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Beef Cattle Breeds

Bonsmara Cattle: Jan Bonsma's Scientific Experiment in the Bushveld

A university experiment that began in 1937 produced a composite breed that became South Africa's most numerous beef cattle.

What is the Bonsmara?

The Bonsmara is a South African composite beef breed with a red coat and a blend of Bos indicus and Bos taurus characteristics. It was developed, in the words of the CattleSite breed profile, as a scientific experiment by Professor Jan Bonsma through many cross matings and back-crosses.

The breed's name combines Bonsma with Mara, the farm where the animals were bred.

The 1937 experiment

In 1937 Bonsma set out to test different breed combinations at the Messina Livestock Research Station. Afrikaner cows were crossed with bulls of five British beef breeds, and pilot trials narrowed the choice to Hereford and Shorthorn. Three-quarter Afrikaners were then mated to half-breeds, producing animals that are 5/8 Afrikaner and 3/8 Hereford or Shorthorn.

The Bonsmara's finished composition is 5/8 Afrikaner, 3/16 Hereford and 3/16 Shorthorn. The Afrikaner is a Sanga type, while the Hereford and Shorthorn are taurine types.

What the early trials showed

At Mara, crossbred cows weaned calves averaging 195 kilograms at 240 days, about 20 percent above the three parent breeds. The profile says that within 20 years a superior breed had been established that outperformed other breeds in the Northern Transvaal bushveld, and within 25 years it had become the most numerous beef breed in South Africa.

Bonsma also developed a unique method of scale photography to document the breed's pictorial genealogy.

What Made It Work

The Bonsmara is a rare case of a breed designed on purpose and tested against its parents. That planning explains most of its success.

The documented lessons are these.

  • Start from a local adapted base: the Afrikaner provided 5/8 of the genetics.
  • Test combinations before committing: five British beef breeds were trialed and the choice was narrowed to Hereford and Shorthorn in pilot trials.
  • Measure performance: inspected, approved purebreds carry the Bonsmara symbol brand on the right shoulder, and animals are performance tested.
  • Document the results with records and photographs.
  • Aim for fertility and ease of handling: the breed is fertile, with calving ease, low calf mortality and calm temperament.

Traits and where the breed is raised

The breed is well adapted to sub-tropical climates, with high-quality meat and resistance to local diseases. It is horned, but dehorned to meet breed standards, and described as suitable for crossbreeding.

The profile says it is mainly bred in Africa, with about 60,000 registered females under performance recording within a population of around 4 million head, and has recently been exported to North America and Australia.

Limits and open questions

The breed profile does not name the breed society or the year of official recognition, so this entry treats the commonly cited 1964 recognition as reported rather than confirmed. Population figures come from the breed profile and may be dated.

The Bonsmara's story is also tied to one scientist and one region, so its success in the northern bushveld does not guarantee the same results elsewhere. For other ranching stories, see farm.FM's ranching section and a farm.FM story about Bonsmara cattle. More background is at the ILRI Bonsmara page and the Rare Breeds Trust of Australia page.

Timeline

  1. 1937Jan Bonsma begins testing breed combinations at the Messina Livestock Research Station.
  2. 1957Within about 20 years, a breed that outperformed others in the Northern Transvaal bushveld is established.
  3. 1962Within under 25 years, the breed becomes the most numerous beef breed in South Africa.
  4. 1964Official recognition, reported by the breed's histories.
  5. RecentExports reach North America and Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Who developed the Bonsmara?

Professor Jan Bonsma developed the breed as a scientific experiment, beginning in 1937 at the Messina Livestock Research Station. The name combines Bonsma and Mara.

What is the Bonsmara made of?

It is 5/8 Afrikaner, 3/16 Hereford and 3/16 Shorthorn. The Afrikaner is a Sanga type, and the other two are taurine types.

Why is the Bonsmara popular in South Africa?

It is well adapted to sub-tropical conditions, fertile, calm and resistant to local diseases, and within 25 years it became South Africa's most numerous beef breed.

How do you identify Bonsmara cattle?

They have a red coat, and inspected, approved purebreds carry the Bonsmara symbol brand on the right shoulder.

Sources and further reading

Profiles are compiled from public sources and reviewed against them. See our editorial policy to suggest a correction.

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