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Afrikaner cattle
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Afrikaner cattle

Place of Origin South Africa
Origin Sanga type cattle, in huge herds, were owned by the Hottentots when the Dutch established the Cape Colony in 1652. The animals were obtained by the colonists who improved them for use as draft animals. It was Africander oxen that drew the wagons which carried Boer farmers and families on the Great Trek of 1835 - 36 from the Cape of Good Hope to the Orange Free State, Natal and the Transvaal to escape British rule. the word trek is originally Afrikaans, meaning draft.
The Africander is South Africa's most popular native breed, comprising 30% of the cattle population. Africander cattle exhibit good resistance to heat, a high level of tick resistance, quiet temperament and a satisfactorily high level of fertility under harsh conditions.
Purpose 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.
Appearance They have the small cervico-thoracic hump typical of Sanga cattle. Afrikaners are usually deep red.
Horns Long spreading horns.
Cows Average Weight 525 to 600 kg (1150 - 1350 pounds)
Bulls Average Weight 750 to 1000 kg (1650 - 2200 pounds).
Other Considerations The Africander was used with Shorthorn in developing the Bonsmara breed and with Holstein in creating the Drakensberger.
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