Bonsmara Cattle

Bonsmara is a cattle breed that was developed in South Africa for beef production.

The name “Bonsmara” comes from “Bonsma,” the scientist who led the breeding program, and “Mara,” the farm where the breeding took place.

This breed was developed because, before World War II, farmers in the Transvaal and Natal regions needed a breed that could grow well in the hot climate. The local Afrikaner cattle adapted well to the heat but grew slowly and did not reproduce regularly.

The Department of Agriculture decided to start a program to test different crossbreeds at Mara and Messina farms.

They crossed Afrikaner cows with bulls from five British breeds, but the best-performing ones were Hereford and Shorthorn.

The Bonsmara breed eventually contained 5/8 Afrikaner and 3/8 Hereford or Shorthorn.

As more farmers saw the benefits of Bonsmara cattle, the breed quickly grew in popularity. More than 87,400 registered Bonsmara cows are now performance-tested and approved.

Bonsmara calves make up 45% of all beef breed births in South Africa and It became the most common beef breed in the country within 25 years.

Studies show that Bonsmaras improve weaning weights, calving rates, and adaptability to different environments.

Characteristics

Color

The Bonsmara cow has a solid red coat with slight variations in shade.

Overall Body

Its head is medium-sized with a broad forehead and well-developed muzzle. The body is deep, muscular, and well-balanced while its legs are strong and sturdy.

Well-adapted Bonsmara cattle have pigmented eyes, udders, and hooves for sun protection.

Horns

This cattle breed is polled.

Size

This cattle has a medium to large size, with bulls having an average wither height of 271 lbs (123 cm) and cows 264 lbs (119.8 cm).

Lifespan

Bonsmara cattle have a lifespan of 12 to 20 years. The actual lifespan depends on various factors such as genetics, environment, nutrition, and management. When well cared for and fed a nutritious diet, they can live a long life.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

Bonsmara cattle grow fast, which is one of the main reasons why farmers like to raise them for beef production.

When raised under good management, crossbred Bonsmara calves usually reach a weaning weight of 430 lbs (195 kg) at 240 days old, which is about 20% more than their parent breeds.

Studies show that Bonsmara steers in feedlots grow 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) more per day, reach a slaughter weight of 123 lbs (56 kg) more, and produce carcasses 88 lbs (40 kg) heavier than those raised on natural pastures. They also have a 2% higher dressing percentage.

Other research shows that Bonsmara calves are heavier at birth and gain weight faster than breeds like Brangus.

Weight

Adult bulls weigh between 1,764 to 2,205 lbs (800 to 1,000 kg), while cows range from 1,102 to 1,543 lbs (500 to 700 kg).

At birth, the average weight of a male is 82 lbs (37 kg), while a female weighs 77 lbs (35 kg).

At 305 days, the weight is around 500 lbs (227 kg) for males and 474 lbs (215 kg) for females.

The female also weighs 569 lbs (258 kg) at 365 days and 717 lbs (325 kg) at 540 days.

Slaughter Time

If you raise this cattle in a feedlot system, you can slaughter it between 18 to 24 months. At this age, it weighs around 992 to 1,102 lbs (450 to 500 kg). The dressing percentage of the cattle is 60%.

If you have a grass-fed system, you should wait for slaughter until around 24 to 30 months, as grass-fed cattle take longer to reach the desired weight.

Temperament

This breed is known for its gentle temperament, making it suitable for farm work. They are calm and easy to handle, as long as they are raised in a good environment.

These cattle can adjust well to different farming systems. Bulls can sometimes be protective, but they do not become dangerous if handled with patience.

Many farmers prefer them because they stay relaxed when moved or given medical treatment. Good handling practices help them stay comfortable and healthy.

Meat

Bonsmara cattle produce high-quality beef that is lean, tender, and flavorful. Their meat has a good texture and a natural beefy taste.

The marbling is moderate, but the texture is still softer than meat from other breeds. It is often used in steaks, roasts, and ground beef.

Bonsmara beef is valued in both local and international markets for its high protein content, great taste, and quality texture.

Raising

Feeding and Environment

The Bonsmara cattle breed does well in all feedlot systems, but it can also be raised free on pasture with only grass feeding.

If you want them to grow faster, you should choose to raise them in a feedlot system because this allows you to feed them a balanced diet with the right amount of energy, protein, and fiber.

You can give them a mix of grain-based feed like corn, barley, or wheat, along with protein sources such as soybean meal or cottonseed meal. Adding forage like hay and silage helps with digestion, and including minerals and vitamins supports their overall health.

Besides providing food, you should monitor their daily intake to ensure they eat enough and stay in good condition. Their body weight will give you an idea of whether they are overeating or not getting enough food.

Monitoring their diet is important because overfeeding can affect their health and fitness, while underfeeding can lower libido and reduce semen quality.

In a pasture system on a grass-fed diet, they need to graze on fresh grass throughout the day. To prepare the pasture, you should plant native grasses like ryegrass, clover, and fescue, along with legumes like alfalfa for added protein. During seasons when fresh grass is unavailable, you should feed them hay or silage.

To keep them healthy, you should rotate pastures to give the grass time to regrow and provide mineral blocks and salt to meet their nutritional needs.

Since they do not get grains, grass-fed cattle grow more slowly than those in a feedlot.

No matter which system you use, you must always provide them with fresh water.

Climate

Since they were developed in South Africa from African cattle, Bonsmara cattle do well in hot, dry, and humid climates, so you can raise them in subtropical and tropical regions without concerns.

You can also raise them in moderate climates, but if you live in a colder region, you should consider another breed. Although they can tolerate cold weather, they become stressed by freezing temperatures, which can affect their health.

Shelter

They are hardy and can live outdoors year-round if they have natural protection like trees, hills, or windbreaks.

You should provide shelter in moderate climates, where temperatures can drop or heavy rain and snow may occur.

In hot climates, you need to make sure they have trees or artificial structures to prevent heat stress.

How many acres per head of cattle?

In regions with high-quality forage and favorable climate conditions, the common stocking rate is one cow-calf pair per 2 to 2.5 acres. In arid or less fertile areas, stocking rates may be as low as one cow per 10 acres.

You should practice rotational grazing to allow pastures to recover by giving plants time to regrow. Rest periods should match rainfall and veld type. In some areas, a long rest period every three years helps improve plant health and grazing quality.

Grazing too often reduces plant growth, while not grazing at all can lead to overgrown dry matter, which lowers seed production. Ideally, pastures should be grazed 1 to 3 times per season and allowed to rest properly to maintain productivity.

Breeding

Bonsmara cattle are highly fertile, with heifers ready for breeding at 24 months and expected to have their first calf before 35 months.

They become sexually mature at 12 to 18 months, but you should wait until 24 months before the first breeding to ensure they are mature enough to carry the pregnancy.

Heifers should be 60–65% of their mature weight before breeding. In medium-frame cattle, this means around 660–715 lbs (300–325 kg).

They can be bred naturally or through artificial insemination (AI). For natural breeding, select a fertile, strong bull with proven genetics and ensure the cow is healthy. For AI, choose a certified bull, monitor the heat cycle, and work with a trained technician.

The pregnancy period for Bonsmara cows lasts about 9 months (280–290 days).

They give birth easily, with minimal help needed, but young heifers should be watched. These cows are great mothers, providing good protection and enough milk for their calves.

Here is a Cattle Gestation Calculator

Breeding Season

This is important because if you breed too late, calves will be smaller at weaning since they miss the peak milk production period. On the other hand, if you breed too early, cows may not have enough nutrition after calving.

The best approach is to set a breeding season. Breeding should start about three months after the highest rainfall, ensuring cows reach peak fertility when pastures are at their best. The ideal breeding season is 65 days for cows and 45 days for heifers, allowing them to calve at the same time each year.

Breeding year-round can cause problems such as poor use of summer grazing, higher winter feed costs, difficulty in selecting fertile cows, and increased vet costs due to more frequent checks.

Terminal vs. Maternal

Bonsmara cattle have both maternal and terminal traits.

As a maternal breed, Bonsmara cows are fertile, calve easily, and take good care of their young. Their strong milk production helps calves grow quickly and stay healthy before weaning.

As a terminal breed, Bonsmara cattle grow fast and produce high-quality beef with good carcass grading. They do well in feedlots and reach market weight quickly, making them a profitable choice for farmers.

Because of these strengths, Bonsmara cattle are often used in crossbreeding to improve fertility and beef production in other herds.

Health Issues

These cattle have disease resistance, such as protection against tick-borne diseases, but they can still be affected by common bovine diseases like vibriosis.

By implementing proper vaccination protocols and consulting with veterinary professionals, you can keep your cattle healthy. For example, two months before breeding, it is recommended to vaccinate bulls against Crotalism (stiff-sickness) and Campylobacter fetus (vibriosis).

Advantages

• Adaptability in harsh environments
• Fertility and calving ease
• Maternal traits
• Growth and carcass quality
• Temperament

Disadvantages

• Meat with limited marbling
• Specific management needs. To fully realize their potential, Bonsmara cattle require proper management practices, including effective grazing systems and disease control measures.