The DRC’s Grelka company wants 1 000 South African Bonsmaras for its ranches in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has already bought  210 from the Proveld Bonsmara Group.

Annelie Coleman joined the Grelka delegation on their visit to Proveld member Hannes van der Berg’s Kalkveld Bonsmara Stud near Reivilo, North West, to learn how this breed’s walking ability, disease and heat resistance, and calving ability make it ideal for extensive ranching operations. A Democratic Republic of  Congo (DRC) delegation bought 50 animals from Proveld Bonsmara Group in Vryburg, North West, in April and another 160 in October – the first of the planned 1 000 cattle for ranches in the Katanga province. The delegation represents the Compagnie des Grands Elevages de Katongola (Grelka), which runs 31 000 beef cattle on 400 000ha – one 100 000ha farm near the town of Biano and another 300 000ha one near the town of Katongola.
 
A breed that can cope Grelka was founded in the 1920s by Belgian businessmen and is currently owned by Belgians Aldo Vastapane and George Forrest. The first herds were made up of a variety of breeds such as Brahmans, Afrikaners, Shorthorns, Simmentalers and Bonsmaras.  “We now run a mixed Simmentaler and Bonsmara herd, but we’re increasingly concentrating on Bonsmaras,” says the delegation’s Vamosi Ninsamu. “The breed makes economic sense and we’re definitely coming back to buy more. We bought our first Bonsmaras in the 1970s and have used semen provided by Taurus, but we need to expand our genetic base.” General manager Benoit Nienhaus says Grelka wants to increase its herd to 40 000 animals. “Bonsmaras are indigenous, very hardy and exceptional meat producers,” he explains. “We farm under extensive conditions and need strong walkers that are disease- and parasite-resistant, heat-tolerant and easy calvers.” Strong walking is vital, as the herds trek up to 400km on foot to the abattoirs. This takes about 14 days and the cattle lose up to 8% of their weight. “Our herds are kept in 2 000ha to 10 000ha camps and kraaled every night,” explains Benoit’s colleague Desire Nfundiko. “So they also have to walk long distances to graze.”

Exporting cattle South African livestock exporter Dr Pier Ronchietto facilitated both transactions between Grelka and Proveld. “The buyers did their homework and knew exactly what they wanted,” he says. “Vryburg Bonsmaras are raised on extensive conditions, so they’ll easily adapt to the DRC.” The Bonsmara Breeders’ Society is very positive about the transaction, says its president Charl Uys. “This is an opportunity to expand our breed to yet another country. Grelka’s cattle were strictly selected by senior Bonsmara breeders to ensure top quality. Both commercial and registered animals are superior and will add tremendous value to Grelka’s herds. They were individually evaluated to the highest breed standards.”  Two registered bulls and 48 in-calf heifers were exported in April. The October batch consists of 150 in-calf heifers and 10 registered bulls. The April group was quarantined on a farm near Thlakgameng in the Vryburg district, but Proveld spokesperson Owen Taute says the larger October group will probably have to be quarantined on their farms of origin. The heifers are currently with the bulls, and the quarantine will start as soon as they’re all certified pregnant.

A bumpy road trip
The cattle are transported by road. The first group was loaded onto two Interlinks with enough food and water for the six-day trip to Lubumbashi, from where the cattle was transported to the ranches. The route ran from Vryburg via Beitbridge into Zimbabwe and Zambia. “The animals took the arduous trip surprisingly well,” says Owen. “They were offloaded 70km from their destination and driven the rest of the way on foot. We’re told they were happy to get off the truck, running and prancing with their tails in the air! All the animals arrived in good health and have adapted well.”

Tough conditions
Ranchers in the DRC face tick-borne diseases such as heartwater and redwater, as well as trypanosomiasis (also called the sleeping sickness), caused by tsetse flies. “Cattle are also vaccinated against brucellosis,” says Benoit. “The Biano herd is dipped and inspected every two weeks, and the Katongola herd weekly.  “While we don’t have significant predation problems, we lose many animals to snakebites and up to 100 to lightning every year. Stock theft occurs from time to time, but our herds are closely guarded.” Contact Owen Taute on 083 881 4610, e-mail
owent@vodamail.co.za or visit www.proveld.co.za.     |fw