Zebaldt Ngaruka
OZOMBOUVAPA - The Namibian Brahman Breeders Society (NBBS) recently commemorated the annual Brahman Day at farm Okomutombe, owned by the Schneider family, in the Grootfontein area.
Henry Mans, who is the president of NBBS, told New Era that the day is a platform where breeders are updated on new breeding procedures, as well as veterinary and farming matters.
“Despite celebration, we also re-equip them with the latest technology in breeding such as estimate breeds values and genotypes and farming,” he noted.
The president added that the day is offered to ensure that every breeder can gain knowledge about the most recent trends and standards in Brahman cattle breeding.
“In Southern Africa, the Brahman breed is still at the forefront in using advanced technologies such as genotyping. This ensures that much more information is available to promote the breed,” Mans stated.
The day was filled with practical demonstrations and discussions in the kraal, where beautiful animals were presented by well-known Mecki Schneider.
Amongst the topics covered at the commemorative day were market sentiments in the stud industry during the year 2023, and the outlook for 2024. The beef genomic programme was also discussed in terms of what it entails for breeders.
Furthermore, the latest developments in genomic, selection indices and breeding values and logic were looked at.
“The NBBS’s 2023 data assessment, the strategic feed supplement, and to round animals off economically on dry pasture was deliberated at this event. We also looked at the fertility aspects of NBBS from practical data,” he highlighted.
When asked about the requirements to be a member of NBBS, Mans told New Era that one must have 20 registered stud female Brahman within a period of three years.
“Even if you registered but cannot meet the above requirements, you will be eliminated from NBBS,” emphasised the president.
He added that a once-off payment of N$10 000 is required to be a member.
Brian Pangii Hoveka of Pangii Brahman Stud said the NBBS offers opportunities for stud breeders to become more knowledgeable.
Hoveka, who farms in the Osire area, noted that thorough inspections are carried out by experts on the cattle for quality production.
“We, the breeders, learned a lot from various experts in the Brahman industry, and that helped us to sell good quality animals,” he added.
The youthful stud breeder singled out his highest-paid bull which earned him N$72 000 in the pocket at the Windhoek auction as attributable to NBBS.
The society was established in 1966 in the then South-West Africa, and comprised 78 members countrywide.