Afrikaner cattle
Afrikaner cattle (Afrikander cattle) are a hardy breed of beef cattle which are popular in South Africa. In Afrikaans, this breed is called Afrikanerbees.
The Afrikaner is a native South African breed, belonging to the Sanga type. Huge herds of Sanga type cattle were herded by the Khoikhoi (Hottentots) when the Dutch established the Cape Colony in 1652.
Appearance
Afrikaners are usually deep red with long spreading horns. They have the small cervices-thoracic hump typical of Sanga cattle.
Uses
The Khoikhoi and the Boers used the Afrikaners for meat and milk and the Boers improved them to use as draft animals. It was Afrikaner oxen which drew the wagons that carried the Voortrekkers on the Great Trek. Afrikaners have been bred into other lines used in the tropics because of their fertility, docility and greater weight gain potential.
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An Afrikander Wagon Transport in the Orange Free State
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An Afrikander Wagon Transport in the Transvaal
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References
- Felius, Marleen (1985) Genus Bos: Cattle Breeds of the World MSO-AGVET (Merck & Co., Inc.), Rahway, N.J., OCLC 13726656
- Mason, I.L. (1996) A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties (4th ed.) C.A.B International, Wallingford, Oxofordshire, UK, ISBN 0-85199-102-5
- Timmins, Lisa (ed.) (1989) Handbook of Australian Livestock (3rd ed.) Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation, Sydney, ISBN 0-642-87194-9