Common Livestock in South Africa
Cattle and Goats
| Breed | Characteristics and Physiology | ||||
| Afrikaner | Muscular back and loins | Preferred dam line | Low to moderate maintenance | Lateral twisting horns | Small to medium frame |
| Bonsmara | Adapted | Preferred dam line | High growth efficiency | Superior carcass traits | Medium to Large frame |
| Drakensberger | Adapted | Smooth black coat | High fertility | Low susceptibility to ticks | Medium frame |
| Nguni | Adapted to harsh climates | Preferred Dam line | Well-pigmented | Low maintenance | Small frame |
| Tuli | Adaptability | Fertility | Popular crossbreeding | Carries Polled gene | Medium frame |
| Breed | Characteristics and Physiology | |||||
| Angora | Relatively small | Starts breeding in 1 year for bucks and 18 months for doe | 1 kid per litter | Require lots of fresh green pasture for grazing, and should be sheared in spring | Weigh from 49.9kg to 101.6kg | Good for breeding, fibre (Mohair) and pets |
| SA Boer | Large in size | Starts breeding in 7-8 months | 1 to 2 kids per litter | Require environment where they can forage | Weigh from 89.81kg to 134.71kg | Good for breeding, skin and meat |
| Kalahari Red | Large in size | Starts breeding in 1 year for bucks and 18 months for doe | 1 to 3 kids per litter | Can withstand most environments | Weigh from 75kg to 115kg | Good for breeding and meat |
| Savanna | Medium in size | Weigh from 25kg to 30kg | ||||
| Saanen | Medium to large size | Starts breeding in 1 year for bucks and 18 months for doe | 1 to 2 kids per litter | Adaptive to most gardens and larger areas | Weigh from 55.79kg to 84.82kg | Good for breeding, milk, pets and shoes |
| Toggenburg | Medium in size | Starts breeding in 1 year for bucks and 18 months for doe | 1 to 4 kids per litter | Require a lot of space with a lot of fresh pasture | Weigh from 54.88kg to 74.84kg | Produce higher butterfat |
| British Alpine | Medium to large size | Starts breeding in 1 year for bucks and 18 months for doe | 1 to 5 kids per litter | Require more grazing space | Weigh from 61.23kg to 77.11kg | Good for milk, breeding and skin |
Sources for further reading
Mapiye, C., Chikwanha, O.C., Chimonyo, M. & Dzama, K., 2019. Strategies for sustainable use of indigenous cattle genetic resources in Southern Africa. Diversity, 11(11), 2-14, available at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/11/214/pdf
Abin, S., Theron, H.E. and Van Marle-Köster, E., 2016. Population structure and genetic trends for indigenous African beef cattle breeds in South Africa. South African Journal of Animal Science, 46(2), 152-156, available at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajas/article/download/137700/127263
Pienaar, L., Grobler, J.P., Scholtz, M.M., Swart, H., Ehlers, K., Marx, M., MacNeil, M.D. & Neser, F.W., 2018. Genetic diversity of Afrikaner cattle in southern Africa. Tropical animal health and production, 50(2), 399-404 available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Frederick-Neser/publication/320473206_Genetic_diversity_of_Afrikaner_cattle_in_southern_Africa/links/5ac49352458515564eaf6b2e/Genetic-diversity-of-Afrikaner-cattle-in-southern-Africa.pdf
van Marle-Kӧster, E., Pretorius, S.J. & Webb, E.C., 2019. Morphological and physiological characteristics of claw quality in South African Bonsmara cattle. South African Journal of Animal Science, 49(5), 966-976, available at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajas/article/download/191567/181740
Van Marle-Köster, E., Visser, C., Sealy, J. & Frantz, L., 2021. Capitalizing on the potential of South African indigenous beef cattle breeds: a review. Sustainability, 13(8), 1-10, available at https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/8/4388/htm
Visser, C., 2019. A review on goats in southern Africa: An untapped genetic resource. Small Ruminant Research, 176, 11-16, available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092144881930080X?casa_token=_HdNtyBkBSoAAAAA:ZwdYLDLCg56MhFzW0LY07JMgRXaBWQahJRQb634Qlz_bvBic8lcuBY-o1EYWooyYbjoiHOnoEA
Visser, C. & van Marle‐Köster, E., 2018. The development and genetic improvement of South African goats. Goat Science, 19-36, available at https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/56318
Irvine, K., 2019. Domestic animal Breeds, available at https://domesticanimalbreeds.com/