Bonsmara Cattle - Crossbreeding.pdf - ADESSUS

Bonsmara Cattle
The Bonsmara in Crossbreeding
By Joggie Briedenhann
Crossbreeding, worldwide, is becoming more important and plays an increasingly important role in com- mercial beef
production. Namibia is a good example since 94% of all Ekwatho weanlings were crossbred animals. Several scientifically
grounded studies have undeniably proven that large improvements in beef production are possible when using a carefully considered
crossbreeding program. The studies have unfortunately however also found that the majority of crossbreeding programmes are not carefully
considered. This results in miscegenation, rather than crossbreeding.
The advantage of crossbreeding is achieved by two processes,
namely complementarities and heterosis (hybrid power).
Complementarities: This is the way that two or more characteristics
combine or complement each other to deter-
mine the superiority of the animal. In layman's
terms, this refers to how the good characteristics
(genes) of one animal/breed supplement
the poor characteristics of the other animal/
breed to ensure a better animal is bred for
these specific characteristics. The adaptability,
tolerance and parasite resistant capabilities of
indigenous breeds (Bos Indicus), combined with
the good growth characteristics and production
capability of foreign breeds (Bos Taurus), is a
good example of complementarity that can be
used to explain the advantage of crossbreeding.
The above mentioned refers to the complementarity
between breeds, but the Bonsmara’s advantage is the
complementarity that is present within the breed itself. This is the
only breed where performance testing has been compulsory since
the breed originated. There are currently full breeding values (EBV’s)
of all characteristics on record at SA Studbook for 1,551,440 Bonsmara
cattle. Studbook is a huge database that provides the farmer
who wants to implement complementarity in his herd, with a wide
variety of options. For every poor characteristic(s) that the farmer’s
Bonsmara displays, he will find a Bonsmara in the National Bonsmara
herd that displays the better characteristic(s) very strongly.
Through the process of complementarity, offspring can be bred that
perform better with regards to this characteristic(s). Selective breeding
forms part of complementarity.
There are currently 150,139 registered Bonsmaras in the RSA and
Namibia and there are approximately 120 Bonsmara auctions per
year - where the farmer can search for a Bonsmara that will provide
his herd with complementarity. This is more than two Bonsmara
auctions per week. The farmer that implements crossbreeding
should definitely consider the breed with the largest numbers and
the biggest database.
Heterosis: This is the genetic advantage that the offspring receives
through the mixing of the genes of the parents. Heterosis is
expressed as a percentage improvement of a specific characteristic.
For example, bulls from Breed 1, with an average weaning weight of
250kg are paired with cows from Breed 2, with an average weaning
weight of 220kg. The average weaning weight of the parents is then
(250+220)/2 = 235kg. However, the first crossbred calves (F1 generation)
had an average weaning weight of 242kg. The
percentage Heterosis is then (242-235)/235 x
100 = 3% (0,0297). Research has proven that the
greater the genetic diversity in the genetic composition
of the breeds being used in the crossbreeding
program is, the greater the hybrid power
effect on the offspring will be. A larger Heterosis
effect will therefore be achieved when pairing
a Simmentaler with a Bonsmara than when
pairing a Simmentaler with a Limousin. Table 1
shows the difference in performance between
pure breeds, crossbreeds and the use of composite
breeds for weaning weight per cow exposed to a bull.
Table 1: Heterozygosity and the estimated increase in weight of
weanlings per cow in different crossbreeding systems
Crossbreeding system Breed heterozygosity
(relative to F1) (%)
(A = father of calf) (B, C and D = Compound “cross”-genetics of
Mother of calf)
Source: Gregory and Cundiff, 1982 from Scholtz, MM., Beef Breeding in South
Africa, 2nd Ed (2010): p27.
In general, Heterosis will allow for the greatest improvement in the
characteristics that are least heritable, such as reproduction and
longevity. Little or no Heterosis is found in highly heritable characteristics
such as carcass quality. Table 2 shows the heritability and the
Heterosis-effect of selected characteristics.
Heterosis is not genetic and will be lost unless management practices
such as three-way crossing is used to preserve it.
Increase in weaning
weight per cow (%)
Pure breed 0 0
Two-breed rotation 66.7 15.5
Three-breed rotation 85.7 20.0
Four-breed rotation 93.9 21.7
Two-breed composite (5/8 A, 3/8 B) 46.9 10.9
Three-breed composite (3/8A, 3/8B, 1/4C) 65.6 15.3
Four-breed composite (3/8 A, 3/8 B, 1/8 C, 1/8 D) 68.6 16
Table 2: Summary of hereditary characteristics and level of heterosis
Characteristic Heritability Level of heterosis
Carcass characteristics High low
Skeletal measurements
Adult weight
(0 to 5%)
Growth rate Medium Medium
Birth weight
Weaning weight
Year-old weight
Milk Production
(0 to 5%)
Maternal ability Low High
Reproduction
Health
Cow Longevity
Overall cow productivity
(10 to 30%)
Source: Kress, D.D. MacNeil, M.D. Crossbreeding Beef Cattle for Western
Range Environments, 2nd ed. (1999). WCC-1 Publ. TB 99-1. Samuel Roberts
Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK.

Farmers always want to know what the kilograms produced per
hectare are, as this is one of best criteria to use when measuring
economic and effective farming. Table 3 depicts the kilograms
of weanling produced per hectare according to the breed of the
mother. The 210-day weaning weight, reproduction rate, calf deaths,
weaning weight/cow weight relationship, and carrying capacity
(10ha/LSU) are combined in a formula to determine weaning weight
produced per hectare. Only Bonsmara bulls were used on the cows.
The research was done by Els on the Vaalhartz research station.
Table 3: Weanling output in kg/ha according to breed of mother
Weanling weight / ha (kg) Breed of mother
15.1 – 16.0 A
16.1 – 17.0 C, H, B, ABA, HHA, CBA
17.1 – 18.0 S, HBO, CCA
18.1 – 19.0 BA, SA, CBO, BBA, CSA, BSA
19.1 – 20.0 ACA, AHA, ASA, CHA, HCA
20.1 – 22.0 BO, BBO, CA, SBO, SSA, HA, BHA, BHA, HAS, SCA, SHA
>22.0 BCA, SBA
A = Afrikaner – Bos indicus
B = Brahman – Bos indicus
BO = Bonsmara – Combined breed
C = Charolais – Bos Taurus (Continental European Breed)
H = Hereford – Bos Taurus (British breed)
S = Simmentaler – Bos Taurus (Continental European Breed)
The first letter indicates the father of the crossbreed and will therefore
constitute 50% of the composition.
Examples of three-breed-cross cow:
• BCA = 50% Brahman (father of cow), rest of cow is 25%
Charolais and 25% Afrikaner
• SBA = 50% Simmentaler (father of cow), rest of cow is 25%
Brahman and 25% Afirkaner
As expected, the three-breed-cross cows generally performed the
best. It is interesting to see that there are 4 half-cross cows, namely
the Brahman x Bonsmara, Simmentaler x Bonsmara, Charolais x
Afrikaner, and Hereford x Afrikaner, that also performed well. Many
Namibian farmers are still convinced that you have to use either
Brahman or Bonsmara as the mother line, and do not realise the
value of crossing two breeds. The heterosis effect is very large when
the Brahman, as Bos indicus/Zebu type, is paired with the Bonsmara,
composed of Bos indicus (5/8 Afrikaner) and 3/8 Bos taurus/British
Breeds (3/16 Hereford and 3/16 Short-horn). In effect you actually
get a four-breed-composite-cross calf.
Furthermore it is clear that the two best three-way crosses, that
produced more than 22kg/ha weanling weight, consist of two
adjusted breeds, the Brahman and Afrikaner and a lean meat breed;
in this case the Charolais and Simmental breeds (both Continental
European breeds).
The pure Bonsmara breed achieved the same production performance
as the three-way crosses (20,1 – 22,0kg/ha weanling
weight). This shows the value of composite breeds in crossbreeding,
regardless whether it is pure breeding, namely Bonsmara bull
with Bonsmara cow. As noted and explained above, the Bonsmara
is a three-breed-cross combined breed. The number of registered
Bonsmaras in South Africa and Namibia is currently 150,139; which
is more than double the amount of the breed in second place. The
farmer therefore has access to a large number of Bonsmaras that
provide a wide variety of genetics and genetically unrelated animals
- farmed with in all the regions of the RSA and Namibia. This means
that the bull and cow that are bred with will most likely be genetically
unrelated and that the calf therefore will show no signs of
inbreeding. In pure Bonsmara breeding it is also possible that both
the Bonsmara bull and cow each represent combinations of breeds
that are not identical.
This can be explained by the Bonsmara upbreeding system that is
shown below. This means that the offspring of any pure bred cow
or any crossed cow, no matter which breed, can be bred to
reach the status of registered Bonsmara, when making use
of a structured upbreeding process. One can imagine the immense
influence this can have on the heterosis-effect of the
Bonsmara. Resulting from inquiries to some of the Namibian
Bonsmara breeders, the following breeds were identified
as ones used in a structured upbreeding program of female
animal offspring to broaden the genetic diversity of the Bonsmara
(list is incomplete):
1. Afrikaner – Bos indicus
2. Simmental – Bos Taurus (Continental European breed)
3. Red “Poenskoppe” – Bos Taurus (British breed)
4. Shorthorn – Bostaurus (British breed)
5. Sussex – Bos Taurus (British Breed)
6. Red Angus – Bos Taurus (British breed)
7. Hereford – Bos Taurus (British breed)
8. Holsteiner – Dairy Breed
9. Mitteldeutches Rotvieh/Germany Red (Continental European
breed)
10. Braunvieh – Bos Taurus (Continental European breed)
The Bonsmara Society always advises new breeders joining them
to continue with the process of upbreeding, using different breeds,
as part of their breeding policy. This increases the genetic diversity
of the breed and in effect contributes to the heterosis-effect of the
Bonsmara as a combined breed.
Crossbreeding System: Crossbreeding systems include everything
from a simple system (e.g. the use of combined breeds, which makes
it as easy as pure breeding) to an extensive rotation system with four
or more breeds.
Different types of crossbreeding systems
1. Two-breed rotation system
2. Three-breed rotation system
3. Two-breed Rotation/Terminal Sire system
4. Two-breed Terminal Sire system
5. Terminal crossings with purchased F1 female animals
6. Rotation of a different breed of bull every 4 years
7. Combined breed crossing
The Bonsmara can be used with confidence in any of these crossbreeding
systems. Combined breeds that were built using 2, 3 or 4
breeds, keep 50%, 67% and 75%, respectively, of the maximum calf
and mother heterosis and improves the production of the cow herd
with 12%, 15% and 17%, respectively. When already using Brahman
x Simmentaler cows, the three-breed combined Bonsmara bull can
certainly be considered to get maximum production improvement.
Die biggest problem with any crossbreeding system is the careful
management and planning of the different breeds to be used. The
biggest advantage that the Bonsmara brings as part of a crossbreeding
system is the ease with which the system can be operated. The
Bonsmara automatically supplies the system with a three-breed
combined animal into the crossbreeding system.