLOGIE

> > > D R . B E N G R E Y L I N G & F R A N S J O R D A A NARC-Animal Production, Irene


plaas op die vraag na proteïne, en daar word voorspel dat die vraag na spesifiek beesvleis met meer as 20% sal toeneem binne die volgende 9 jaar.

Ons lewendehawe sektor, wat reeds amper 49% tot ons landbou se bruto binnelandse produk bydra, gaan ‘n al hoe belangriker rol speel as dit kom by voedselsekerheid. Tans ondersteun die sektor bykans 13 miljoen mense in ons land te midde van uitdagings soos onvolhoubare en nie- of swak winsgewende produksievlakke in groot dele van die produksie-ketting. Dit sal ook beteken dat ons al hoe sterker sal moet fokus op die oordrag van vaardighede, kennis en tegnologie om te verseker ons boer nie agteruit nie. Die groter prentjie is dat boere al hoe meer van al hoe minder sal moet produseer, en dis ook hier waar tegnologie reeds onmisbaar geword het en nog meer gaan word in die afsienbare toekoms.

DNS gebaseerde tegnologie tot die redding?

Van die vele toepassings van DNS tegnologie sluit in ouerskapbepalings wat niks nuut is vir ons boere nie. Dit is noodsaaklik vir die instandhouding en verifikasie van stamboom-inligting wat die basis vorm van teling en seleksie en die daaropvolgende akkurate voorspelling van die genetiese meriete van ‘n dier, soos tipies uitgedruk as ‘n teelwaarde. Forensiese toepassings (bv. vee- en wild-diefstalsake), populasie-genetika (insluitend die bepaling van vlakke van inteling) en natuurlik individuele identifikasie wat noodsaaklik is vir naspeurbaarheidsdoeleindes is nog van die toepassings waarmee boere elke dag te doen kry. Lg. is sentraal tot ons vermoë om ons produkte uit te voer. Veeboere span ook reeds vir jare die tegnologie in om diere te identifiseer wat DNS mutasies dra wat mag lei tot genetiese siektes en afwykings. Genetiese informasie, spesifiek DNS inligting van ‘n dier kan so vroeg as direk na kalwing bekom word, wat beteken dat seleksie reeds op ‘n baie jong ouderdom toegepas kan word tot voordeel van die teelprogram.

Genomika

Genomika stel ons reeds in staat om beide goeie en slegte DNS in ons diere te identifiseer en in seleksie programme te gebruik ten einde genetiese vordering te versnel. Daar is ook reeds heelwat gene en gene-merkers (DNS volgordes, waaronder SNP’s) geïdentifiseer in diè verband in ‘n verskeidenheid van spesies soos beeste, varke, skape, bokke en selfs wilde diere. In wese kom dit neer op die feit dat die volgorde waarin die DNS-boustene van ‘n dier gerangskik is, sal dikteer hoe die dier in ‘n spesifieke omgewing sal presteer. Van die gene-merkers is reeds bewys om geassosiëer te wees met eienskappe soos voerinname, groeitempo, voerdoetreffendheid en melkproduksie, om maar ‘n paar te noem. Genomika in ‘n neutedop is bloot die toevoeging van ‘n dier se DNS inligting tot die resep wat teelwaardes van ‘n dier bereken. Uiteindelik sal ‘n genomiese verbeterde teelwaarde ‘n boer in staat stel om meer intensief, akkuraat en selfs op ‘n vroeër ouderdom seleksie toe te pas ten einde meer winsgewend te boer.

naturally put a huge strain on the demand for protein, and it is predicted that the demand, specifically for beef, will increase by more than 20% within the next 9 years.

Our livestock sector, which already contributes almost 49% to our agriculture’s gross domestic product, will play an increasingly important role when it comes to food security. Currently, the sector supports nearly 13 million people in our country, amid challenges such as unsustainable and non- or poorly profitable production levels in large parts of the production chain. It will also mean that we will have to focus stronger on the transfer of skills, knowledge and technology to ensure we take our farmers forward. The bigger picture is that farmers will increasingly have to produce “more from less” and this is also where technology has already become indispensable and will become even more so in the foreseeable future.

DNA based technology to the rescue?

Some of the many applications of DNA technology include parentage verification of our animal’s offspring, which is nothing new to our farmers. This is essential for the maintenance and verification of pedigree information that forms the basis of breeding and selection and the subsequent accurate prediction of the genetic merit of an animal, typically expressed as a breeding value. Forensic applications (e.g. involving stock theft cases), population genetic studies (including determination of levels of inbreeding) and of course individual identification that are essential for traceability purposes, are also some of the applications that farmers are acquainted with. Individual identification and traceability is central to our ability to export our products. Livestock farmers have also been using the technology for years to identify animals that carry DNA mutations that may lead to genetic diseases and disorders. Of importance is the fact that DNA information of an animal can be obtained as early as directly after calving, which means that selection can be applied at a very young age to the benefit of the breeding program.

Genomics

Genomics already allows us to identify both good and bad DNA in our animals and use it in selection programs to accelerate genetic progression. Many genes and gene markers (DNA sequences, including SNPs) have also been identified in this regard in a variety of species such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and even wild animals. In essence, it comes down to the fact that the order in which the DNA building blocks of an animal are arranged, will dictate how the animal will perform in a specific environment. Some of the gene markers have already been shown to be associated with traits such as feed intake, growth rate, feed efficiency and milk production, to name but a few. Genomics in a nutshell is simply the addition of an animal’s DNA information to the recipe that calculates an animal’s breeding values. Ultimately, a genomically enhanced breeding value (GEBV) will enable a farmer to apply selection more


intensively, accurately and even at an earlier age and ultimately contribute to enhance profitability.

Genetic manipulation: From wishful thinking to reality

Newer and even more revolutionary applications of DNA technology include genetic manipulation/editing which means we change the DNA of an animal, human or plant to produce a desired effect, for instance, an animal that is resistant to a disease or one that grows faster. From a gene-manipulation point of view, traditional breeding is time-consuming, expensive and there must be sufficient genetic variation to choose from. Genetic manipulation on the other hand offers the possibility that variation, and even new traits, can be created. Scientists are already able to manipulate genes very accurately in order to either eliminate certain traits (adverse traits) or to create beneficial traits, and a large variety of animals have already been genetically engineered under research conditions. Examples include double-muscled calves, pigs that are resistant to viral diseases, dairy cows producing anti-allergic components in their milk and pigs that are more environmentally friendly by being able to process phosphate better, excreting up to 70% less phosphate depending on their diet. Angus cattle have also recently been genetically modified to make them more heat resistant and to regulate their body temperature more effectively. These cattle would for instance be able to better adapt and perform under hot tropical climatic conditions where they would otherwise struggle.

Conventional performance testing and record keeping - still king?

In the midst of all the new technologies at our disposal, we should never underestimate the value and impact of conventional (and often very basic!) performance recording and testing. Without performance data of our animals we are basically stranded. We must also always remember that the genetic abilities or merit of an animal cannot be seen with the naked eye for most traits. Furthermore, the environment complicates things, because it affects how most of the genes are expressed and what the animal’s phenotype looks like. In short, performance testing involves keeping records, collecting data from your animals, even for the most basic characteristics such as birth and weaning weight, inter-calving-period, age of cows at first calving, post-weaning growth and feed efficiency, to name but a few of the most important traits.

Data collected, recorded and processed into information over many decades has largely contributed to helping farmers make informed decisions when it comes to profitable and efficient beef production. Subsequent studies have also clearly verified that the returns from investing in performance testing were significant. Data collected over many years for the Afrikaner breed for instance, highlighted the progress they made when it came to cow efficiency and methane production which relates to environmentally friendly beef production.

Genetiese manipulasie/verandering

Nuwer en selfs meer revolusionêre toepassings van DNS tegnologie sluit in genetiese manipulasie wat beteken ons verander die DNS van ‘n dier (of mens of plant) ten einde ‘n bepaalde effek te bewerkstellig, soos bv. ‘n dier wat weerstandig is teen ‘n siekte of een wat vinniger groei. Vanuit ‘n geen-manipuleringsoogpunt is tradisionele teling tydrowend, duur en daar moet genoegsame genetiese variasie wees om van te kies. Genetiese manipulasie aan die ander kant bied die moontlikheid dat variasie en selfs nuwe eienskappe geskep kan word. Wetenskaplikes is reeds in staat om gene baie akkuraat te manipuleer ten einde bepaalde eienskappe òf uit te skakel (nadelige eienskappe) òf om voordelige eienskappe te skep en ‘n groot verskeidenheid van diere is ook reeds onder navorsingsomstandighede sodanig verander. Voorbeelde sluit in kalwers met dubbel-bespiering, varkte wat teen virale siektes bestand is, melkkoeie wat anti-allergiese middels in hul melk produseer en varke wat meer omgewingsvriendelik is deur fosfaat beter te verwerk (skei tot 70% minder fosfaat uit), afhangend van hul dieet. Angus beeste is weer geneties verander om hul meer hittebestand te maak en om hul liggaamstemperatuur beter te reguleer. Hierdie beeste sou bv. beter kan aanpas en presteer in warm tropiese klimaatsomstandighede waar hulle andersins sou sukkel.

Konvensionele prestasietoetsing en rekordhouding - steeds koning?

Te midde van al die nuwe tegnologie tot ons beskikking moet ons nie die waarde en impak van konvensionele (en dikwels baie basiese!) prestasietoetsing ooit onderskat nie. Sonder prestasie data is ons basies gestrand. Ons moet ook altyd onthou dat die genetiese vermoëns van ‘n dier vir meeste eienskappe nie met die oog gesien kan word nie en verder kompliseer die omgewing dinge, want dit affekteer hoe meeste van die gene uitgedruk word en hoe die dier se fenotipe daar uitsien. In kort behels prestasietoetsing dat rekords bygehou word, data versamel word van jou diere, selfs vir die mees basiese eienskappe soos geboorte- en speengewig, inter-kalf-periode, ouderdom-eerste-kalf van jou koeie, na-speense groei en voerdoeltreffendheid, om maar van die belangrikstes te noem.

Data wat oor baie dekades versamel, aangeteken en verwerk is tot informasie, het grotendeels bygedra om boere te help om ingeligte besluite te neem as dit kom by winsgewende en doeltreffende teelprogramme. Om die waarheid te sê studies het duidelik aangetoon dat die opbrengste verkry deur in prestasietoetsing te belê noemenswaardig was. So is data wat oor jare versamel is vir die Afrikaner ras bv. gebruik om aan te dui hoe hul vordering gemaak het as dit kom by koeidoeltreffendheid en metaanproduksie. Lg. hou direk verband met omgewingsvriendelike produksie wat wêreldwyd ‘n prioriteit geword het. Koei-kalf-doeltreffendheid is sentraal tot ons vermoë om ons koolstof voetspoor te verminder, en navorsing het


aangetoon, deur van prestasie data gebruik te maak, dat die Afrikaner se metaan vrystelling (gemeet as “enteric methane emissions factor” of MEFenteric), met 12% verlaag is tussen 1980 tot 2013. Verder is koeidoeltreffendheid, wat ‘n funksie is van inter-kalf-periode, voerinname (gemeet in terme van ‘n grootvee-eenheid) en die kilogram kalf gespeen, ook noemenswaardig verbeter. Sonder prestasiedata sou hierdie bevindings nie nagevors en bewys kon word nie.

Die mikrobioom en epigenetika

Meer onlangse en interessante ontwikkelinge wat gebruik maak van DNS tegnologie sluit in die karakterisering van die mikrobe-populasie (sg. mikrobioom) in die herkouer se rumen. Ons weet dat die rumen se mikrobioom grotendeels verantwoordelik is vir die vertering van die kos wat ‘n bees vreet asook die dier se vermoë om metaangas, een van ons kweekhuisgasse, te metaboliseer. Die hoeveelheid metaangas word dus grotendeels bepaal deur die samestelling van die dier se mikrobioom (wat soos genoem ook ‘n funksie is van wat die dier vreet). Dit maak dit moontlik om in die toekoms diere te selekteer wat meer omgewingsvriendelik is, deur na hul mikrobioom te kyk en ook wat die mees geskikte rantsoen sou wees.

‘n Nuwe veld van molekulêre genetika, genaamd epigenetika, is ook vinnig aan die ontwikkel. Dit behels die studie van hoe ‘n dier (of mens) se DNS volgorde gemodifiseer word (nie verander word nie!) in reaksie op o.a. die omgewing, wat dieet insluit. Hierdie modifikasies stel diere in staat om aan te pas by omgewingsfaktore of om te reageer op ‘n omgewingsfaktor, dikwels binne korttermyn. Hierdie veranderinge kan ook oorgedra word na hul nageslag en ook die nageslag se fenotipes dikteer of beïnvloed.

Samevatting

Gemeet aan al die hulpmiddels wat boere reeds het en toepas, hul verfynde bestuur en boerdery-tegnieke en die toepassing van tegnologie, is ons verseker reeds in die era van presisie-boerdery. Gegewe die druk om winsgewend en volhoubaar te boer en ook om uitdagings wat verband hou met voedselsekerheid die hoof te bied, kan mens amper sê ‘n boer sal sukkel om hond haar af te maak as hy nie van al hierdie hulpmiddels en bestuurstegnieke gebruik maak nie. Wat egter baie belangrik is, is dat prestasie data die basis vorm hiervan, en daarsonder sal ons nie weet of ons vooruit of agteruit boer nie.

Cow-calf efficiency is central to our ability to reduce our carbon footprint, and research has shown, using performance data, that the Afrikaner’s amount of methane released (measured as “enteric methane emission factor” or MEFenteric) was reduced by 12% between 1980 and 2013. Furthermore, cow efficiency, which is a function of inter-calving-period, feed intake (measured in terms of a large stock unit) and the kilogram of calf weaned, was also significantly improved. Without performance data, it would have been impossible to conduct the necessary research and demonstrate this positive result.

The microbiome and epigenetics

More recent and interesting developments using DNA technology include the characterization of the microbe population (so-called microbiome) in the rumen of cattle, sheep and other species. We know that the rumen’s microbiome is largely responsible for the digestion of the food that ruminants consume as well as the animal’s ability to metabolize methane gas, one of our greenhouse gases. The amount of methane produced is therefore largely determined by the composition of the animal’s microbiome which makes it possible in the near future to select animals that are more environmentally friendly, by looking at their microbiome and also what would be a suitable ration for optimal production.

A new field of molecular genetics, called epigenetics, is also rapidly developing. This involves studying how an animal’s (or human) DNA sequence is modified (not changed!) in response to the environment, which includes the diet. These modifications on the DNA level allow animals to adapt and respond to environmental factors, often in the short term. These DNA changes can also be transmitted to the offspring and may dictate or influence the offspring’s phenotype.

Summary

Considering all the available tools and technologies that farmers already apply, combined with refined management strategies and farming techniques, we can certainly say that we are already in the an era of precision farming. Also, given the pressure to farm profitably and sustainably and also to address food security challenges, one can almost say a farmer will struggle to make ends meet if he or she does not make use of all the means at their disposal. What is very important, however, is that performance data forms the basis of a sound and tested approach, and without it we will not know whether we are farming forwards or backwards.


Climate and economic conditions require our farmers to adjust our thinking and farming methods to farm more profitably. Profitability requires high fertility and heavier calves in balance with nature. To achieve this, we need functional female animals and must direct our selection goals accordingly.

Klimaat en ekonomiese omstandighede vereis dat ons boere ons denkrigting en boerderymetodes moet aanpas om meer winsgewend te boer. Winsgewendheid vereis hoë vrugbaarheid en swaarder kalwers in ewewig met die natuur. Om dit te bereik het ons funksionele vroulike diere nodig en moet ons, ons seleksie doelwitte daarvolgens rig.

IN A BEEF CATTLE

‘N VLEISBEESKUDDE

Selection for milk

Seleksie vir melk in> > > J A C Q U I E S S T E E N K A M P


SELECTION OBJECTIVES FOR FEMALE ANIMALS

1. Fertility remains the greatest indicator of profitability and our goal should be to produce a live calf every year. We want female animals that grow quickly and become pregnant at an early age and become pregnant again, each year in a short breeding season.

2. Heavy weaning mass. The cows must produce enough milk for the calves to grow well and develop until weaning age.

3. Good mother traits. Mothers must guard and protect their calves.

4. Ease of calving. Calving problems should be limited to less than 3%.

5. Low mortality. Female animals must resist disease and external parasites.

6. Female animals must be functionally effective with visual features such as well-formed udder and teats, walking comfortably, strong legs and claws, smooth hair, strong jaws and good depth, length and width. (D.J. Bosman)

In this article I want to focus on milk production to wean heavier calves. Until weaning time, a weaner calf is the result of his mother’s milk as well as his own genetic growth ability. According to literature, weaning weight from grazing is a function of 1/3 growth capacity (Weaning direct BLUP breeding value) and 2/3 milk production (Weaning maternal BLUP breeding value).

In the selection program for heavier weaners, milk is an important characteristic. Milk is the main and most effective source of nutrition for a calf. There is a low negative direct correlation between milk and weaning mass, but there are still animals that have good breeding values for both traits. Milk measurements can only be taken when the bull’s daughters are weaning calves and breeding values are estimated at that point based on information from his relatives. The milk breeding values of a bull can therefore change as more information becomes available.

TOOLS IN THE SELECTION PROGRAM TO INCREASE MILK PRODUCTION:

• Calf weaning index• Cow Efficiency• Maternal BLUP breeding value• Pedigree information• Fertility• Condition scoring• Genome Information

Calf weaning index: As seen above, the weaning weight is a ratio of the calf’s genetic growth ability and its mother’s milk. High weaning indices above 100 indicate higher milk. High weaning indices should only be used as a guide. Shortcomings are that it is only related within herds. Age and size of animals were not taken into account. Larger frame cattle should wean heavier

SELEKSIEDOELWITTE VIR VROULIKE DIERE

1. Vrugbaarheid bly die grootste aanduiding van winsgewendheid en ons doel moet wees om elke jaar ‘n lewendige kalf te produseer. Ons soek vroulike diere wat vinnig groei en op ‘n vroeë ouderdom dragtig raak en weer dragtig, elke jaar in ‘n kort teelseisoen.

2. Swaar speenmassa. Die koeie moet genoeg melk produseer sodat die kalwers goed kan groei en ontwikkel tot en met speenouderdom.

3. Goeie moeder-eienskappe. Moeders moet kalwers oppas en beskerm.

4. Gemak van kalwing. Kalfprobleme moet beperk word tot onder 3%.

5. Lae mortaliteit. Vroulike diere moet weerstand teen siektes en uitwendige parasiete bied.

6. Vroulike diere moet funksioneel effektief wees met visuele kenmerke soos goed gevormde uier en spene, gemaklik loop, sterk bene en kloue, gladde haar, sterk bekke en goeie diepte, lengte en breedte. (D.J. Bosman)

In hierdie artikel wil ek fokus op melkproduksie om swaarder kalwers te speen. Tot op speentyd is ‘n speenkalf die gevolg van sy moer se melk asook sy eie genetiese groeivermoë. Speengewig vanaf weiding is volgens literatuur ‘n funksie van 1/3 groeivermoë (Speendirek BLUP Teelwaarde) en 2/3 melkproduksie (Speenmaternale BLUP Teelwaarde).

In die seleksieprogram vir swaarder speenkalwers is melk ‘n belangrike eienskap. Melk is die vernaamste en mees doeltreffendste bron van voeding vir ‘n kalf. Daar is ‘n lae negatiewe direkte korrelasie tussen melk en speenmassa, maar daar is steeds diere wat goeie teelwaardes vir beide eienskappe het. Melkmetings kan eers geneem word wanneer die bul se dogters kalwers speen en teelwaardes word op daardie punt beraam op grond van inligting van sy verwante. Die melkteelwaardes van ‘n bul kan dus verander soos meer inligting beskikbaar word.

HULPMIDDELS IN DIE SELEKSIEPROGRAM OM MELKPRODUKSIE TE VERMEERDER:

• Kalf speenindeks• Koeidoeltreffendheid• Maternale BLUP teelwaarde• Stamboom inligting• Vrugbaarheid• Kondisietelling• Genoom-inligting

Kalf speenindeks: Soos bo gesien is die speengewig ‘n verhouding van die kalf se genetiese groeivermoë en sy moeder se melk. Hoë speenindekse bo 100 wys dus op hoër melk. Hoë speenindekse moet net as riglyn gebruik word. Tekortkominge is dat dit net binne kudde verband geneem is. Ouderdom en grootte van diere


calves and old cows and heifers usually wean lighter calves.

Cow Efficiency: This is the ratio of calf weight at weaning versus maternal weight. A ratio of 50% and above usually indicates more milk. The size of adult animals should be taken into account because smaller frame animals are sometimes favoured. Strive for optimal size within your environment.

Maternal BLUP breeding values: This indicates milk production from the mother. It must be higher than breed average if you want to increase milk. Genetics plays the biggest role here. It is the most accurate guideline to breed for more milk. Correct information, reliability and accuracy (number of animals tested) is important.

Pedigree information: When selecting for milk, pedigree information is essential. Look at ancestors’ milk breeding values. Corrective mating for milk carries a risk that breeding values of a bull may change. Genes for milk production of daughters are carried by the bulls, but their milk genes only come into their own when their daughters wean calves. Thus, if a bull receives poor complement genes from its daughters, it will only be seen when his daughters are weaning calves and this will in turn have an effect on the bull’s milk breeding values.

The mid-parental milk breeding value (average of parents) declines and this can be attributed to the practice of corrective mating. The practice of corrective mating is by no means shot down, but to increase milk breeding values, rather use bulls with a high reliability percentage and whose ancestors also test high for the trait.

Fertility: Look at the fertility of a female animal. A female animal who skipped a year, tends to raise the next calf well, because of the reserves she stored. The reverse is also true, female animals which produce too much milk use too many reserves and lose condition and do not become pregnant again. To improve milk, select females in the ancestry with low inter-calving-period (ICP) and a long productive life.

Condition count: Latest research says: “Cows with a higher milk-yield also tend to have increased visceral and organ mass, thus increasing energy requirements even when the cow is not lactating” (Solis et al. 1988) As previously mentioned under fertility, female animals which have too much milk for their environment, use more reserves and reproduction suffers. So look for cows that keep their condition when lactating and still wean a heavy calf.

Genome information: Genome information can be used in the future to increase the accuracy of milk breeding values.

is nie in ag geneem nie. Groter raam beeste behoort swaarder kalwers te speen en ou slyt koeie en verse speen gewoonlik weer ligter kalwers.

Koeidoeltreffendheid: Dit is die verhouding van kalfgewig op speen teenoor moeder gewig. ‘n Verhouding van 50% en hoër wys gewoonlik op meer melk. Grootte van volwasse diere moet in ag geneem word omdat kleiner raam diere soms bevoordeel word. Streef na optimale grootte binne jou omgewing.

Maternale BLUP teelwaardes: Dit dui op melkproduksie van die moeder. Dit moet hoër as rasgemiddeld wees as jy melk wil verhoog. Hier speel genetika die grootste rol. Dit is die mees akkurate riglyn om vir meer melk te teel. Korrektheid van inligting, betroubaarheid en akkuraatheid (hoeveelheid diere getoets), is belangrik.

Stamboom inligting: As vir melk geselekteer word is stamboom inligting noodsaaklik. Kyk na voorgeslagte se melkteelwaardes. Korrektiewe paring vir melk dra ‘n risiko dat teelwaardes van ‘n bul kan verander. Gene vir melkproduksie van dogters word wel deur bulle gedra, maar hul melkgene kom eers tot hul reg wanneer hul dogters kalwers speen. Indien ‘n bul dus swak komplement gene van sy dogters ontvang, sal dit eers gesien word as sy dogters kalwers speen en dit sal weer ‘n invloed op die bul se melkteelwaardes hê.

Die mid-ouer-melkteelwaarde (gemiddeld van ouers) daal en dit kan toegeskryf word aan die praktyk van korrektiewe paring. Die praktyk van korrektiewe paring word geensins hiermee afgeskiet nie, maar om melk teelwaardes te vermeerder gebruik eerder bulle met ‘n hoë betroubaarheid-persentasie en waarvan voorgeslagte ook hoog vir die eienskap toets.

Vrugbaarheid: Kyk na die vrugbaarheid van ‘n vroulike dier. ‘n Vroulike dier wat oorslaan is geneig om die volgende kalf goed groot te maak a.g.v. reserwes wat sy geberg het. Die omgekeerde is ook waar, dat vroulike diere wat te veel melk produseer te veel reserwes gebruik en kondisie verloor en nie herbeset raak nie. Om melk te verbeter selekteer vroulike diere in die voorgeslag met lae tussen kalf periode (TKP) en ‘n lang produktiewe leeftyd.

Kondisietelling: Nuutste navorsing sê: “Cows with a higher milk-yield also tend to have increased visceral and organ mass, thus increasing energy requirements even when the cow is not lactating” (Solis et al. 1988) Soos reeds bespreek by vrugbaarheid sien ons koeie wat te veel melk vir hulle omgewing het, meer reserwes gebruik en reproduksie ly daaronder. Kyk dus na koeie wat hul kondisie hou wanneer hulle lakteer en nog steeds ‘n swaar kalf speen.

Genoominligting: Genoom-inligting kan in die toekoms gebruik word om die akkuraatheid van teelwaardes van melk te verhoog.


If a farmer uses the above aids in his breeding program, he must realize that his decisions must take into account his environment. There must be a balance between production and environment. If you pass the optimum point of your area’s limitations, the disadvantages are as follows:

a) Increases maintenance costs and cow size, as well as birth weight associated with calving problems.

b) Herd fertility and effectiveness decreases, followed by the most important - profitability.

So consider your environment to breed the size and type of cattle that is optimal for your environment. It determines optimum levels for birth weight, growth and milk production.

As a damline breed, the Afrikaner female animal meets the selection criteria we dealt with at the beginning of the article, by strictly pursuing our goals, we can further improve Africa’s cattle to become a world-class player.

Sources:

Breeding objectives: Danie Bosman, Pri.Sci.Nat., (Animal Science), Kwazulu-Natal.

Corrective pairing: HE Theron, J van der Westhuizen, RR van der Westhuizen

The Curios Case of the Missing Milk - Y Steyn, P Visagie and HE Theron

As ‘n boer bogenoemde hulpmiddels in sy teelprogram gebruik moet hy besef sy besluite moet sy omgewing in ag neem. Daar moet ‘n balans wees tussen produksie en omgewing. As jy by die optimum punt van jou omgewing se beperkinge verby gaan, is die nadeel die volgende:

a) Onderhoudskoste en koeigrootte verhoog, so ook geboortegewig gepaardgaande met kalfprobleme.

b) Kuddevrugbaarheid en effektiwiteit neem af, gevolg deur die belangrikste – winsgewendheid.

Neem dus jou omgewing in ag om die grootte en tipe bees wat optimaal vir jou omgewing is, te teel. Dit bepaal optimum vlakke vir geboortegewig, groei en melkproduksie.

As moederlyn-ras voldoen die Afrikaner vroulike dier aan die seleksie kriteria wat ons in die begin van die artikel behandel het, deur ons doelwitte streng na te volg kan ons die bees van Afrika nog verder verbeter sodat hy ‘n wêreldgehalte speler word.

Bronne:

Teeldoelwitte: Danie Bosman, Pri.Sci.Nat.,(Animal Science), Kwazulu-Natal.

Korrektiewe paring: HE Theron, J van der Westhuizen, RR van der Westhuizen

The Curios Case of the Missing Milk – Y Steyn, P Visagie en HE Theron


Inleiding

Voorspelde formule wat deur die NRC (1984) saamgestel is, bevestig met intuïsie dat die prestasie verbeter en die voer benodig vir onderhoud word verwater. Na ‘n kritiese evaluering word dit egter erken dat die impak van inname en voedingspatrone op voerkraalbestuur nie so duidelik is as wat gereeld aanvaar word nie.

Die impak van voerinname as persentasie lewendige gewig op GDT (gemiddelde daaglikse toename) van 299 Fase C bulle van n sekere ras is in die Wes-Kaapse Bultoetssentrum Elsenburg bestudeer. Die bulle is oor dertien jaar op ‘n gestandaardiseerde Fase C-rantsoen getoets. (2004-2017)

Meting van voerinname

Indien voerinname deur vleisbeeste bespreek word, is dit belangrik om die verskillende soorte inname te verstaan en te onderskei. Dit is nie altyd ‘n veilige aanname dat die gemiddelde inname van ‘n kraal ‘n aanduiding is van die inname deur individuele diere in die kraal nie. In bogenoemde studie op Elsenburg word individuele inname daagliks deur ‘n outomatiese voerstasie gemeet. Hierdie bulle word gevoer deur ‘n transpondersleutel om die dier se nek wat dan die verspreiding van voerkorrels aktiveer. Die inname van die groeitoets van jong bulle van speenouderdom tot ongeveer jaaroud word daagliks aangeteken oor 12 weke periode, met ‘n aanpassingsperiode van 4 weke.

Variasies in GDT en % inname op lewendige gewig

Die rasgegewens wat oor dertien jaar gebruik is, is in vier groepe verdeel. Bulle met ‘n bogemiddelde GDT (gemiddelde daaglikse toename ) prestasie is gegroepeer as Goud (G GDT), indekse van 95 en <100 Silwergroep (S GDT), Bronsgroep met indekse van 90

Introduction

The predicted formula compiled by the NRC (1984) confirms intuition that suggests performance improves at an increasing rate as intake increases and as feed required for maintenance is diluted. After critical evaluation however, it is recognized that the impact of intake and feeding patterns on feedlot and bunk management is not as clear-cut as it frequently assumed.

The impact of feed intake as percentage of live weight on ADG (average daily gain) of 299 Angus bulls were studied at the Western Cape Bull Testing Centre Elsenburg. The bulls were tested over period of thirteen years on a standardised Phase C ration. (2004-2017)

Measuring Intake

When discussing feed intake by beef cattle, it is important to differentiate between the different types of intake. It is not always a safe assumption that average intake for a pen is indicative of intake by individual animals in the pen. In the above mentioned study at Elsenburg, individual intake is measured on a daily basis by automated feeding station. The bulls are fed by using a transponder key that triggers dispensing of feed pellets. The intake of growth test of young Angus bulls from weaning age to yearling age are conducted of 12-week period, with a 4-week adaptation period prior to official testing.

Variations in ADG and % Intake on live weight

The Angus data that was used over period of thirteen years was split in four groups. Bulls with an above average ADG (average daily gain) performance were grouped as Gold (G ADG), indices from 95 and < 100 were grouped as Silver (S ADG), Bronze group had

PHASE C TESTED BULLS

FASE C GETOETSTE BULLE

as Percentage of Live weight on ADG performance of

as persentasie lewendige gewig op GDT prestasie van

THE IMPACT OF FEED INTAKE

DIE IMPAK VAN VOERINNAME

> > > M J V I L J O E NLNR-Diereproduksie, Wes-Kaap Bultoetssentrum


indices of 90 and < 95 (B ADG) and the last group with indices of < 90 were Sub M (SM ADG). Refer to table on ADG below. There is a significant difference between G ADG group and the SM ADG group. Also, refer to the graph trend on these traits.

en <95 (B GDT) en die laaste groep <90 indeks was Sub M (SM GDT). Verwys na die tabel oor ADG hieronder. Beduidende verskil tussen G GDT-groep en die SM GDT groep. Verwys ook na die grafiese tendens op hierdie eienskappe.

Die resultate toon ‘n verskil van 30,7% tussen die lae SM GDT-groep en die hoë en bo-gemiddelde G GDT-groep aan die einde van die toetsperiode van 12 weke. Vir die grootste deel is dit egter belangrik om die verskille tussen individuele inname en gemiddelde inname vir ‘n kraal te beoordeel. In hierdie jongste studie oor die impak van daaglikse inname as % van die lewendige gewig op GDT-prestasie,kan gelet word op die geringe verskil in die persentasie inname van die hoëprestasie Goue groep teenoor die laer presteerders in SM-groep. Verwys na die onderstaande tabel en die grafiek wat aangeheg is.

The results show a 30.7 % difference between the low performers SM ADG group and the high and above average G ADG group.

For the most part, however, when assessing intake information, it is important to recognize the differences between individual intake and average intake for a pen. In this latest study on the impact of daily intake as % of live weight on ADG performance, notice the slight difference in the percentage of intake of the high performance Gold group against the lower performers in SM group. Refer to the table below and the graph inserted.


The positive correlation between intake and performance can be seen in the table layout above and the trends shown. The bulls with the higher ADG at the start of the test have the higher % daily intake of 2.98 % against 2.94 % in the lower performance group. In week five of the test the % intake is similar for both groups and then gradually decreases, until the end of the test where the values are 2.42 % against 2.47 % of the lower performance group.

This scenario of bulls that grow faster with higher ADG and less % feed intake to live weight is possible with selection. Faster gaining cattle will be sold sooner, rather than at a heavier weight.

Many producers also believe that consistency of intake affects performance and has financial implications.

Die positiewe korrelasie tussen inname en prestasie kan gesien word in bogenoemde tabeluitleg en tendense wat getoon word. Die bulle met die hoër GDT aan die begin van die toets het ook die hoër % daaglikse inname van 2,98% teenoor 2,94 in laer prestasiegroep totdat hulle week vyf in die toets bereik het waar die % -inname dieselfde is en dan geleidelik minder word na die einde van toets van 2,42 % teenoor 2,47 % van die groep met laer prestasies.

Hierdie scenario van bulle wat vinniger groei met ‘n hoër GDT en minder % voerinname tot lewende gewig, is moontlik met seleksie. Vinnig groeiende beeste word vinniger verkoop, eerder as beeste met ‘n swaarder gewig.

Baie produsente glo ook dat konsekwente voerinname die prestasie beïnvloed en finansiële implikasies het vir die produsent.


REAL TIME ULTRASOUND SCANNING

ULTRASONIESE SKANDERING

The value of

Die Waarde van

> > > F R E E K B O T E SLandbou Navorsings Raad, Bultoetssentrum Cedara

Ultrasound scanning for carcass traits is a useful tool to obtain fast and objective predictions of the carcass composition of your beef cattle which could assist you in the genetic selection and breeding of your herd. This tool can also help you to meet specific market demands. Real-time ultrasound uses high frequency soundwaves to “see inside” whilst the animal is still alive. A sound-emitting probe held on the animal’s body bounces sound waves off the boundaries between fat and muscle layers to develop cross-sectional images of body composition on a video monitor. A coupling agent is used to act as a medium for the sound waves emitted from the probe to penetrate the body. All this happens in real time, in other words, every movement of the animal is reflected on the monitor as it happens.

“In the hands of properly trained technicians, ultrasound offers the beef cattle industry with one of the most powerful tools for genetic improvement of carcass merit ever devised. Its time is now, not let’s wait and see,” Dr. Doyle Wilson, Iowa State University.

What is the accuracy of real-time ultrasound and is it really worth it?

There are four composition traits that are measured i.e. rump fat, ribeye fat, eye-muscle area and intra-muscular fat or marbling. Each of these traits are at least moderately heritable and is significant in determining meat quality and meat yield in beef cattle.

Rump fat

The rump fat measurement is the depth of fat at the juncture of the gluteus medius and superficial gluteus medius muscles. The rump fat measurement, together with the rib fat measurement, is used to accurately determine the overall external body fat. Excessive subcutaneous fat results in lower carcass yields and higher costs of daily gain. Using these two measurements together improves the accuracy of predicting percentage yield in the carcass. It is generally accepted that this image is easy to collect and interpret and the heritability is high.

Rib fat

The rib fat measurement taken between the 12th

Ultrasoniese skandering vir karkas-eienskappe is ‘n nuttige hulpmiddel om vinnige en objektiewe voorspellings te maak oor die karkas-samestelling van vleisbeeste. Dit kan ‘n teler help met genetiese seleksie en teling in ‘n kudde. Dit kan ook help om vas te stel of diere aan spesifieke markvereistes voldoen. Ultrasoniese skandering gebruik klankgolwe met ‘n hoë frekwensie wat die operateur in staat stel om ‘te sien’ wat binne in die karkas van ŉ lewendige dier aangaan.’n Metings instrument wat klankgolwe uitstraal word op die dier se liggaam geplaas word, die klankgolwe identifiseer die verskille in digtheid van weefsel tussen spier en vetlae, en stuur die inligting weer terug na die metings instrument om sodoende dwarsdeursnee beelde van vet en vleis op ‘n video-monitor te ontwikkel. Dit alles gebeur in reële tyd, met ander woorde, elke beweging van die dier word op die monitor weerspieël terwyl dit gebeur.

“In die hande van behoorlik opgeleide tegnikus bied ultrasoniese skandering die vleisbeesbedryf ‘n baie akkurate metode vir genetiese verbetering van karkas kwaliteit. Dit is nou die tyd, laat ons nie eers wag en dan sien nie, ” Dr. Doyle Wilson, Iowa State University.

Wat is die akkuraatheid van Ultrasonies Skandering en is dit die moeite werd?

Daar is vier karkas-eienskappe wat gemeet word naamlik, kruis vet, riboogvet, oogspier-area en binnespiervet of marmering. Elkeen van hierdie eienskappe is ten minste matig erflik en is van belang in die bepaling van vleiskwaliteit en vleis opbrengs by vleisbeeste.

Kruisvet

Die kruisvet mate bepaal vet dikte op die kruising van die gluteus medius en oppervlakkige gluteus medius spiere. Die kruisvet mate saam met die riboogvet mate word gebruik om die totale eksterne liggaamsvet akkuraat te bepaal. Oormatige onderhuidse vet lei tot laer karkasopbrengs en hoër koste per liggaamstoename. Deur hierdie twee metings saam te gebruik, verbeter dit die akkuraatheid van die voorspelling van persentasie vleis opbrengs in die karkas. Dit word algemeen aanvaar dat hierdie beeld maklik is om te versamel en te interpreteer en dat dit hoog oorerflik is.


Riboog vet

Soos reeds genoem, word die meting van die riboog vet tussen die 12de en 13de rib saam met die kruisvet mate gebruik om die totale eksterne liggaamsvet te bepaal. Hierdie mate is ook maklik om te neem en te interpreteer en is ook hoog oorerflik.

Oogspier Omtrek

Met hierdie mate word ‘n deursnit beeld van die longisimus dorsi (riboog) spier versamel en die oppervlakarea van die riboogspier word bereken. Die mate word tussen die 12de en 13de rib op die voorlyf geneem. Die belangrikheid van hierdie mate is dat die verkoopbare vleisproduk toeneem namate die oogspier area toeneem. Dit word ook gebruik om die uitslag persentasie van die dier te bepaal. Die riboogspier oppervlak is ook die vernaamste bepaler van die totale karkaspier in die karkas. Hierdie beeld is moeiliker om te versamel as die ander twee beelde, en die tegnikus moet vaardig wees in die versameling en interpretasie van die beeld. Oogspier-area is volgens Waldner, 1992, medium tot hoogs gekorreleer met karkasmetings.

Binnespierse vet

Binnespierse vet of marmering is die persentasie vet in die riboogspier. Dit staan algemeen bekend as marmering omdat dit as vetvlekke in die spier waargeneem word. Intramuskulêre spiervet of die mate van marmering hou verband met die binnespierse vetpersentasie en is ‘n primêre faktor wat vleiskwaliteit bepaal. Dit word toenemend belangrik vir verbruikers, aangesien die binnespierse vetinhoud ‘n belangrike rol speel in die eetgehalte van beesvleis. Dit is belangrik dat hierdie meting gedoen word terwyl die dier ‘n hoë voedingspeil handhaaf en dus in ‘n goeie kondisie is. Marmering is die minste akkuraat van die drie metings en om die fout in die voorspelling van binnespierse vet persentasie te verminder, word die gemiddelde van drie metings gebruik. Die genetiese verband tussen marmering en vetdikte is laag (0,35 - 0,87) (Wilson, 1992) (Perkins, 1997), wat daarop dui dat seleksie vir verbeterde marmering gedoen kan word sonder om eksterne vet te verhoog. Die oorerflikheid van marmering is matig. Die seleksie vir hoër marmering sal lei tot ‘n afname in die persentasie vleisopbrengs, tensy daar gelyktydig vir beide eienskappe geselekteer word.

Wat is die voordele van die gebruik van Ultrasonies Skandering?

1. Objektiewe voorspelling van vleis en vetinhoud van beeste.

2. Geraamde teelwaardes vir karkas-eienskappe wat deur middel van skandering verkry is, lei tot akkurate seleksie van karkas-eienskappe by lewende diere.

3. Verder gee skandering aan ons die vermoë om intramuskulêre vet of marmering objektief in die oogspier te meet wat die vleiskwaliteit (marmering) van die lewende dier bepaal.

4. Data oor karkas-samestelling elimineer die onkoste en tyd wat benodig word deur nageslagstoetse vir karkas-meriete.

and 13th rib is used with the rump fat measurement to determine the overall external body fat. This measurement is also easy to take and interpret and is also highly heritable.

Ribeye area

With this measurement, a cross section image of the longisimus dorsi (ribeye) muscle is collected and the surface area of the ribeye muscle calculated. It is also taken between the 12th and 13th rib on the forequarter. The importance of this measurement is that the retail meat product increases as the ribeye area increases. The ribeye area is also the most common estimator of total carcass muscle in the carcass. This image is more difficult to collect than the other two images and the technician needs to be skilled in collecting and interpreting the image. Eye-muscle area is medium to highly correlated with carcass measurements according to Waldner, 1992.

Intramuscular fat

Intramuscular fat or marbling is the percentage of fat in the ribeye muscle. It is generally known as marbling because it is observed as flecks of fat in the muscle. Intra-muscular fat or the degree of marbling is related to intra-muscular fat percentage and is a primary factor determining meat quality. It is becoming increasingly important to consumers since intra-muscular fat content plays a significant role in the eating quality of beef. It is important that this measurement is taken while the animal is maintaining a high level of nutrition and therefore in good body condition. Marbling is the least accurate of the three measurements and to reduce the error in IMF %, prediction the average of three measurements are used. The genetic correlation between marbling and fat thickness is low, (0.35 – 0.87) (Wilson, 1992) (Perkins, 1997), suggesting that selection for improved marbling can be done without increasing external fat. Heritability of marbling is moderate. Selection for higher marbling will result in a decrease of percentage meat yield unless both traits are selected for simultaneously.

What are the benefits of using Real Time Ultrasound?

1. Objective prediction of lean carcass and fat in live beef animals.

2. Estimated Breeding Values for carcass composition traits recorded from RTU scanning ensures accurate selection for carcase traits on live animals.

3. Ultrasound gives us the ability to objectively measure intra-muscular fat or marbling from the ribeye to determine quality grading (marbling) of the live animal.

4. Information on body composition eliminates the expense and time required by progeny testing for carcass merit.


Introduction

The aim of these guidelines is to assist breeders in applying good management and recording practices to optimize their herds’ genetic evaluations, i.e. to optimize the amount, correctness and effectiveness of your herd’s data which is used in a BLUP analysis. The accuracy value, reported with each breeding value, only reflects the amount of data available to predict a specific breeding value. It does not reflect the correctness of the data used for the prediction.

For all types of recordings, there are two basic aspects of importance, namely:

• Correct (and honest) recording; and• Complete recording.

Management practices which can influence the accuracy of breeding values:

• Animal recording;• Parentage recording;• Performance recording;• Contemporary groups; and• Genetic linkages

Animal Recording

Animal details, particularly the correct sex and birth date, are essential for assigning an animal to the correct contemporary group (e.g. sex and birth season) and for applying the correct correction factors (e.g. for age) in the genetic evaluation (BLUP) model.

• Ensure all calves are recorded at birth, also to keep the reproduction records of cows complete.

• Ensure that all animal details (particularly birth date and sex) are recorded correctly.

• Ensure that birth notifications are submitted on time for all calves.

Parentage recording

Assigning the correct parents to a calf is one of the most important factors for genetic evaluations, because this is the basis of all genetic relationships of that particular animal. Incorrect parentage recording not only influences the accuracy of the breeding values of the particular animal, but also all of its relatives. The more

Inleiding

Die doel met hierdie riglyne is om telers te help in die toepassing van goeie bestuur- en rekordhouding ten einde die genetiese evaluasies van hul kuddes te optimaliseer, dit wil sê om die hoeveelheid, korrektheid en die doeltreffendheid van jou kudde se data wat in ‘n BLUP-analise gebruik word, te optimaliseer. Die akkuraatheid waarde wat saam met elke teelwaarde gepubliseer word, slegs ‘n aanduiding is van die hoeveelheid data wat beskikbaar was om ‘n spesifieke teelwaarde te voorspel. Die akkuraatheid syfer weerspieël dus nie die korrektheid van die data wat gebruik word vir die beraming van ‘n teelwaarde nie.

Vir alle tipes aantekening is daar twee basiese aspekte van belang, naamlik:

• Korrekte (en eerlike) aantekening; en• Volledige aantekening.

Spesifieke aspekte waar die teler ‘n direkte invloed het:

• Dier aantekening;• Ouerskap aantekening;• Prestasie aantekening;• Kontemporêre groepe; en• Genetiese koppelings.

Dier rekordhouding

Dier besonderhede, veral die korrekte geslag en geboorte datum, is noodsaaklik vir die koppeling van ‘n dier aan die regte groep (bv. geslag) en vir die toepassing van die korrekte korreksiefaktore (bv. vir ouderdom) in die genetiese evaluasie (BLUP) model.

Die beste bestuurspraktyke vir diere aantekening sluit in:

• Maak seker dat alle kalwers (insluitend kalwers wat dood gebore word – ter wille van die moeder se kalfrekord) by geboorte aangeteken word.

• Maak seker dat alle dierbesonderhede (veral geboortedatum en geslag) korrek aangeteken word.

• Maak seker dat geboortekennisgewings betyds ingedien word vir alle kalwers.

Ouerskappe

Die koppeling van die korrekte ouers aan ‘n kalf is een

& RELIABLE BLUP BREEDING VALUES

AKKURATE BLUP TEELWAARDES

Guidelines for more accurate

Riglyne vir meer

> > > F R A N S J O R D A A N & D R B E N G R E Y L I N G


performance-tested relatives of an animal included in the BLUP analysis, the more accurate the breeding value predictions of that animal will be.

• If possible, make use of single sire matings or, if multiple sires are used, do parentage confirmation by means of DNA analyses.

• Record mating groups correctly and ensure that these records are kept in a safe place.

• Record AI sires correctly from the semen straws.• If AI is followed with mating within 28 days of the

last AI date, parentage confirmation should be done by means of DNA analysis.

• For all calves born from embryo transplants, do parentage confirmation by means of DNA analysis.

• Mark calves and record calves’ particulars, including the dam and sire, as soon as possible after birth.

Performance recording

In general, guidelines on animal performance recording are aimed at identifying – as far as possible – environmental (non-genetic) effects that may have influenced the performance of a specific animal.

• Ensure that all selected traits are recorded for the group, because recording of a specific trait will enhance the accuracy of other correlated traits. (E.g., the recording of yearling weight will increase the accuracy of weaning weight and vice versa).

• Ensure that the weighing/measuring instrument (e.g. your scale) is in good working order and calibrated correctly.

• Weighing procedures:

o Weigh all animals of a contemporary group on the same day or, if not possible, on consecutive days, i.e. avoid weighing animals of a contemporary group on dates that are far apart. This is to eliminate weighing date effects (e.g. quality and/or quantity of pastures which may change from one weighing date to the next, etc.).

o Weigh all animals after being withheld from food and water for 12 hours. This practice will decrease weight variation due to gut fill.

o Ensure that an animal is correctly identified – preferably before the weight is recorded.

o Ensure that the weight is correctly observed and recorded.

o Reset the scale’s zero, if needed, with regular intervals when weighing a group of animals.

• Compare the recorded weight with (recent) previous weights of the animal. If any discrepancy is observed, weigh the animal again to make sure the correct weight is recorded.

• Check for reading/writing errors when recorded data is transferred to your computer or input documents.

Contemporary groups

One of the most important issues in animal recording, for genetic evaluation purposes, is properly defined contemporary groups. Poorly or wrongly defined contemporary groups are probably the most important source of low prediction accuracy in genetic evaluations.

A contemporary group can be defined as a group of animals born in the same year/season (similar age range), at the same location (same herd or farm), of

van die belangrikste faktore vir genetiese evaluasies, want dit is die basis van al die genetiese verwantskappe van daardie spesifieke dier. Verkeerde ouerskap aantekening beïnvloed nie net die akkuraatheid van die teelwaardes van die betrokke dier nie, maar ook van al sy familie. Hoe meer prestasie-getoetste familie van ‘n dier ingesluit word in die BLUP analise, hoe meer akkuraat is die teelwaarde voorspellings van daardie dier.

• Maak sover moontlik gebruik van enkelbul parings.• Indien meerbul parings gedoen word, óf KI binne

28 dae na laaste KI datum deur natuurlike paring opgevolg word, óf vir kalwers gebore uit embrio oorplasings, moet ouerskappe bepaal word deur middel van DNA analises.

• Teken dekgroepe korrek aan en maak seker hierdie inligting word op ‘n veilige plek gestoor vir toekomstige gebruik.

• Tydens KI, maak seker dat die bul nommer korrek aangeteken word vanaf die semen strooitjie.

• Merk kalwers so spoedig moontlik na geboorte en teken onmiddellik die kalwers se data, insluitende die ouers, aan.

Prestasie Toetsing:

Riglyne vir prestasietoetsing is in die algemeen daarop gerig om – sover as moontlik – omgewings (nie-genetiese) effekte wat ’n invloed kan hê op die prestasie van die spesifieke dier te identifiseer.

• Maak seker dat alle geselekteerde eienskappe aangeteken word vir die groep, aangesien die aantekening van ‘n spesifieke eienskap die akkuraatheid van ander gekorreleerde eienskappe sal verbeter. (Byvoorbeeld, die aantekening van jaaroud gewig sal die akkuraatheid van speengewig teelwaardes verhoog en omgekeerd).

• Maak seker dat die weeg- of meetinstrument (bv. die skaal) in ‘n goeie werkende toestand is en korrek gekalibreer is.

• Weeg prosedures:

o Weeg alle diere van ‘n kontemporêre groep op dieselfde dag of, indien dit nie moontlik is nie, op opeenvolgende dae, dit wil sê vermy dit om diere van een kontemporêre groep op datums te weeg wat ver uit mekaar is. Die rede hiervoor is om weegdatum effekte (bv. kwaliteit en / of hoeveelheid van die weiding wat mag verander van die een weegdatum aan die volgende, ens.) uit te skakel.

o Weeg alle diere nadat hulle weerhou van kos en water vir 12 uur. Hierdie praktyk sal gewigsvariasie as gevolg van maagvulling verminder.

o Maak seker dat die dier korrek geïdentifiseer word – verkieslik voor die gewig aangeteken word.

o Maak seker dat die gewig korrek gelees en aangeteken word.

o Stel die skaal se nulwaarde, indien nodig, met gereelde tussenposes wanneer ‘n groep diere geweeg word.

• Vergelyk die aangetekende gewig met (onlangse) vorige gewigte van die dier. Indien ‘n verskil waargeneem word, weeg die dier weer om seker te maak dat die korrekte gewig aangeteken word.


• Kontroleer gewigte vir lees- of skryf foute wanneer aangetekende data oorgedra word na jou rekenaar of amptelike dokumente.

Bestuursgroepe:

Een van die belangrikste aspekte by prestasietoetsing en genetiese evaluasies is behoorlik gedefiniëerde bestuursgroepe. Verkeerde of swak gedefiniëerde bestuursgroepe of kontemporêre groepe is waarskynlik een van die heel belangrikste oorsake van onakkurate teelwaardes.

‘n Kontemporêre groep kan gedefinieer word as ’n groep diere wat in dieselfde jaar en seisoen (soortgelyke ouderdom) gebore is, op dieselfde plek (dieselfde kudde of plaas), van dieselfde geslag en wat dieselfde bestuur is vanaf geboorte tot die tyd van weging of meting (dieselfde voeding regime, datum van meting, ens.). Van hierdie faktore is swak of verkeerd gedefinieerde seisoene, te groot ouderdomsverskille, her-gestruktureerde kontemporêre groepe as gevolg van diere wat van een groep na ‘n ander geskuif is en diere wat aan die verkeerde bestuurgroep toegeken word, die mees algemene bronne van swak of verkeerd gedefinieerde kontemporêre groepe.

In die algemeen is riglyne oor kontemporêre of bestuursgroepe daarop gemik om te verseker dat enige kontemporêre groep op so ‘n manier gedefinieer word dat alle (of ten minste alle belangrike) omgewingseffekte – behalwe daardie effekte waarvoor gekorrigeer word in die evaluering model, bv. moeder ouderdom – dieselfde is vir alle diere binne ‘n bepaalde groep. Dit (gekombineer met ‘n goeie genetiese koppelings tussen groepe) sal verseker dat BLUP die genetiese- en omgewingseffekte effektief kan skei binne ’n bepaalde groep.

Die groepering van diere word basies op twee wyses gedoen, naamlik:

• Outomatiese groepindelings, bv. ras, kudde, geboortejaar en -seisoen, geslag, geboortestatus (enkel / tweeling), ens.;

• Boer-verskafde (of beïnvloede) groepe, bv. weegdatum, kalfouderdom, grootmaakstatus en voedingstatus.

• Kudde:

Slegs kalwers wat in dieselfde kudde of plek geteel en geweeg is, kan vergelyk word. Die plek (plaas of toetssentrum) waar ‘n groep (kudde of toetsgroep) diere gehou word op ‘n spesifieke stadium word die “keeper” genoem. As ‘n boer meer as een plaas het waar die diere (binne ras) as onafhanklike, afsonderlike kuddes bestuur word en/of die klimaat, veldtipe, bestuur of kwantiteit en/of kwaliteit van die voeding wesenlik verskil (bv. een plaas in die hoëveld en ‘n ander ‘n plaas in die laeveld), moet hierdie plase verkieslik hanteer word as twee kuddes of “keepers”. Aan die ander kant kan diere van verskillende eienaars wat saam loop en dieselfde bestuur word, as een kudde of “keeper” hanteer word om die kontemporêre groepe te vergroot.

• Geboortejaar en -seisoen:

Slegs kalwers gebore in dieselfde jaar en seisoen kan vergelyk word. (Die maksimum toelaatbare variasie in geboortedatums in die Nasionale Vleisbeesaantekening

the same sex, and managed alike from birth to the time of measurement (same feeding regime, date of measurement, etc.). Of these factors, poorly or wrongly defined seasons, extended age ranges, restructured contemporary groups, due to animals moving from one group to another and animals assigned to the wrong management groups, are the most common sources of poorly or wrongly defined contemporary groups.

In general, guidelines on contemporary or management groups are aimed at ensuring that any contemporary group is defined in such a way that all (or at least all significant) environmental effects - except for those that are corrected for in the evaluation model, e.g. dam age – are the same for all animals within a particular group. This (combined with good genetic links between groups) will ensure that BLUP can effectively separate genetic and environmental effects within any particular group.

The grouping of animals is done basically in two ways, namely:

• Automatic groupings, e.g. breed, herd, birth year and season, sex, birth status (single/twins), etc.;

• Farmer supplied (or influenced) management groups, e.g. weighing date, calf age, rearing status and feeding status.

A farmer can do little about the automatic grouping aspects and therefore it will be discussed very briefly:

Automatic grouping

• Herd:

Only calves bred and weighed in the same herd or locality can be compared. The locality (farm or test centre) where a group (herd or test group) of animals is kept at a specific point in time is called the “keeper”. If a farmer has more than one farm where the animals (within breed) are managed as independent, separate herds and/or the climate, veld type, management or quantity and/or quality of forage differ substantially (e.g. one farm in the highveld region and another farm in the lowveld), these farms should preferably be handeled as two herds or “keepers”. On the other hand, animals of different owners that are run and managed together can be handled as one herd or “keeper” to enlarge contemporary groups.

• Birth year & season:

Only calves born in the same calving year and season can be compared. (The maximum allowed variation in birth dates in the National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme is 100 days).

• Sex:

Only calves of the same sex can be compared.

• Birth status (single/twin):

Only calves of the same birth status can be compared. Single calves are not compared to twins. While twins can be compared with other twins (that had the same rearing status, etc.), the low occurrence of twins usually does not facilitate this.


• Embryo transfer calves:

Embryo transfer calves are not compared with calves suckling their own dams.

The assigning of animals to management groups is obviously the area where the farmer can play a major role in optimising the genetic evaluations of his herd. All calves assigned to different rearing status and/or feeding status groups within a particular test, will be evaluated separately.

Important:

• Keep groups large, but homogeneous.• Do not mix or split up groups unnecessarily.• The most obvious management practice is to use

one (or two, depending on your circumstances) short breeding season instead of running the bulls with the cows for extended periods or even the entire year. Breeding seasons should be a maximum of 90 days, preferably shorter, e.g. 75 or 63 days. This will ensure large contemporary groups based on the birth dates of calves. In the National Beef Recording and Improvement Scheme, only calves born within a period of maximum 100 days can be evaluated in the same group.

• With regard to birth weights, please remember to complete the Birth Weight Group Code field at the recording of births, to ensure that calves are linked to the correct group in the estimation of birth weight EBVs.

• Ensure that all animals in the particular group fit into the age limits for that particular phase/recording (e.g. 151 to 250 days of age for weaning weight).

• Try to weigh all calves in a particular group on the same day or, if not possible, within the same week.

• Ensure that all animals in a particular group are recorded, i.e. no selective recording should be done. (E.g. do not only record birth weight for big calves or difficult births – such recordings are of no value and may actually be very misleading).

• Ensure that all animals in the group had the same treatment from birth to a particular weighing.

• Animals weighed at 12- and 18 months should be grouped, as far as possible, in the same groups as they were at weaning (except if some animals’ management and/or feeding differed or they were bought in, in which cases those animals should be grouped separately). There are two reasons for this:o Firstly, it accounts for bias due to culling or

selection at weaning; ando Secondly, it accounts for bias due to management

and nutrition at weaning.• All calves that were fed concentrates before weaning

should be assigned to a separate feeding status group, even for post weaning weights.

• Bulls sent to central performance tests (Phase C) should be evaluated with their contemporaries for weaning weight, i.e. do not evaluate such bulls in a separate weaning test.

• Bulls tested post weaning on concentrates (e.g. Phase C – Central Performance Tests) should not be grouped together with pasture raised bulls for 12- and/or 18 months weights.

• Calves from first parity cows should not be evaluated in separate contemporary groups from older cows, unless the first parity cows received preferential

en -Verbeteringskema is 100 dae).

• Geslag:

Slegs kalwers van dieselfde geslag kan vergelyk word.

• Geboorte status (enkel/tweeling):

Slegs kalwers van dieselfde geboortestatus kan vergelyk word. Enkel kalwers word nie vergelyk met tweelinge nie. Alhoewel tweelinge vergelyk kan word met ander tweelinge (wat dieselfde grootmaakstatus, ens. gehad het), is die voorkoms van tweelinge so laag dat dit nie regtig prakties is nie.

• Embrio-oorplasing kalwers:

Embrio-oorplasing kalwers word nie vergelyk met kalwers wat aan hul eie moeders suip nie.

Die twee goue reëls by die groepering van kalwers is:

• Hou die groep groot, maar homogeen of eenvormig; en • Moet nie groepe onnodig meng of verdeel nie.

Bestuurspraktyke:

• Die belangrikste bestuurspraktyk is om gebruik te maak van een (of twee, afhangende van die omstandighede) kort teelseisoen in plaas daarvan om die bulle vir baie lang tye of selfs die hele jaar by die koeie te laat loop. Teelseisoene moet maksimum 90 dae lank wees, maar verkieslik korter, bv. 75 of 63 dae. Dit sal verseker dat die kontemporêre groepe, gebaseer op die geboorte datums van kalwers, groot is. In die Nasionale Vleisbeesaantekening en -Verbeteringskema kan slegs kalwers gebore binne ‘n periode van maksimum 100 dae in dieselfde groep geëvalueer word.

• Wat geboortegewigte betref, voltooi die Geboortegewig Groepkode veld by die aantekening van geboortes, om te verseker dat kalwers aan die korrekte groep gekoppel word by die beraming van geboortegewig teelwaardes.

• Maak seker dat alle diere in ‘n groep inpas in die ouderdomsgrense vir die betrokke fase. (bv. 151 tot 250 dae ouderdom vir speengewig).

• Weeg, sover moontlik, alle kalwers in ‘n groep op dieselfde dag of, indien dit nie moontlik is nie, in dieselfde week.

• Maak seker alle diere in ‘n groep geweeg word, d.w.s. geen selektiewe prestasietoetsing mag gedoen word nie. (Moet byvoorbeeld nie net geboortegewigte aanteken van die groot kalwers of moeilike geboortes nie – sulke gewigte is van geen waarde en kan eintlik baie misleidend wees).

• Maak seker dat alle diere in ‘n groep dieselfde voeding en bestuur gehad het vanaf geboorte.

• Diere wat vir 12- en 18 maande geweeg word moet, sover moontlik, in dieselfde groep gegroepeer word as vir speengewig (behalwe as sommige diere se bestuur en/of voeding verskil of hulle is aangekoop, in welke geval die diere apart gegroepeer moet word). Daar is twee redes hiervoor:o Eerstens neem dit sydigheid as gevolg van uitskot

of seleksie by speen in ag;o In die tweede plek neem dit sydigheid as gevolg

van bestuur en voeding by speen in ag.• Alle kalwers wat konsentraatvoeding ontvang het

voorspeen, moet in ‘n aparte voedingstatus groep ingedeel word, selfs vir naspeense gewigte.


nutrition and/or management, in which case it should be indicated as such.

• Weigh all calves at weaning and, as far as possible, do not mix calves of different weaning groups for any post weaning weights.

• Rotate groups across camps to minimise the camp effect on any particular group. If this is not possible, and the quality and/or quantity of the pastures in different camps differ significantly, assign different feeding status codes to these groups.

• Assign the appropriate rearing status codes to all calves, e.g. calves raised by foster dams, etc.

• Assign the appropriate remark codes to all “abnormal” calves, e.g. sick calves, injured calves, etc.

• Participation in competitive showing of cattle is discouraged, because such cattle get preferential feeding and management and should therefore be evaluated in separate groups. This applies not only to young animals, but also to calves whose dams are showed.

• If castration is done, try to postpone it until weaning weights have been recorded.

Genetic linkages enable BLUP to benchmark the genetic merit of animals from different herds, birth years, seasons and management (rearing and feeding) groups. Sires contribute by far the most to genetic linkages. A link sire can be defined as a sire having performance recorded progeny in other herds, years, seasons and/or management groups. If, for example, all calves in Group 1 are from sire A and all calves in Group 2 are from sire B (and the cows from group A are unrelated from the cows in group B), benchmarking the genetic merit of these two groups will be impossible. Genetic linkages determine the “effective progeny” of a sire in a contemporary group.

How to improve on genetic linkages:

• Make use of widely used AI bulls. This is by far the easiest and most effective way to establish genetic linkages.

• Establish a system of exchanging bulls between herds. This is particularly helpful to establish genetic linkages between herds if AI is not used.

• Use more than one bull per season in your herd, including at least one (preferably two or more) AI bull.

• Have calves from as many sires as possible (at least two) in each management group. Where all calves in a specific contemporary group are the progeny of one sire, these progeny’s information is of no value in calculating this sire’s breeding values. The reason for this is that the number of effective progeny for that particular sire is zero, which implies that the genetic (sire) effect cannot be effectively separated from the environmental (contemporary group) effect. It is a common practise in some herds to mate a specific sire only with heifers. If all calves from such a sire are evaluated in a separate contemporary group, the number of effective progeny from this sire is zero.

• Try to have a mix of AI bulls and own bulls’ calves in each management group.

• Try not to replace all bulls in the same year. If you have to, at least try to use some of the previous year’s AI bulls.

• Bulle wat naspeen getoets is op konsentraat voeding moet nie vir 12- en/of 18 maande gewigte saam met bulle gegroepeer word wat op die veld geloop het nie.

• Kalwers van eerstekalf-koeie moet nie vir evaluasie in aparte bestuursgroepe ingedeel word van ouer koeie nie, tensy hulle voorkeurvoeding of -bestuur ontvang het, in welke geval dit as sodanig aangedui moet word.

• Weeg alle kalwers by speen en moet, sover moontlik, nie kalwers van verskillende speengroepe meng vir naspeense gewigte nie.

• Roteer groepe tussen kampe om die kamp-effek op ‘n spesifieke groep tot die minimum te beperk. Indien dit onmoontlik is en die kwaliteit en/of kwantiteit van die weiding tussen verskillende kampe betekenisvol verskil, ken dan verskillende voedingstatus kodes toe aan daardie groepe.

• Ken die toepaslike grootmaakstatus kodes toe aan alle kalwers, bv. kalwers wat deur ‘n pleegmoeder of hans grootgemaak is.

• Ken die toepaslike opmerkings kodes toe aan alle “abnormale” kalwers, bv. siek of beseerde kalwers.

• Deelname aan kompeterende skou van beeste word ontmoedig, omdat sulke beeste voorkeur voeding en bestuur ontvang en dus in afsonderlike groepe geëvalueer moet word. Dit geld nie net vir jong diere nie, maar ook vir kalwers wie se moeders geskou word.

• As kastrasie gedoen word, probeer om dit uit te stel totdat die speengewigte aangeteken is.

Genetiese skakels maak dit naamlik moontlik om deur middel van BLUP tegnologie die genetiese meriete van diere van verskillende kuddes, jare, seisoene en bestuursgroepe te vas te stel (“benchmark”). Vaders lewer by verre die grootste bydrae om genetiese skakels tussen groepe te bewerkstellig. ‘n Koppelvaar (“link sire”) kan gedefinieer word as ‘n vader wat prestasiegetoetste nageslag het in ander kuddes, jare, seisoene en/of bestuursgroepe. Byvoorbeeld, indien alle kalwers in Groep 1 van Vaar A afkomstig is en alle kalwers in Groep 2 van Vaar B is (en die koeie van Groep A onverwant is aan die koeie in Groep B), is die vasstelling (“benchmarking”) van die genetiese meriete van hierdie twee groepe nie moontlik nie. Genetiese koppelings bepaal die aantal “effektiewe nageslag” van ‘n vader in’ n kontemporêre groep.

Bestuurspraktyke om optimale genetiese skakels te verseker sluit die volgende in:

• Maak gebruik van KI bulle wat wyd gebruik word. Dit is verreweg die maklikste en mees effektiewe wyse om genetiese skakels te bewerkstellig.

• Maak gebruik van ‘n stelsel om bulle uit te ruil tussen verskillende kuddes, veral indien jy nie KI nie.

• Gebruik meer as een bul per seisoen in jou kudde, insluitende ten minste een (verkieslik twee of meer) KI bul.

• Sorg dat daar kalwers van soveel as moontlik (ten minste twee) vaders in elke bestuursgroep is. Waar al die kalwers in ‘n spesifieke kontemporêre groep die nageslag van een vader is, is hierdie nageslag se inligting van geen waarde in die berekening van hierdie vader se teelwaardes nie. Die rede hiervoor is dat die aantal effektiewe nageslag vir daardie


spesifieke vaar nul is, wat impliseer dat die genetiese (vader) effek nie effektief geskei kan word van die omgewings (kontemporêre groep) effek nie. Dit is in sommige kuddes ‘n algemene praktyk om ‘n spesifieke bul net met verse te paar. As alle kalwers van so ‘n vader in ‘n aparte kontemporêre groep geëvalueer is, is die aantal effektiewe nageslag van hierdie vader nul.

• Poog om ‘n mengsel van KI- en eie bulle se kalwers in elke bestuursgroep te hê.

• Moet nie al die teelbulle in dieselfde jaar vervang nie. Indien dit gedoen móét word, probeer dan minstens om van die vorige jaar se KI bulle weer te gebruik.

• Koop bulle (en vroulike diere) van prestasiegetoetste kuddes.

• Voeg na afloop van die teelseisoen alle koeie saam in een groot bestuursgroep. Indien dit nie moontlik is nie, hergroepeer die koeie op so ‘n wyse dat daar koeie van ten minste twee (verkieslik meer) teelgroepe in elke nuwe groep verteenwoordig is.

• Vermy dit om jaar na jaar dieselfde groep koeie met dieselfde bul te paar, d.w.s. hergroepeer die dekgroepe elke jaar. Die beste tyd hiervoor is by speen van hul kalwers om te verseker dat dat hulle bekend is met hul nuwe groep voordat hulle begin kalf.

• Maak seker dat die uitgebreide stambome van ingevoerde bulle/semen opgeneem word in die geïntegreerde databasis (Intergis).

Groot maak- en Voeding Status Kodes beskikbaar op INTERGIS om diere korrek in behandelingsgroepe in te deel.

• Buy bulls (and females) from (and sell to) performance recorded herds.

• After the mating season has ended, run cows in one big group. If this is not possible, regroup the cows to ensure that cows from at least two (preferably more) mating groups are represented in each new cow group. After the mating season has ended, avoid keeping the mating groups intact and separate.

• Avoid mating the same group of cows to the same bull year after year, i.e. regroup the mating groups from year to year. The best time for this is at weaning to ensure that they are familiar to their new group before they start calving.

• Ensure that the extended pedigrees of imported semen/bulls are recorded on the central database (INTERGIS).

• When entering bulls for a central performance test (Phase C), send at least three bulls from the same weaning group. These bulls should be the progeny of at least two sires of which at least one sire is a link sire (a sire of which one of more son has previously been tested in a Phase C test).

Rearing- and Feeding Status Codes available on INTERGIS to assist with defining of animals to the correct contemporary groups.

Rearing Status Code Feeding Status Code1 = Suckling own dam 1 = Ca/P lick2 = Suckling foster dam 2 = Protein/Energy lick3 = 2/twins suckling dam 3 = No lick4 = 1/twin suckling dam 4 = Concentrate5 = Dam also milked 5 = Other lick6 = Calf hand raised 6 = Plant Pastures7 = Embryo Transfer suckling recipient dam 7 = Crop residues

8 = Green fodder

Grootmaak Status Kode Voeding Status Kode1 = Soog eie moer 1 = Ca/P lek2 = Soog pleeg moer 2 = Protein/Energy lek3 = 2/tweeling soog moer 3 = Geen lek4 = 1/tweeling soog moer 4 = Konsentraat5 = Moer word ook gemelk 5 = Ander lek6 = Kalf hand groot gemaak 6 = Aangepnate weiding7 = Embrio soog ontvanger moer 7 = Oes reste

8 = Groen voer

For further assistance, please contact Frans Jordaan at 012 672 9085, [email protected] or the National Beef Scheme (Dr Ben Greyling) at 012 672 9052, [email protected].

Vir meer inligting kan die LNR gekontak word; Frans Jordaan by 012 672 9085, [email protected] of die Nasionale Vleisbeesskema (Dr Ben Greyling) by 012 672 9052, [email protected].

KantoorUIT DIE

Kyk wie kom kuier vir ons by die Kantoor in Bloem! Was lekker om jou hier te hê Mnr Joel Mamabolo!

Look who came to visit us at our office in Bloem! Was great to have you here Mr Joel Mamabolo!


AFRIKANER KRUISSKYFmet feta kaas

PULLED AFRIKANER BEEF (in a pressure cooker)

∙ Paarkerstamaties∙ Varsknoffelhuisies∙ Varsroosmaryntakkies∙ Bruinsuiker∙ Olyfolie∙ Soutenvarsgemaalde

swartpeper na smaak

∙ 500gAfrikanerSilversideRoastSearthe500gAfrikanerBeefonallsideswhilstspicingwithAromat,groundblackpepperandfreshgarlictotaste.

Voorverhit die oond tot 200 °C.1. Plaas die tamaties, knoffel en roosmaryn op ‘n bakplaat en besprinkel met olyfolie en sprinkel bruinsuiker. 2. Geur met sout en peper. 3. Oondbraai ongeveer 15-20 minute lank in voorverhitte oond tot net gaar.4. Smeer ‘n leksel Marmite oor die steak, maal peper oor, sprinkel ‘n bietjie mostert oor en bedruip met ‘n spatsel olyfolie en balsamiese asyn. 5. Rooster vinnig oor warm kole of 5-7 minute in ‘n goed verhitte riffelpan vir liggaar, of 7-10 minute vir medium gaar.6. Plaas ‘n wiel fetakaas (net voor die vleis gaar is) op ‘n bakplaat en oondbraai tot dit net-net wil begin smelt.7. Plaas steak op ‘n warm bord, plaas kaas op die steak en stapel die tamaties bo-op. Sit voor saam met aartappelwiggies en slaai.Lewer een porsie.

Add the above liquid mix to the meat in the pressure cooker and click on the meat option. Close the lid and the valve. Once done, leave to cool. Open the lid and feel the meat – this process will most likely have to be repeated twice. Put the lid back on and choose the meat option again.Once the pressure cooker has finished, take two forks and pull the meat apart until the meat is in small pieces, resting in the sauce. Dish up and serve with coleslaw/potato salad (summer)/mashed potatoes (winter) and a fresh roll.Serves 4-6.

∙ 1Porsie(250-300g)rypgemaakteAfrikanerkruisskyf(rump)

∙Marmite∙Mosterdpoeier∙ Balsamieseasyn∙ 1wielfetakaas

Whilstsearing,makeamixtureofthefollowing:∙ 400mlcoke∙ 4tablespoonsofbarbequesauce∙ 1tablespoonoftomatosauce∙ 1tablespoonofchutney∙ 1teaspoonofWorcestershiresauce

>> Ilani Cronjé

>> Lauren James

RESEPTE


AFRIKANERBEESKERRIE

BOEREKERRIE

∙ ±1kgvoorkwartAfrikanervleisKooktotlekkersag,maarniesoverdatdiebenevandievleisafvalnie.Voegsoutenpepernasmaakby.(Ekhoudaarvanomdievleisin‘nysterpotindieoondteen180°gaartemaak)Onthouomsowat‘n¾uurvoordatvleissagis,dieaartappelsbytevoeg.(So±1.5uurnadatdievleisindieoondgesitiskomdieaartappelsby)

Bestanddele:• 15mlolyfolie• 500gAfrikanerbeesbinneboud(topside)in

blokkiesgesny• 1grootui,gekap• 3wortels,inblokkiesgesny• 2aartappels,geskileninblokkiesgesny• 375mlbeesvleisaftreksel• 30mlappelkooskonfyt

• 30mltamatiesous• 5mlborrie• 10mlmielieblom• 60mldruiweasyn• 30mlsultanas(opsioneel)• Soutenvarsgemaaldeswartpepernasmaak

Voeg ± 375ml – 500ml water by (afhangende hoeveel vog daar reeds by die vleis is)Roer versigtig deur en sit terug in die oond vir ± 15 minute.

Metode:1. Verhit die olie in ‘n groot kastrol en verbruin die vleis in twee sarsies, maar moenie dit gaarmaak nie. Skep dit uit.2. Soteer die uit tot sag en roer die wortels en aartappels by. Verlaag die hitte en roer die vleis en aftreksel by. Verhit

dit tot kookpunt, plaas die deksel op en laat prut vir 30 minute. Voeg nog aftreksel by indien nodig.3. Meng die res van die bestanddele en roer dit by die vleis. Laat prut die mengsel nog 15minute of tot die vleis sag

is. Roer af en toe. Geur na smaak en sit warm voor.

Variasie:Afrikanerbees maalvleis kan ook gebruik word. Laat prut dit vir 15 minute, roer die geurmiddels by en laat prut vir nog 15 minute.

Kerriesous:∙ 10mlkerrie(Cartwrightsmatig)∙ 5mlborrie∙ 50mlkoekmeelMengsaam

Voeg by:∙ 5mlWoestersous∙ 10mltamatiesous∙ 20mlasynMengmet3poedinglepelsstroop

>> Elbie de Kock

>> Belinda van der Linde


BORSSTROOKmet Coke sous

AFRIKANERBEESSKOF

1. Maak gaar in kasserol. 2. Sout en peper na smaak. 3. Bak in kasserol vir ±4 ure. 4. Laat afkoel en sny in dun skywe. 5. Pak skywe skuins in plat bak. 6. Gebruik vleisaftreksel in kasserol vir sou.

Indien jy ‘n koningsmaal wil voorsit, beprinkel ongeveer 3kg skof met sout en peper. Bedek alkante met aliminiumfoelie met die blink kant na die vleis. Geur met oreganum en lourierblare. Plaas uieringe onder sowel as bo-op die vleis. Verseël foelie deeglik en plaas in ‘n toe braaipan. Stel oond op 140oC sodat vleis stadig gaar word. Sodra gaar laat afkoel. Sny vleis in skywe en maak sous van vleisaftreksel en souspoeier.

Braai Uie en Sampioene tot bruin in bietjie olie in n pan.Meng eenkant Maizena, Room en Melk tot glad en voeg by uie en sampioene. Meng goed deur pasop net dit brand maklik aan so plaat moet op lae hitte wees. As sous verdik het voeg Cheddarkaas asook Sout, Peper en Aromat by na smaak en roer goed deur. As sous bietjie te dun is kan nog ŉ bietjie Maizena saam met bietjie melk gevoeg word om dit te verdik. Heerlik saam met Steak. My man hou van eet so hy sal sommer volgende oggend as daar oorskiet sous is op Toast broodjie ook eet.

Roer tot kook.Gooi oor vleis en sit in oond tot lekker warm.

Sous:∙ Braai2uiein‘nbietjieolieVoegvolgendeby:∙ 1BlikkieCoke∙ 1Koppievleisaftreksel∙ 1Pakkiesampioensop∙ 1Koppieblatjang∙ ½Koppietamatiesous

>> Elise Bouwer

>> Alet Ras

>> Jeanetta Jacobs

CHEDDAR & SAMPIOEN sous vir steak∙ 1PakkieSampioenegesnipper.∙ 1Uifyngesny∙ 375mlmelk∙ 250mlRoom∙ 2KoppiesGerasperdeCheddarkaas

∙ 1EetlepelMaizena∙ Aromat∙ Sout∙ Gebreekteswartpeperkorrels


THE AFRISIMThe no-nonsense breedORIGIN

Cross breeding between the Afrikaner and Simmentaler breeds is not a new concept and has been a popular breeding practice since the early to middle 1900’s. It is therefore not unusual that an officially recognised breed should be the outcome of this highly profitable breeding method. On Thursday 12 August 2005, 13 interested cattle breeders gathered on the farm of Nico Venter in the Coligny district, for the official founding of the new breed, the Afrisim. Amongst those present, were Prof. Frikkie Neser (UOFS), Lynton Vermaak (ARC) and Charl van Rooyen (Landbouweekblad) who were invited to give their input in the important decisions that were to be made that day. The first Afrisim Committee members chosen during that meeting, were: Charl van Rooyen (Chairman), Nico Venter (Vice Chairman)

Lynton Vermaak (Secretary) and Charl Swart (Additional member).

The Afrisim breed could not be recognised as a fully-fledged breed and had to be registered as a developing breed under the protection of one of the two original Breeders Societies (Afrikaner and Simmentaler). After much deliberation, it was decided to have the Afrisim registered under the protection of the Afrikaner Cattle Breeders Association (ACBS), and all administration will be done through them. In 2007 Afrisim Breeders started subscribing to Studbook and have been participating in formal evaluations and performance testing since then. In 2009, the Afrisim was

officially registered as “A Breed under Evaluation”.

GENERAL:

The main objective in the breeding and development of the Afrisim is to breed an animal that is easy to farm with, that performs well under pressure and is economical. In order to achieve this, the best traits of both original breeds must be combined in one breed; the adjustment to harsh climatic and environmental conditions, the ease of calving and well-developed mother instincts that is inherent to the Afrikaner, combined with the growth ability and milk of the Simmentaler. Original reciprocal cross breeding consists of 50% Afrikaner and 50% Simmentaler, where after only registered Afrisim bulls and cows may be used. The aim is to achieve a medium frame, fast growing animal, that does well in the feedlot and that can also be rounded-off from the veld. Of

interest to note is that the extra gene that is present in the Afrikaner and that ensures soft and juicy meat, is also present in the Afrisim.

Although no official studies pertaining to the size and weight of Afrisim carcasses have been done, it is obvious that the carcasses are heavier than those of the Afrikaner.

To summarise: A medium-framed animal, yellow to red coat usually with a white patch on the forehead. (A few white patches on the body are also acceptable). The coat should be smooth and shiny – a legacy from the Afrikaner – in order to repel external parasites such as ticks and flies. Exceptional walking ability, easy calving and adaptability to the harsh, unpredictable South African weather and grazing conditions are essential to maintain

the breed’s no-nonsense farming reputation. The carcass has good depth with a strong muscular back and well defined loin. All progeny are de-horned at an early age to ensure easy handling in controlled circumstances. Polled calves occasionally occur. Bulls have a slight cervical-thoracic hump and dewlap, though not as pronounced as the Afrikaner. Cows are feminine with a sloping rump for easy calving and achieve early sexual maturity due to the influence of the Simmentaler. They are well known for their easy calving ability and excellent mothering skills. The one very important and unique legacy from the Afrikaner is the extra gene that ensures tender meat when insisting on Afrisim cuts.


For more information, contact:

1. The Afrikaner Cattle Breeders’ Association at [email protected] Phone: 051 4477 405

2. Afrisim Chairman: Lynton Vermaak 083 519 2515 or [email protected].

*ANNUAL REPORT ARC 2009/2010

AVERAGESMATURE WEIGHT 800 – 1 200kg

450 - 600kgBIRTH WEIGHT + 35kg205 DAY WEIGHT (WEANING) + 219kg18 MONTHS 344kg PHASE C - ADG 1 771gPHASE C - FCR 5.71kgAGE FIRST CALF 24 – 39 monthsINTER-CALVING PERIOD 423 days

QUALITIES:• Heat, parasite and disease tolerant.

• Good walking and grazing ability.

• Easy calving.

• Exceptional mothering qualities.

• Longevity.

• Exceptional quality meat.

• Performs well in feed lot.

• No-nonsense minimum care, maximum profit breed.

• Easy handling in controlled circumstances, due to their placid temperament.


‘n Telersgenootskap of ras sonder ‘n gedefinieerde teelbeleid is rigtingloos. Nieteenstaande die enorme omgewings-verskille waaronder ons telers in Suid-Afrika boer is daar gemeenskaplike doelwitte wat orals toepasbaar is. Ons wil ‘n dier teel wat winsgewend sal produseer en waarvoor daar ‘n aanvraag in die bedryf is. Die Afrisim teelbeleid, kan as volg opgesom word.

Reproduksie (vrugbaarheid) geniet op alle vlakke die hoogste prioriteit. Onder normale omgewingstoestande word verwag dat Afrisim koeie elke jaar ‘n kalf in die lewe bring, doeltreffend grootmaak en speen. Beoordelaars, keurders en eksaminatore by kursusse moet deurgaans hieraan aandag gee en reproduksie voorop stel.

Seleksie vir aanpasbaarheid. Slegs diere wat behoorlik aangepas en gelukkig is in hul omgewing, sal produseer. Konstitusie (voorkoms van die dier), gehardheid (reaksie teenoor omgewings-stressors) en aanpasbaarheid (om in ‘n omgewing te gedy en te produseer) is basies dieselfde begrip en val vir die doel hiervan almal onder hierdie doelstelling. Identifiseer die koeie wat ook onder strawwe toestande reproduseer en produseer, kyk hoe hulle lyk en plaas hulle prentjie in die teeldoelstellings.

Grootte. As gevolg van die groot omgewings verskille waaronder ons telers boer, asook verskille in bulkopers voorkeure, is dit onmoontlik om ‘n minimum grootte en/of gewig voor te skryf. Weens negatiewe kenmerke *wat met groter beeste ge-assosieër word, word die “middelweg – grootte“ aanbeveel en moet daar by keuring, beoordeling en kursusse teen te groot diere gediskrimineer word. (Hoër onderhoudsbehoeftes, swakker konstitusie, later geslagsryp en swaarder geboortegewig en dus kalfprobleme). Die oorgroot diere moet elimineer word eerder as om oorboord te gaan deur almal klein te teel.

Die koei wat in haar natuurlike omgewing jaarliks kalf en ‘n swaar kalf relatief tot haar gewig speen (50%), het die grootte wat die Genootskap nastreef.

Binneras variasie: Met die groot variasie in omgewingstoestande is variasie tot binne die teelbeleid noodsaaklik om die verskillende verbruikers-voorkeure te akkommodeer. By binneras variasie verwys ons na raamgrootte en nie na begrippe soos haarkleed, konstitusie en strukturele korrektheid nie.

Gebruik die oog en die skaal. Daar is goeie presteerders met voorkoms foute asook kampioene wat swak presteer. Keuring (voorkoms) en kalwingsrekord (reproduksie) is verpligtend en prestasietoetsing (gewigte) word sterk aanbeveel.

Doelgerigte toepassing van die teelbeleid word bewerkstellig d.m.v.:

• verpligte keuring vir registrasie;

• opleidingskursusse vir telers en gevorderde kursusse vir beoordelaars; en

• deur beoordelaars op skoue.

AFRISIMTeelbeleid


AFRISIMTeelprogram

F1 AFRISIM X F1, F2, F3, F4 Alternatief F2 X F1 = F2

F2 X F2, F3, F4 F3 X F1 = F2 F3 X F2 = F3

F3 X F3, F4

F4 - SP F4 X F1 = F2 F4 X F2 = F3 F4 X F3 = F4

AFR = AFRIKANER SIM = SIMMENTALER ASMT – AFRISIM – TIPE – Kan ook vir “cum” aangebied word.

R = IS OF WAS GEREGISTREER. Opname sonder keuring deur voorsiening van naam/identifikasie of kopie van sertifikaat.

Fd = Graad koeie/verse sonder rekords. Opname as fondasie onderhewig aan keuring.

Meerbul paring moontlik vir die teling van F1 en F 2 kalwers.

Alle diere moet onthoring/poena wees.

‘n Buigsame teelprogram, wat ‘n wye reeks van Afrikaner/Simmentaler kruisings vir F1 registrasie toelaat. Dit stel die teler in staat om die regte tipe vir sy omgewing te teel.

REGISTRASIE AS F1, F2, F3 EN F4 ONDERHEWIG AAN KEURING DEUR RASKENNERS

(A) (B) (C)

AFR SIM AFR ASMT “ CUM” R X R of Fd R X Fd Gewenste Afrisim Eienskappe

SIM AFR SIM ASMT R X R of Fd R X Fd

Afrikaner_2020_deel 2.pdf

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