Achieving good growth with superior genetics

Rian van Wyk, owner of Jagtdrift Brangus in the Panbult area of Mpumalanga, has built his business on well-adapted, early-maturing cows that consistently produce sought-after weaners. He attributes much of his success to choosing a breed with favourable characteristics that centre on fertility, maternal ability and satisfactory weight gain, whether on the veld or in a feedlot.

Brangus cattle were introduced to Jagtdrift 24 years ago along with bulls of four other breeds. Over the years, however, the Brangus female animals outperformed the others in terms of fertility and maternal abilities, and today the herd is almost wholly Brangus. Van Wyk’s goal is for the entire herd to comprise purebred Brangus within the next two years.

The Jagtdrift Brangus herd consists of 900 breeding cows and a stud component for breeding superior bulls. By using Brangus, Van Wyk has reduced cow mortalities and improved weaning rates due to the breed’s smaller calving weights.

“Calving problems are a significant contributing factor to cow mortalities, and consequently lower weaning rates. I make the birthing process easier by breeding for smaller heifer calves