Beef Cattle breeding
1.0 Introduction
In terms of the contribution to the agricultural industry in Zimbabwe, beef production
contributes to 19% of the total value of agricultural produce. If you take into account the use of
beef cattle for draft power, manure hides and ceremonial activities, the figure is much higher.
The commercial beef herd is estimated to be close to 2.3 million head (CSO, 1994). According to
the figures kept by the department of tertiary services, (1993) there are 3.2 million beef cattle
in the communal areas. The communal head has declined dramatically by 1.7 million due to the
1991/92 drought. At present farmers are restocking. This national herd rebuilding is being
hampered by the shortage of suitable breeds of beef cattle, particularly the indigenous breeds
like the Mashona.
Currently there is some indiscriminate introduction of less adapted exotic stock into communal
areas. There is need to enhance genetic conservation of our indigenous stock. Beef cattle
production, particularly in the small holder sector is low there is need to improve productivity
through animal breeding and genetics strategies. This can contribute to increased income per
animal. This is done by mating genetically superior sires to superior cows using their estimated
breeding values (EBVS). The main goal of beef producers’ genetic improvement programme
should be to produce replacement of heifers with the greatest possible genetic capability for
making a profit. The goal can be attained by combining the best of genetic material present in
the herd, for economically important traits or with the available germ plasm from the out side
the herd (crossbreeding)
1.2 Breeds
The beef cattle breeds of Zimbabwe can be divided broadly into indigenous or native that is,
those breeds which originated from the region often called Bos indicus and exotic or foreign,
which means those who originated from out side the region. These are sometimes called the
Bos Taurus. How do we define breed?
A breed defines a closed population of interbreeding animals similar in some conspicuous traits
of colour and / or conformation. The breed standards are maintained by breed societies. In
Zimbabwe there is almost a breed society for every beef breed. The known indigenous breeding
societies are those of the Africander, Mashona and Tuli. Breed societies were founded for the
purpose of establishing breed purity by recording ancestry and defining the standards which
selection should be made.
1.3 Indigenous Cattle of Zimbabwe
These belong to the Sanga type of African cattle. They are pseudo zebu, meaning that they are
humped. The indigenous breeds which exist in Zimbabwe today are the Mashona, Nkone, Tuli
and Africander.
The Mashona
The Mashona cattle are widely distributed in the east and central Zimbabwe and are the most
numerous breed of cattle. These are small cattle, cows weighing 275 to 350kg. Black is the
commonest colour, then red. There are also various shades and combinations of other colours.
The general conformation is neat and compact and bone structure is fine. The tail is long and
touches the ground.
The Nkone
The Nkone (Nguni, Zulu, Swazi) were brought to the southern parts of Zimbabwe by the
migrating tribes from south Africa who settled in Matebeleland in 1838 (Vorter, 1964). Nkone
cattle are small to medium in size. Mature bulls are estimated at 430 to 680kg and cows range
from 225 to 450kgs. They are better milkers than the Mashona. The colour patterns maybe
anything from black eared, white through white with colour spots or patches on the side, to
black with black stripe, belly head and tail. In the Zimbabwean strain, the red and white colour
is most common than the black and white. To date, only two commercial herds exist at
Matopos Reasearch Station, and the other at a neighboring commercial farm.
The Tuli
The Tuli breed is located in the low veld in the south west corner of Zimbabwe, near the border
with Botswana. These are strains of the Twana cattle of Bostwana which migrated into the
district and south west of Gwanda, from Tuli to Plumtree. The commonest type is the yellow (or
Golden brown) type. They also occur in red, red and white and other colours. There are large
cattle, with male maturing at 770 to 820 kgs and females at 500 to 550kgs (Mason and Mule,
1960). The largest herds are found at Matopos and Grassland Research Stations in Zimbabwe.
The Africander
The Africander (Africainer) were the last of the Sanga cattle to arrive into Zimbabwe. They came
with white settlers in the 1890s and are subsequently imported for ranching. The Hottentot
cattle were the principle source of the Africander (Mason and Maule, 1960). The Africander
breed has had a considerable influence on the other indigenous breeds. The Brahman is often
referred to as an imported Zebu.
Indigenous breeds are well adapted to the local tropical conditions. They have a high degree of
heat tolerance, are partially resistant to many of the disease prevailing in the tropics and have
the ability to survive long periods of feed and water shortages.
1.4 Exotic Breeds
Illustrations of the various types are shown in plates 1-12 of the Beef Production Manual,1991.
The British breeds
The British breeds (Bos Taurus), can be divided into specialist beef breeds which include the
Aberdeen angus, Hereford and Sussex and the dual purpose type which include mainly South
Devon. These are kept for both milk and meat.
The Continental large Exotics
The continental large exotics are also Bos Taurus, like their British counterparts, can also be
divided into specialist beef and dual purpose beef types. Good examples of specialist beef
breeds are the Charolais (France) and Limousine (Britain). The Dual purpose types are
Simmentaler and Red Dane (Denmark)
Zebu-British Synthetics
The Zebu British synthetics include the Beefmaster and Santa Gertrudis. The Santa Gertrudis
was developed from a cross of the short horn and Brahman. It was developed to be adapted to
hot humid environment of Texas in the USA, but with the growth rate and carcass merit of the
British breeds. In Zimbabwe Brangus is Brahman x Aberdeen Angus and Simbra is simentaler x
Brahman. These are adapted to Zimbabwean conditions. The Chabray is Charolais x Brahman.
The desired breed combination has to be determined on the basis of performance of crosses
and heterosis
There is no perfect breed for all conditions. This is because of genotype by environment
interactions. In order to obtain maximum efficiency, a combination of breeds is necessary, and
this can only be achieved in cross breeding programme. Breeders should carefully assess their
environmental and management conditions, with the view to choosing suitably adapted breeds.
1.5 Traits of economic Importance
A successful beef breeder should bear in mind the key performance characteristics/traits which
contribute to profitability. Fertility is measured by calving percentage, is of overriding
importance. Growth rate in relation to size of cow and carcass grade is also an important factor
in profitable beef production. Fertility, however, is the largest contributors and is far more
important than any superficial breed characteristic or trait. The ranking of traits of economic
importance in beef animals in order of importance are as follows.




Fertility
Yearling mass and growth rate
Weaning mass in relation to cow mass
Feedlot gain and efficiency carcass grade
Other traits, for example type or breed points have significance for breeders of purebred cattle
and where adherence to breed standards is necessary for registration. Conformation as it
relates to proportions of muscle, fat, bone, and functional efficiency should be given some
emphasis.
1.6 Variation
Variation measures how different animals are in production traits or its average spread of a
population for that particular trait. The genetic variation is a measure of variation of breeding
values for the trait being considered. The larger the phenotypic and genetic variances, the
greater the progress made in the selection. Primary genetic questions are formulated based on
variation. No beef produce calves with the same birth mass or weaning mass under any
circumstance except by pure coincide
These differences among beef cows, is what is called variation. Because of variation, beef
breeders can choose and make progress. The goal of beef cattle breeding should be to choose
parents of herd replacements in such a manner that the progeny out-perform their dams.
Variation is the raw material with which the breeder works. Variation among beef cattle is
partly due to inheritance, and partly due to environment (P=G+E).
The beef cattle industry requires a concerted effort in both genetic selections and management
to improve performances. If there were no variations in expressions of traits of economics
importance in beef cattle, then we would not be making progress through selection. This
implies that every animal would be the same and would not make a difference with the one
you choose for breeding. With greater variations in a trait, there is more scope for change by
selection.
1.8 Genetic Parameters
Most beef production traits have medium heritbilities, so they can respond strongly to
selection. Fertility and calve survival have low heritabilities and are generally improved
dramatically through management or crossbreeding.
Table 1: Heritabilities of some beef cattle traits
Trait
Heritability (%)
Birth weight
Weaning weight
Yearling weight
Daily gain
Feed conversion
Final conformation
Carcass weight
Fertility
Calf survival
Economic merit
Quality grade
35 – 40
25 – 30
45
45
39
45
50
10 – 15
0–4
46
30
Medium heritability traits respond well to selection. The genetic correlation between weaning
weight and birth weight is about 50%. This implies that selection for increased birth weight also
improves weaning weight. Carcass weight, and live weight or muscling are also positively
correlated genetically thus one need to select for live weight or masculine in order to obtain
better carcass weight and grade
Birth weight is negatively correlated with calving ease/difficulty. So if you have cows with
problem of calving difficulty. You should select bulls with daughters with calving ease or low
birth weights as well as weaning weight. This is called corrective mating or negative mating.
Genetic correlations are used for indirect selection and the improvement gained is through
correlated response. Feed conversation efficiency is highly correlated genetically with growth
rate. There is negative genetic correlation between yearling and ease of calving, in breeds
which suffer from calving difficulty, concurrent selections for yearling and against high birth
weight are effective.
1.8 Genetic evaluation/improvement Programmes
The currently used improvement programme for beef cattle are:
1. Improvement by selection within herds.
2. Introduction of genetic material from out side by cross breeding.
Progeny testing schemes of bulls which have been successful in the developed world have not
been fully utilized in Zimbabwe. This scheme requires large breeding units, with widespread
recording, and artificial insemination (A1). This is a major problem in Zimbabwe particularly in
the smallholder sector. The use of reference sire (one sire used in several herds) is also not
widely practiced, so the majorities are single sire herds. As a result, the repeatability of the
estimated breeding values (EBV`s) are very low. In the small holder sector, large populations of
recorded animals to support such schemes do not exist. In addition AI services are not
available. As a result, a breeding programme may have to be established in a single herd or a
group breeding scheme, for example on open nucleus group breeding scheme. The nucleus
herd should be set up on government research station or university farm. With this nucleus
herd, males used should have come from within or outside the nucleus provided that they very
high genetic merit. The benefit with this system is that the benefit of the genetic progress is in
turn, transmitted to a much larger number of animals. Such a programme might be expensive,
but this is justifiable due to the maximum genetic progress that can be achieved. A small open
nucleus group breeding scheme can have a tremendous impact if properly organized and
operated. With our indigenous stock it would seem logical before we introduce exotic blood, to
improve them by performance selection within these breeds.
Zimbabwean beef cattle producers use crossbreeding extensively in order to exploit hybrid
vigor. The first crosses in well planned beef crossbreeding programmes have been found to be
superior to straight breeds for reproductivity, maternal traits and weaning weights. Current
research has shown that crossbred cattle are the most profitable for all segments of the beef
industry. The Simmental cross very well with other breeds to produce an efficient animal. Beef
cattle producers must consider crossbreeding because:
 Hybrid vigour alone increase reproductive efficiency, maternal ability, gainability,
longevity and hardness under stress.
 Through cross breeding, the desirable traits of two or more breeds are combined to
produce a market animal or breed cow superior to either parent.
 Crossbreeding accomplishes more within one generation than can be accomplished in
many generations of a straight one-breed programme.
One should note that hybrid vigour is not inherited from one generation to the next. This is why
a planned breeding programme is vital. Haphazard crossbreeding results in declined level of
hybrid vigour with each other new calf crop. To prevent this, mating one must be planned so
that the new genetic material is constantly being introduced to the herd. The cross breeding
plans, for example the two- breed rational cross programme and the three breed rational cross
programme effectively maintain hybrid vigour from one generation to the next. The Mashona
cow has been shown by research at Matopos Research Station to be a very good dam line for
crossbreeding.
Crossbreeding in Zimbabwe has also resulted in new breed development. The Simbra breed
which comprises of 5/8 Simmental and 3/8 Brahman was originally developed in the hot, humid
areas of the Gulf Coast in the USA. The Brahman`s heat resistance, insect tolerance and
hardness were combined with the Simmental`s genetics of growth, milking and ability fertility
into the Simbra breed. It can work almost in every environment. The two mayor points in
developing crossbreeding programme are:
1. No one genotype fits all production systems, and
2. The level of Bos Taurus inheritance is governed by the availability of nutrients which
may economically support higher levels of maintenance and production. The major
limitation to crossing Bos Taurus with Bos indicus breeds in the tropical has been in
deciding which direction to go after the F1 cross.
As a final note, beef cattle breeders should use estimated breeding values (EBV`s) for genetic
evaluations. EBVs are the most accurate method of comparing animals for any traits. They allow
direct comparisons for animals within a breed and within or cross herds. EBV tell us how
genetically different animals are (-+) compared to the breed benchmark of zero (0). EBV`s can
also be used to estimate the difference in any trait that can be expected in the progeny of the
bull and cow being compared. They are calculated by adjusting traits heritability. Herds which
select bulls and cows based on their EBV`s make faster genetic progress than those which do
not.
1.9 Recording Schemes
The objective of record keeping is to increase the efficiency of any beef producer hence, the
profitability of the beef herd. The recording schemes to focus on are for genetic improvement.
Any performance records are needed to assess management, and individual records are needed
for genetic improvement, that is, used for selection and culling. One should be aware by that
group performances are needed to assess management, and individual records are needed for
genetic improvement. Any performance testing system involves the recording of certain basic
information. Essentially this relates to performance in traits of major economic importance.
These are namely, fertility and calf growth before and after weaning.
1.10 Systems of recording
Three systems of recording namely ZHB, BPTS and individual Farmer Recordings.
The Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB)
The Zimbabwean Herd Book (ZHB) is the sole registering agency of the country for percentage
of pedigree and appendix livestock. It serves all recognized livestock and breed societies, clubs
etc, which include about 15 beef breeds. The ZHB plays an important role in that it ensures the
maintenance of breed standards. It also provides pedigree information, and thereby guarantee
a supply of high quality bulls into the agricultural sectors.
The Zimbabwe Beef Performance Testing Scheme
In Zimbabwe, beef cattle performance recording was started in the 1960s and is currently
managed by the Department Of Agricultural Technical Extension Services (Agritex). The
recording scheme involves some collection by participating farmers of cow and calf records
which are processed by the Agritex to provide information on which to replace genetically
superior replacement stock. Due to lack of manpower and computing facilities, there are delays
to Agritex in sending back results to farmers. As a result in recent years confidence in the
scheme has been on the decline. The scheme is practically non-functional at the moment and it
is understood that Agritex is considering abandoning the scheme. The scheme needs to be
updated and revamped by using an animal model to estimate breeding values.
Individual Farmer Recordings
Individual farmer who might not be members of BPTS also make cow and calf records, and
analyse them using their own computing facilities. In addition identification of animals is done
by individual beef farmer. There is a need for nationally integrated performance recording
scheme for each live stock species as part of an overall livestock breeding policy. This assesses
animals estimated breeding values using the most modern techniques.
1.11 Factors limiting Genetic Progress in Beef Cattle
In the smallholder sector and for some extent in the large scale commercial sector, factors such
as single sire herds and small herds sizes result in small selection differentials. The selection
differential is the advantage of the selected group over the mean of the group. The selection
differential is larger in a herd where the proportion selected is small, and the herd size large
and the variation in the trait is large. The proportion selected, and hence the intensity of
selection, is affected by a number of factors relating to herd management such as generation
interval, and bull percentage used. Alternatively, when selecting bulls, there is a tendency to
select a small proportion, so the advantage of the selected group over the average of group
becomes larger. The larger the herd provides opportunities for selection since usually contain a
greater range of genetic material. Generally, there is less selection intensity than can be
thoeratically predicted.
Generation interval
Generation interval, is the number of years from one generation to the next. If this period is
prolonged by the continued use of old bulls and cow, their replacement by superior young stock
is delayed and overall genetic progress is retarded. Due to genetic change which is permanent
and additive, in most cases, young bulls should be quiet rapid. But with cows longevity in high
producers is a valuable trait.
Finally, losses from natural selection (survival of the fittest) can also limit genetic progress in
beef cattle.
National Sire Evaluation Scheme
In Zimbabwe there is no national beef sire evaluation scheme which should rank animals based
EBVs. This is hindering genetic progress.
Management
Recall the equation P=G+E. All economically imported traits regardless of their heritability,
respond in greater or lesser degree to good management. Management, particularly in the
small holder and communal sectors is poor and this hinders genetic progress. Accurate measure
of traits in performance recording improves response to selection. This is a major factor limiting
genetic progress of beef herds in the communal areas.
1.12 Future prospects for genetic improvement
In order for Zimbabwe to genetically improve beef cattle production in the future there is need
to put in place several facilities, inter allia:
a) An integrated national performance recording center for genetic improvement of
livestock. This has to cover all livestock species and all sectors of the agricultural
industry. This center should use modern technology and improve methods of genetic
evaluation of animals
b) An open nucleus breeding scheme for beef cattle should be advocated. This is attractive
particularly in the small holder sector with small populations where within herd
selection programmes are effective. This can be combined with progeny testing
c) A national sire and cow evaluation scheme where animals are ranked on their estimated
breeding values. The sire summaries should be published twice a year and be readily
available to be farmers. Farmers can then use their EBV`s to make breeding and
selection decisions.
d) The government should invest large sums of money for performance recording of data
particularly in the small holder sector. This money should also be used for careful
management of breeding animals. The future of the beef industry in Zimbabwe is in the
small holder sector
e) A collaborative approach to improvement of management in the communal areas is
required. Animal scientists and veterinarians need to work to improve feeding, grazing,
general management and diseases control in the communal areas. Most economically
important traits respond to good management. Adequate management also ensures
high fertility.
f) Measure key traits in a performance testing programme to identify genetically superior
animals. In particular, use tested, high performing young bulls and heifers from
outstanding dams and sires.
Activity
1. How would you set up a beef improvement programme in your district
2. The future of the Zimbabwean beef industry is in the communal areas. Discuss this
statement
3. Outline the difference between positive and negative assortative matings
4. Draw comparisons between two-breed rotational and three-breed rotational cross
programmes
5. Describe and explain factors affecting response to selection in common livestock
species.
6. Discuss the importance of variation and its utilization in the field of beef cattle breeding
and genetics.
7. Discuss the problems limiting genetic progress in beef cattle in Zimbabwe and suggest
solutions to these problems.