Deel 2 - Brahman Breeders Society of South Africa

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The Brahman’s
UnIQUe TemPeramenT
an asset or
a liability?
- By James Paterson
The Brahman’s temperament is legendary amongst
cattlemen and farmers alike. As with any legend there
is usually a grain of truth thrown in with a handful of
misconceptions.
Perhaps it will be useful
to start with a definition
of temperament as “the
individual character
of one’s physical
constitution permanently affecting
the manner of one’s acting, feeling
and thinking”. From this definition it
is clear that all animals have some
degree of temperament, but what
sets the Brahman apart from the rest
so conspicuously?
There can be no argument that the
Brahman is alert, intelligent and
constantly aware of its surroundings.
It has to be if it is to survive in the
often hostile environment in which it
finds itself. Not only is it aware of its
surroundings, but it is also capable
of finding its way out of dangerous
situations. Once the workers with
Brahman cattle understand this, the
rest follows quite naturally. Where
humans often make a mistake is that
they don’t see the situation from the
animal’s point of view. For instance,
to the mother of a newborn calf, the
approaching man is just as much a
menace to her calf as a threatening
hyena and she will react equally
defensively towards both of them,
even though the man is trying to
help her.
It is true that the Brahman’s
temperament is unique, along
with all the other oddities that set
the Brahman apart from the other
cattle breeds, but that is not to say
that it is all desirable. Indeed , the
Brahman’s unique temperament can
be exploited very profitably by the
observant and careful cattleman.
There is a small percentage,
probably less than 1% of the
Brahman population, (incidentally
most breeds, even the placid dairy
breeds have a similar percentage)
which is temperamentally unsuited
to normal farming conditions and
there is no solution to this problem
other than culling them as soon as
possible (to an abbatoir and not
to another breeder). Apart from
being dangerous to man and cattle
alike, they break up the handling
facilities and unsettle other cattle
in the herd. A nervous disposition
or bad temperament is a defect
in the individual, perhaps even a
whole family, as sure as stringhalt

or a pendulous sheath and must be
eliminated quickly from the national
herd.
The cattleman, who understands
Brahmans and their crosses, will
have adequate handling facilities
for all the normal management and
veterinary practices on the farm.
This would include well constructed
pens, crush, neck clamp, some
form of dipping facility and leading
ramp. These are usually no more
expensive than those found on any
well-planned beef farm, perhaps
more robust and a little higher
though.
The critical thing to remember
when teaching a novice about the
handling of Brahmans is that the
handlers only get one chance to
do the job, eg., if an animal is to be
loaded and is allowed to escape in
the veld, it is usually a waste of time
and very frustrating to get it back
that day for a second attempt at
loading. Whatever is to be done,
must be done the first time and done
well. This means good facilities and
competent men too.
The Brahman responds extremely
well to routine and gentle handling.
Where the management on a
Brahman farm is good, there is
minimal handling of the cattle;
rather the cattle move themselves
and even sort themselves into the
correct groups. Where an animal
does not keep to its routine, be sure
that something is amiss. Either she
has calved or she is sick and has
Chris Venter van Kleinbeef Boerdery
stayed behind; she needs attention!
With clever designing of passages
and gates, it is doubtful whether
any other breed of cattle is easier to
manage on a day to day basis than
the Brahman.
Because Brahmans become accustomed
to a routine, any change in
that routine must be done carefully.
This characteristic of the Brahman
makes it very difficult for strange
people, at unfamiliar times and
places, to handle these cattle and
must have foiled many an attempted
cattle theft. It would be interesting to
watch a rustling party trying to load
a group of Brahman cattle along a
road with only a barbed-wire fence
with which to work.
With gentle handling, it is also
doubtful whether any other breed
becomes quite as tame as the
Brahman. Quite a number of herds
are so used to the herdsmen that
they are routinely tick-greased in
the veld, every animal and almost
any part of them too. But don’t let a
stranger approach them, otherwise
they are off like the wind.
The Brahman cow probably has the
most protective maternal instinct of
all domesticated cattle. This can be
really frustrating to and dangerous
for men trying to work with a cow
and her newborn calf. But it is often
essential to the calf’s survival that its
mother stands her ground against
predators so common in the rugged
areas where Brahmans are found.
You are confined only
by the WALLS
you build yourself.
- Author unknown
The Brahman’s temperament is
legendary amongst cattlemen
and farmers alike. As with any
legend there is usually a grain
of truth thrown in with a handful
of misconceptions.
It has always been a dream of Gerrit
Strydom who work at the moment
in Australia to become a Brahman
Breeder and at the moment he is
working very hard to fulfill his dream.
Photo’s taken by Chantelle Strydom.
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Brahman sTUd Breeder
James PrInsLOO
Brahmans come in
from the cold
Brahman stud breeder James Prinsloo runs a thriving cattle enterprise
on the Mpumalanga highveld where winter temperatures can fall to
-12°C. Known for their resilience to heat and drought, the Brahman of
the Jamica stud prove the commendable adaptability of the breed.
James and his twin 22-year old
sons Janco and Nicola farm
on Rusthoek near Perdekop.
They run a Brahman stud
herd of 250 red and white animals
and other breeds.
James is passionale about the
Brahman breed and bought his first
cow shortly after matriculating in
1980. He stresses the Brahman’s
cross-breeding value, hardiness,
outstanding mother ability and
strong foraging capacity. Brahman
do well in climates ranging from the
hot Bushveld and Karoo to the bitter
cold of the Mpumalanga and Free
State highveld.
“The success of any stud depends
on selection. We select the optimum
beef production and conformation.
Our ideal cow is medium framed
with a strong mouth. A strong mouth
means the animal grazes well. We
look for a feminine head, neck and
face. The cow should be heavier
in the back quarter than in front.”
James sees good udder and teat
placement as crucial. Cows with
bottle teats are culled and poor calf
suckling reflex has been eliminated
from the Jamica herd. Also
known as the dummy or silly calf
syndrome, it describes the lack of
instinctive ability of calves to suckle
purposefully, and left unattended
leads to calf death.
James Prinsloo farms with his twin sons.
Nicolai (left) and Janco (right).
Photos taken by Annelie Coleman
Photo’s Farmer’s Weekly
Nicolai, Helena and James Prinsloo
with a typical Jamica bull. The Jamica
bulls are known for their adaptability,
hardiness and excellent conformation.
Advice to prospective breeders
“Know your breed and familiarise yourself with its diversity and genetic
lines,” says James. “Introduce the best genetics to your herd as quickly
as possible. Tap into the older breeders’ experience. I have learnt a lot
from Tok Serfontein of Potchefstroom, Lano Schlebush of Colesberg, the
late Attie Maré of Pongola and Mike Bentley from winterton.”

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LLeweLLyn & COrrIe LaBUsChagne
r10 OBarO
Stoetveedag
Stud Animal Day
Obaro het op Donderdag 4 Oktober te Letsitele
(plaas van mnr Llewellyn Labuschagne) ‘n
Stoetveedag aangebied. Ongeveer 110 boere
het deelgeneem.
Die sprekers wat opgetree het, is mnr Theo Dicke, mnr
Llewellyn Labuschagne, mnr Jan de Jong (FNB) en mnr
Malcolm Moody (Obaro).
Die doel van die dag was om aan te toon dat ‘n
stoetveeboerderysisteem ekonomies doeltreffend en
winsgewend bestuur kan word.
Klem is gelê op seleksie van manlike en vroulike
diere vir ekonomies belangrike eienskappe. Die
herhaalbaarheid van ekonomiese eienskappe is ook
beklemtoon.
Die dag is afgeskop met ‘n lesing oor die ontstaan van
die Brahmanras deur mnr Theo Dicke en heelwat vrae
is deur die “studente’ gevra.
Mnr Llewellyn Labuschagne het klem gelê op die
seleksie van meerderwaardige teeldiere – manlike,
sowel as vroulik. Tydens die praktiese demonstrasie
is die herhaalbaarheid van meerderwaardige diere
bevestig. Twee van R10 se topteelkoeie is saam met
hul nageslag – manlik en vroulik, vertoon.
Mnr Jan de Jong en mnr Malcolm Moody demonstreer
op ‘n senior bul hoe om vir vleiseienskappe
(slagoskompetisies) te selekteer, om die mees
ekonomiese dier uit te soek vir voerkraalomstandighede.
Hierdie praktiese demonstrasie wat kondisietelling
insluit, asook ‘n balans tussen voor- en
agterkwartbespiering en goeie rugbespiering, waar die
duur vleissnitte geproduseer word, het baie vrae by die
kursusgangers uitgelok.
Die selektering van die funksioneel doeltreffende vroulike
diere, asook die plasing van ‘n groepie skouverse, deur
mnr. T Dicke is met groot belangstelling waargeneem.
‘n Baie kritiese vraag – Wat doen die Brahmanras met
sy sg. swak temperament? – is op ‘n baie praktiese
reguit wyse deur mnr Dicke beantwoord.: Twee geneties
identiese kuddes, word op twee verskillende plase in
On Thursday, 4 October Obaro presented
a Stud Animal Day at Letsitele (farm of Mr
Llewellyn Labuschagne). Approximately 110
farmers participated.
Speakers at this occasion were Mr Theo Dicke, Mr
Llewellyn Labuschagne, Mr Jan de Jong (FNB) and Mr
Malcolm Moody (Obaro).
With this initiative the organisers aimed at illustrating
that a stud animal farming system could be managed
efficiently and economically.
The focus fell on selection of male and female animals
for economically important characteristics. The
repeatability of economically important characteristics
was also stressed.
The day kick-started with a lecture on the origin of the
Brahman breed by Mr Theo Dicke and many questions
were asked by the “students”.
Mr Llewellyn Labuschagne stressed the importance
of selecting superior breeding animals – male, as
well as female. During the practical demonstration the
repeatability of superior animals was confirmed. Two of
R10’s top breeding cows, together with their progeny–
male and female, were exhibited.
Messrs Jan de Jong and Malcolm Moody demonstrated
on a senior bull how to select for meat characteristics
(slaughter ox competitions) to pick the most economical
bull for feedlot circumstances. This practical
demonstration that includes condition count, as well as
a balance between fore- and hindquarter muscling and
good back muscling where the expensive meat cuts
are produced, elicited many questions from the course
attendants.
The selection of the functionally efficient female animals,
as well as the placing of a group of show heifers by Mr T
Dicke was observed with great interest.
A very critical question: ”What does the Brahman
breed do with its so called weak temperament?” was
answered in a very practical and frank way by Mr Dicke:
Two genetically identical herds are managed on two
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Mnr L Labuschagne beantwoord vrae/ Mr L Labuschagne answers questions
Jan de Jong, verduidelik hoe om bespiering
waar te neem/ Jan de Jong explains how to
observe muscling
verskillende omstandighede en kraalfasiliteite bestuur.
Die een groep met goeie kraalfasiliteite wat gereeld
gesien en hanteer word, sal maklik deur ‘n vreemde
persoon hanteer kan word. Die ander groep, wat
baie selde hanteer word, met swak kraalfasiliteite, sal
bykans onmoontlik deur ‘n vreemde persoon hanteer of
bymekaar gemaak kan word. Diere met aanhoudende
swak gedrag en temperament moet geslag word.
Mev Corrie Labuschagne het ‘n baie volledige
bestuursprogram t.o.v. voeding, medikasie en
algemene bestuur in ‘n embrio-program hanteer.
Embrio-ontvangers met hul kalwers is vertoon. Hier is
Theo Dicke
Mnr R Munger (Botswana)
lewer kommentaar op ‘n vraag/
Mr R Munger (Botswana) gives
comment on a question
different farms in different circumstances and kraal
facilities. The group with good kraal facilities that is
seen and handled regularly, will be easily handled by
a stranger, whereas it is virtually impossible that the
group that is very rarely handled and with poor kraal
facilities will be handled or rounded up by someone
unknown to them. Animals with persistent poor
behaviour and temperament must be slaughtered.
Mrs Corrie Labuschagne conducted a very
comprehensive management programme in respect
of nutrition, medication and general management in
an embryo programme. Embryo recipients with their

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ook vrae gevra oor tipe ontvangers, ouderdom van die
ontvangers en voeding.
Mnr Francois de Chalain van Taltec het ‘n praktiese
demonstrasie gegee oor die brand en onthoring van
kalwers.
Verskeie buiteluguitstallings is gedoen wat direk/
indirek by stoetboerdery betrokke is.
Natuurlik was die alombekende Daan Swan van Bayer
en sy bestuurspan ook teenwoordig met hul praktiese
raad en middels.
ANDER DIEREGESONDHEIDSMAATSKAPPYE
WAT OOK UITGESTAL HET, WAS:
Bayer Health Care, Pfizer – dieregesondheid, SWAvet,
Virbac, Merial – Mnr Frans du Preez.
ANDER DEELNEMERS:
Taltec, Afgate (Transvaal Gate), Gallagher, Regal,
Rural Fire Rescue, Franklin Electric, Klomac, Driehoek
Voere, OBARO.
Hierdie was die hoogtepunt in Obaro se 2012
program van boeredae wat op verskeie plekke vir die
opkomende boeresektor gehou was.
Die Brahmangenootskap bedank Obaro dat die
Brahmanras by so ‘n geleentheid betrokke kon wees.
It is a common habit for many people to peel off
the tiny white fibres attached to an orange before
they enjoy the fruit.
In truth, these tiny white fibres are full of flavonoids
- a necessary ingredient for the prevention of
heart disease.
So make sure you keep those tiny white fibres on
when you savour your next orange.
calves were exhibited. Questions were also asked on
types of recipients, age of recipients and nutrition.
Mr Francois de Chalain from Taltec gave a practical
demonstration on the branding and dehorning of
calves.
There were different outdoor displays that are directly
or indirectly involved with stud farming.
Of course the well known Daan Swan of Bayer and
his management team were also present with their
practical advice and remedies.
OTHER ANIMAL HEALTH COMPANIES THAT ALSO
EXHIBITED, WERE:
Bayer Health Care, Pfizer Animal Health, SWAvet,
Virbac, Merial - Mr Frans du Preez.
OTHER PARTICIPANTS:
Taltec, Afgate (Transvaal Gate), Gallagher, Regal,
Rural Fire Rescue, Franklin Electric, Klomac, Driehoek-
Voere, OBARO.
This was a highlight in Obaro’s 2012 programme of
farmers’ days that had been held at different places
for the farmers’ sector, rising farmers’ sector.
The Brahman Society wish to thank Obaro that the
Brahman breed could be involved in such an occasion.
Orange fibres
good for your heart

VOedIng/Feed
mOrVeT
Feeding, Trace-mineral Supplementation and Internal
Parasite Control after the Winter Season
Voeding, Spoormineraal aanvulling en Interne parasiet
beheer na die Winter seisoen
- Drs. S.O. Becker & G.M. Ferreira • Veeartse/Veterinarians • POTCHEFSTROOM • Tel: (018) 285 1156
Sel: 079 961 5651 • Posbus 6020 • Baillie Park 2526 • Hadeda Landgoed Hoewe 230 Vyfhoek
Why are feeding, trace-mineral supplementation
and internal parasite control necessary
after the winter season for meat-cattle?
• During June/July most calves are already weaned
and the cows have to be pregnant after the next
breeding season.
• The aim is to increase the condition (fat-reserves) of
cows so that they can be at a condition-score of at
least 3 on a scale of 1-5, 2 months before they calve
down, so that they calve with a condition-score of
about 3,5.
• June to September are important months for the
heavily pregnant cow because the veld quantity and
quality are not as they should be because of the
ripening of the grass from the prior growth season.
• Bad quality roughage from the veld or crop residues
without any supplementation is not sufficient to keep
the large-stomach microbes (organisms that help
with digestion) going. They are vital in the ruminant’s
large-stomach to break down the plant-cellulose,
and in so doing, making energy available to the cow.
They are also an important source of the best quality
bypass-protein for the cow. These are proteins which
bypass the digestion-process in the large stomach
and are directly absorbed in the small-intestine of
the cow/sheep. The foetus also needs sufficient and
good quality protein and energy to develop.
• The unborn foetus reaches almost 80% of its birthmass
during the last trimester of the pregnancy and
needs sufficient nutrition to reach this mass. We want
a strong calf at birth that gets up quickly and quickly
(preferably not longer than two hours after birth)
takes in enough (as close as possible to two litres)
good quality (high in antibodies, free from mastitis
bacteria) colostrum. The colostrum quality, volume
and time of intake are extremely important for the
development of the calf’s immune system. The
calves, who take in enough good-quality colostrum
Hoekom is voeding, spoormineraal aanvulling
en interne parasiet beheer noodsaaklik na die
winter seisoen in vleisbeeste?
• Gedurende Junie /Julie maand is meeste van die
kalwers in vleisbees kuddes reeds gespeen en
moet die koeie reeds weer dragtig wees na die
dekseisoen van Desember- tot Februarie maand.
• Die doelwit is nou dat die dragtige koeie se kondisie
(vetreserwes) opgebou moet word sodat hulle op ‘n
kondisie telling van minstens 3 op ‘n skaal van 1-5
sal wees teen 2 maande voordat sy moet kalf, sodat
sy kan kalf met ‘n kondisie telling van ongeveer 3,5.
• Vanaf Junie tot September is belangrike maande vir
die swaar dragtige koei omdat die veld se kwantiteit
asook kwaliteit meestal nie altyd na wense is nie agv
die rypwordingsproses van die gras van die vorige
groei seisoen.
• Swak kwaliteit ruvoer vanaf veld- of oesreste
sonder enige aanvullings, is nie voldoende om die
grootpens mikrobe (organismes wat help met die
vertering) aan die gang te hou nie. Hulle is uiters
belangrik in die herkouer se grootpens om die
plant sellulose af te breek en om sodoende energie
aan die bees beskikbaar te stel. Hulle is self ook
’n baie belangrikke bron van die beste kwaliteit
verbyvloei proteïn vir die koei. Dit is proteïne wat die
verteringsproses in die grootpens vry spring en direk
in die dunderm van die bees / skaap opgeneem
word. Die fetus benodig ook voldoende en goeie
kwaliteit proteïn en energie om te ontwikkel.
• Die ongebore fetus behaal bykans 80% van sy
geboorte massa tydens die laaste derde van
dragtigheid en het voldoende voedingsstowwe
nodig om dit te bereik. Ons soek ‘n sterk kalf by
geboorte wat vinnig opstaan en vinnig (verkieslik
nie langer as 2 uur na geboorte) genoeg (so na
as moontlik aan 2 liter) goeie kwaliteit (hoog in
teenliggame, vry van mastitis bakterie, ens) bies
inneem. Die bies kwaliteit, volume en tyd van inname
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at the right time, are just more resistant against
illnesses like calf-diarrhoea, pneumonia, umbilical
cord-infection and joint infection.
• The cow has to have enough energy, protein and
trace-mineral reserves to ensure that the correct
amount and quality of colostrum is produced.
She must also have enough energy to assure that
calving can take place quickly and effectively.
Cows with an energy-shortage become tired of
pushing during calving that leads to a lengthened
calving. A lengthened calving leads to stillborn and
weak calves in many instances. We also want the
cow to be strong and lively enough after calving to
deter problem-animals (jackals) from her calf and
herself.
• If the cow LOSES condition in the months before
she calves down, the following happens:
1. She breaks down reserves (fat) to provide for her
energy needs (therefore she loses condition).
2. The products of the fat that are broken down,
will affect the young developing egg cells
negatively for the next breading season, which
must be ovulated 3-4 months later. Cows that
lose condition before calving have reduced
conception in the following breeding season
and only become pregnant later, or not at all
– in spite of the fact that their condition-score
at that stage (during insemination) might be
acceptable (condition-score of no less than
2.5).
3. Broken down products of fat are poisonous and
must be cleaned by the liver, which leads to fatinfiltration
of this organ. A damaged liver cannot
produce enough glucose for adequate milkproduction,
and therefore it leads to weak growth
in the calves. The liver needs necessary traceminerals
like Magnesium (Mg), Copper (Cu) and
Selenium (Se) to let the processes of energyproduction
from fat, as well as the formation of
antibodies that are excreted in colostrum, take
place. A liver damaged by parasites such as
Liver fluke will further influence the functions of
the liver negatively.
4. The mother gets tired more quickly whilst
calving, and there is the possibility of stillborn
calves.
5. The volume and quality of the colostrum is
insufficient for the new-born-calf, the calf is
sometimes too weak to drink the colostrum, and
this causes an increase in calves that are ill and
at high risk to disease.
• It is therefore essential that the cow reaches her
target-condition 2 months BEFORE her due date,
and that it stays constant over this time.
• Many farmers are under die impression that the
sufficient feeding of the cow will lead to overgrown
foetuses and difficult births. This is untrue.
• It is quite the opposite, because if cows are in bad
condition just before giving birth, and farmers want
to hastily improve this by an increased feeding
level, the calf could be large at birth, and this could
cause calving complications.
• Cows that are too fat eat less and break down more
fat, which can lead to liver-damage and they will
also have more difficulty calving. Fat-accumulation
is uiters belangrik vir die ontwikkeling van die kalf
se immuunstelsel. Die kalwers wat op die regte tyd,
voldoende goeie kwaliteit bies ingeneem het, is net
meer weerstandig teen siektes soos kalf diaree,
longontsteking, naelstring ontsteking en gewrig
ontsteking.
• Die koei moet voldoende energie, proteïn en
spoormineraal reserwes hê om te verseker dat
die hoeveelheid en kwaliteit bies geproduseer
word, ook moet sy genoeg energie hê sodat die
kalwingsproses vinnig en doeltreffend sal kan
plaasvind. Koeie met energie tekort kan moeg
raak om te druk tydens die kalwingsproses en dit
lei tot ‘n verlengde kalwingsproses. ‘n Verlengde
kalwingsproses lei in baie gevalle tot dood en swak
gebore kalwers. Ons wil ook hê die koei moet sterk
en lewendig genoeg wees na kalwing om probleem
diere(jakkalse) te verwilder vanaf haar en die kalf.
• As die koei kondisie VERLOOR in die maande
voordat sy moet kalf gebeur die volgende: -
1. Sy breek liggaamsreserwes (vet) af om aan
haar energiebehoefte te voorsien (dus verloor
sy kondisie)
2. Die afbraakprodukte van die vet wat afgebreek
word, sal die jong ontwikkellende eierselle vir
die volgende teelseisoen, nadelig affekteer
wat in ontwikkeling is en wat 3-4 maande later
geovuleer moet word tydens die volgende
teelseisoen. Koeie wat kondisie voor kalwing
verloor, se daaropvolgende konsepsie syfers
vroeg in die volgende teelseisoen, is swak en
hulle raak eers later beset of glad nie – ten
spyte van die feit dat hulle kondisie telling op
daardie stadium (tydens dekking) aanvaarbaar
mag wees (kondisie telling van nie minder as
2,5)
3. Afbraakprodukte van vet is giftig en moet
deur die lewer ontgif word, wat tot vetinfiltrasie
van hierdie orgaan lei. ‘n Beskadigde lewer
kan nie voldoende glukose maak vir genoeg
melkproduksie nie, en so lei dit tot swak groei van
die kalwers. Die lewer benodig noodsaaklikke
spoor minerale soos Magnesium (Mg), Koper
(Cu) en Selenium (Se) om die proses van
energievorming vanuit vet, asook die vorming
van teenliggame wat in die biesmelk uitgeskei
word te kan laat plaasvind. ‘n Beskadigde
lewer deur parasiete soos Lewerslak sal die
noodsaaklikke funkies van die lewer net verder
nadelig beinvloed.
4. Die moeder raak gouer moeg tydens kalwing
met moontlike kalf verliese.
5. Die volume en kwaliteit van die kolostrum (biesmelk)
is te min en van swak gehalte vir die
pasgebore kalf, die kalf is soms te swak om bies
te suip, met siek en hoogs vatbare kalwers vir
verskeie siekte toestande tot gevolg.
• Dit is dus essensieël dat die koei haar teikenkondisie
al 2 maande VOOR verwagte kalwing bereik en dat
dit konstant sal bly oor daardie tyd
• Baie boere verkeer onder die indruk dat voldoende
voeding van die koei sal lei tot oorgroot fetusse en
tot moeilike geboortes. Dit is onwaar.
• Inteendeel, as koeie met swak kondisie kort voor
kalwing, haastig deur ‘n verhoogde voedingsvlak
verbeter wil word, dan sal die kalf groot wees by

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can also take place in the birth-channel, and can
lead to calving problems. It is often seen in cows
that did not calve the previous year, and because
pregnancy check-ups are not done, the animals
are not culled.
What can the farmer do to prevent these problems?
• The best quality and most palatable feed must be
made available to the cow. She now eats about 2.5-
3.0% of her body-mass (dry matter).
• Supplementary feeding of hay is necessary if the
veld can no longer provide quantity and quality dry
material.
• The farmer must remember that the quality of the
grass decreases because of the ripening process
and that there are tannic acids, tannins and resins
in grass which also limit the nutritional value and
available protein, and therefore decrease the
protein available to the animal. It is necessary, if the
farmer is aware of limitations in his feed, to make use
of supplements like Browse Plus during that time. It
will help to break down proteins present in the feed,
and therefore more protein is made available to the
cow because the protein/tannic acid bond in the
grass is broken down by this product.
• Supplementary licks are always necessary. A
protein lick on the veld to improve the digestion
of the grass is necessary. In many instances a
production lick is preferable. No more than 2kg
of such a lick should be ingested, or it could lead
to expensive replacement feed. Monitor the lickintake
to make sure that the suggested intake is not
exceeded. Excessive intake of lick containing urea
will be poisonous and will cause death. Remember,
if the intake of urea is very high, but does not lead
to death, the developing egg cell’s quality will be
compromised and it will decrease conceptions at
the beginning of the following breeding season.
Excessive intake of lick is a sign that the cows are
hungry because they can no longer ingest enough
dry matter from the veld or crop-residues.
• The strategic supplementation of necessary traceminerals
with a product like Multimin is of cardinal
importance. I always suggest to my clients that
they inject animals 4 weeks before the start of
the breeding season, 4 weeks before calving
and 4 weeks after calving. I also suggest tracemineral
supplementation 4 weeks before the start
of the annual inoculation-programme. In doing so
we supplement the minerals to help the animal’s
liver-functions during these times, when stress
on this organ is at its highest, when good-quality
colostrum must be produced and when the next
egg cell must be produced. The injectable tracemineral
(Multimin) cannot replace minerals in the
lick, but it supplements the levels because the
trace-minerals’ absorption is antagonised by other
minerals like Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Sulphur (S)
and Molybdenum (Mo) which are normally present
in normal lick, feed, water and soil.
Lastly, cows must be treated against roundworm and
liver fluke – where applicable. It is often just accepted
that adult cows have an immunity against roundworm
geboorte en kan dit lei tot kalwingsprobleme.
• Te vet koeie vreet minder en breek meer vet af, wat
kan lei tot lewerskade en hulle sal ook moeiliker
kalf. Vetophoping kan ook in die geboortekanaal
plaasvind met kalwingsprobleme tot gevolg.
Dit word baie keer gesien by koeie wat nie die
vorige jaar gekalf het nie en omdat daar nie
dragtigheidsondersoeke gedoen word nie, word
die diere nie uitgeskot nie.
Wat kan die boer doen om hierdie probleme te
voorkom?
• Die beste kwaliteit en smaaklikste weiding moet
aan die koei beskikbaar gestel word. Sy vreet nou
ongeveer 2.5-3.0% van haar liggaamsmassa (op ‘n
vogvrye basis).
• Aanvullende voeding met hooi is noodsaaklik as
die veld nie meer genoeg en van goeie gehalte
droë materiaal kan voorsien nie.
• Die boer moet onthou dat die kwaliteit van die gras
verlaag agv die rypwordingsproses en dat daar
looisure, tanniene en harse in grasse is wat ook
die voedingswaarde en die beskikbare proteïne
beperk en sodoende die beskikbare proteïn vir die
dier verlaag. Dit is noodsaaklik, om as die boer
weet van die beperkings in sy voeding, om gebruik
te maak van hulpmiddels soos Browse Plus
gedurende die tyd. Dit sal help om die gebonde
proteïn wat in die veld teenwoordig is af te breek
en sodoende word meer proteïn beskikbaar gestel
vir die bees deurdat die proteïn / looisuur binding
in die gras afgebreek word deur die produk.
• Aanvullende lekke is altyd noodsaaklik. ‘n Proteïn
lek in die suurveld om die verteerbaarheid van die
gras te verbeter is noodsaaklik. In baie gevalle is
‘n produksie lek aangewese. Nie meer as 2kg van
so ‘n lek moet per dag ingeneem word nie anders
lei dit tot duur vervangingsvoeding. Moniteer die
lekinname om seker te maak dat die aanbevole
inname nie oorskrei word nie. Te veel lekinname
van ‘n ureum-bevattende lek sal vergiftiging en
vrekte tot gevolg hê. Onthou dat indien die ureum
inname baie hoog is, maar nie tot vrekte lei nie, sal
die ontwikkellende eiersel se kwaliteit benadeel
word en sal dit konsepsie aan die begin van die
volgende teelseisoen verlaag. Te veel lekinname
is ‘n teken dat die koeie honger is omdat hulle
nie meer genoeg droë materiaal vanaf die veld of
oesreste kan inneem nie.
• Die strategiese aanvulling van die noodsaaklike
spoorminerale met ‘n produk soos Multimin is
van kardinale belang. Ek beveel altyd my kliënte
aan om die diere te spuit 4 weke voor die begin
van die teelseisoen, 4 weke voor kalwing en 4
weke na kalwing. Ek beveel ook spoormineraal
aanvulling aan 4 weke voor die begin van die
jaarlikse inentingsprogram. Sodoende vul ons
die minerale aan om die dier se lewer funksies
te help om gedurende die tye, wanneer die stres
op die orgaan op sy hoogste is, wanneer goeie
kwaliteit bies gevorm moet word en wanneer die
volgende eisel gevorm moet word. Die inspuitbare
spoormineraal (Multimin) kan nie die minerale in
die lek vervang nie maar dit vul die vlakke aan
omdat die spoor minerale se opname deur die
bek teengewerk (antagoniseer) word deur ander
minerale soos Kalsium (Ca), Yster (Fe), Swael (S)
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and do not need to be dewormed. When close to
calving, animals’ immunities weaken and roundworms
can become a problem. Recent tests showed that
cows are also stressed during the weaning of calves,
droughts, weak feeding and with increased rainy and
wet conditions. The numbers of internal parasites also
increase immensely in cows in the stressful times. A
weight-gain of 38,8 kg more was achieved in postweaned
calves that were dewormed, as opposed to
calves that were not dewormed, and at the same time
50% more heifers came on heat earlier as opposed
to the untreated group of heifers. Eradication of
the internal parasite after the winter also helps to
decrease the stress on the animals and they therefore
get to the target condition-score sooner. Injectable
endectocides are also a big help in winter, especially
against bloodsucking lice which can be problematic
in winter, as well as against Blue-tick contamination
which can cause problems like Redwater and Gall
Sickness in spring.
• Remember that no liver fluke remedy has a residual
effectiveness, and that re-contamination is already
possible in swamp-lands, near water like dams
and leaking water troughs the very next day. The
use of a product which will ensure that the juvenile
parasites (2 weeks of age) are killed as early as
possible is of great importance to keep permanent
liver damage to a minimum. It would be ideal that,
when the animals have been treated with such a
product, they be moved to a clean camp, where
there is no possibility of contamination, and then
to deworm the animals again 14 days later to then
kill the earliest stage of the parasite, which were
not present in the liver during the first dosage, but
somewhere in the stomach-cavity (between the
small intestine and the liver) in search of the liver.
• The problem of internal parasites (roundworm)
causing great losses during the coming summer
because of a great deal of underground moisture
present, that promotes the hatching of the previous
season’s worm eggs as soon as the environmental
temperature increases slightly.
• Make sure that animals’ annual inoculations against
bacterial infections like the Black Quarter bacterial
group is on schedule, as supplements such as
Browse Plus, Multimin injections, internal parasite
control and nutritious feed can lead to animals
showing weight-gain, which can lead to illnesses
like Black Quarter.
The condition-principles, parasite-control and tracemineral
supplements are also applicable to milk cows
which means that the cow must not lose or noticeably
gain condition during the dry period. Special grouping
and feeding in milk cows during the last 21 days
before giving birth is of critical importance to prevent
problems like sub-clinical and clinical calcium (milkfever)
shortages, magnesium (Mg) and ketosis and to
assure the maximum level in milk at 100 days.
en Molibdeen (Mo) wat gewoonlik in lek, normale
weidings, water en grond teenwoordig is.
Laastens moet koeie teen rondewurm & lewerslak
behandel word - waar van toepassing. Dikwels
word net eenvoudig aanvaar dat volwasse beeste
genoeg immuniteit teen rondewurms het en nie
ontwurm hoef te word nie. Naby kalwing verswak die
diere se immuniteit en kan rondewurms ‘n probleem
wees. Onlangse proewe het getoon dat beeste ook
onder stress verkeer gedurende speen van kalwers,
droogtetoestande, swak voeding en met verhoogde
reën en nat toestande. Die interne parasiet getalle
het ook noemenswaardig verhoog in die beeste
gedurende die stressvolle tye. ’n Gewigstoename van
38,8 kg meer is verkry in na-speen verse, wat ontwurm
was, teenoor verse wat nie ontwurm was nie, terselfde
tyd het 50% meer verse vroeër op hitte gekom teenoor
die onbehandelde groep verse. Verwydering van
die interne parasiete na die winter help ook om die
stress op die diere te verlaag en sodoende hulle te
help om gouer op die teiken kondisie telling te kom.
Inspuitbare endektosiete is ook van groot hulp in
die winter veral teen bloedsuipende luise wat in die
winter problematies kan wees asook teen die vroeë
Bloubosluis besmetting wat in die lente probleme soos
Rooiwater en Galsiekte kan veroorsaak.
• Onthou dat geen lewerslak middel ’n residuele
werking (nawerkings tyd) het nie en dat
herbesmetting soos op vleikampe, by oopwaters
soos grond damme, lekkende krippe die volgende
dag reeds moontlik is. Die gebruik van ‘n produk
wat sal verseker dat die onvolwasse parasiete so
vroeg moontlik (2 weke ouderdom) doodgemaak
word, is van groot belang om die permanente
skade wat aan die lewer aangerig word, te beperk
tot ‘n minimum. Dit sal ideaal wees dat as die diere
met sodanige produk behandel word, daarna die
beeste geskuif word na ‘n “skoon” kamp, waar
daar nie die besmettings moontlikheid bestaan nie
en dan 14 dae later die diere weer te ontwurm om
sodoende die vroegste stadium van die parasiet
te dood, wat tydens die eerste dosering nie in die
lewer was nie, maar êrens in die buikholte (tussen
die dunderm en die lewer) op soek na die lewer.
• Die probleem van interne parasiete (rondewurms)
gaan die naderende somer groot verliese
veroorsaak omdat daar tans baie ondergrondse
vog teenwoordig is wat die uitbroei van die vorige
seisoen se wurm eiers gaan bevorder sodra die
omgewingstemperatuur net effe verhoog.
• Maak seker dat die diere se jaarlikse inentings teen
die bakteriese siektes, soos die Sponssiekte groep
bakterie, op datum is want die hulpmiddels soos
Browse Plus, Multimin inspuitings, interne parasiet
beheer saam met verbeterde voeding kan lei dat
die diere ‘n gewigstoename gaan toon en dit kan
lei tot siektes soos Sponssiekte.
Die kondisie beginsels, parasiet beheer en
spoormineraalaanvullings geld ook vir suiwelkoeie
wat beteken dat die koei nie kondisie mag verloor of
betekenisvol toeneem tydens die droë periode nie.
Spesiale groepering en voeding tydens die laaste 21
dae voor kalwing in suiwelkoeie is van kritiese belang
om metaboliese probleme soos sub-kliniese en
kliniese kalsium (melkkoors) tekorte, magnesium (Mg)
en ketose te voorkom en om die maksimum besetting
teen 100 dae in melk te verseker.

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weersTandIgheIds-
OnTwIKKeLIng
van nematodes
of wurms
- Pierre van Niekerk • pierrevn@telkomsa.net • www.scorpiondip.co.za
Tel 012 667 4755/082 220 8386
Inleiding
1. Die ekonomiese impak van wurmgroepe word nie
hier beskrywe nie.
2. Ook nie die impak van die toksiene wat die
verskillende nematodes in hul speeksel afskei
tydens parasitering in hul gasheer nie.
3. Dit beskrywe ook nie die gevolge en redes waarom
geínfekteerde dier se immunologiese respons
verstadig is en of word nie.
4. Dit beskryf ook nie die redes waarom ‘n verswakte
immunologiese sisteem by geïnfekteerde diere,
nie van hulp is om bosluisgedraagde siektes soos
rooiwater, hartwater en galsiekte natuurlik te help
onderdruk nie.
5. Die beskrywe ook nie watter invloed ‘n behoorlike
beplande weidingstrategie het wat die groeiaspekte
(fenologiese kurwe) van die kamp of
weiveld in weidingstrategie in ag neem, teenoor die
lewenssiklusse van die groepe wurms op ‘n plaas
gevind en, die klimatologiese faktore wat ‘n rol mag
speel in beide die wurmsgroepe en die weiding se
seisoenale groei en veld herstel.
Hipotese
Die rol van die klimaatsfaktore, die tipe wurmparasiet,
die lewenssiklus, tydsduur en ontwikkeling van die
verskillende wurmsoorte se unieke vermoë om in arres
te gaan in bepaalde veranderlike omstandigheid en,
die effektiwiteit van chemiese middels waarmee beheer
plaasvind, moet vooraf vasgestel word voordat enige
chemiese middels toegedien word.
Wurmparasiete van ekonomiese belang word vir die
vee- en wildboer in 3 hoofgroepe onderskei.
Dit is:
1. Nematodes
2. Trematodes
3. Sestodes
Daar is in die groepe wurmparasiete verskillende
maniere waarop die wurmgroepe hul gasheer se
liggaam binnedring, asook verskillende meganiese
metodes van parasitering demonstreer.
Dit is gewoon dat die verantwoordelike vee- en
wildprodusent sal uitklaar watter wurmspesie is ‘n
probleem op sy plaas, sodat daar kundig vasgestel kan
word met watter wurm moet daar kundig mee gewerk
word.
Die ingeligte toediening van middels behoort in ‘n groot
mate tot effektiewe beheer en minimum toedienings
te lei, wat op hul beurt weer weerstandigheid en
kruisweerstandigheid tussen chemiese groepe in ‘n
groot mate voorkom.
As voorbeeld kan daar na trematodes verwys word.
Lewerslakwurms, naamlik die “reuse lewerslakwurm”,
en die “gewone lewerslakwurm” asook die “peervormige
maagslak” sal baie moeilik by enige beheerprogram
van rondewurms en lintwurms ingesluit kan word.
Dit dui op verskillende behandelings op verskillende tye
met verskillende aktiewe middels waar ook onnodige
blootstelling en kruisweerstandigheid verhoed moet
word.