Namibian farmers have various livestock species and within these species there is a wide range of well-adapted breeds and eco-types. Some of these breeds and eco-types are of economic importance, but relatively unknown. It is in this connection that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry found it necessary to summarise information about livestock breeds in the form of the Namibia Livestock Catalogue that was launched recently. Farmers Forum started a regular column last week that will help serve as a guideline in livestock production. Today, Deon Schlechter looks at the Tuli, a breed that debuted at the annual Windhoek Show in 2012, and has since grown in popularity with farmers in the most arid parts of the country.
In Zimbabwe, where the Tuli breed was developed, the popularity of the Tuli and other indigenous breeds in the commercial sector, as measured by the number of breeding females, is low. This is despite the results of research done at Matopos Research Station, which showed that indigenous breeds are productive and are suitable for the local production conditions. One of the major reasons given for the low popularity of the breed is that the meat grading system has for a long time favoured the long carcasses of exotic breeds.
In the southern African region, the Tuli is found mainly in South Africa with smaller sized populations in Botswana and Namibia. The South African Tuli Breed Society has 36 herds (one is a Namibian herd) with about 1 883 females that are over two years old. The breed societies in Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, therefore, work closely together and have started joint genetic evaluations of the Tuli populations.
Tuli cattle have a short coat that can have a range of colours. Shades of white, yellow to dark yellow, light red to dark red, light brown to dark brown, dun coloured and white on the underbelly are allowed, but no black colour or white patches are allowed. Mature bulls weigh between 700 kg and 900 kg and mature cows between 400 kg and 600 kg. The Tuli is adapted to the harsh conditions of Namibia and the breed’s adaptability has continued to be important attributes that are not compromised in anyway during selection. The Tuli is perfectly suited for crossbreeding purposes.