International economic recession, high energy prices and global warming are increasingly important factors in beef-cattle breeding. Stud breeders and commercial cattlemen will be forced to reconsider the merits of large, grain-fed, feedlot or “diesel bulls” against smaller, veld-adapted “solar bulls” such as Afrikaners. So says Albert de Villiers, Afrikaner breeder from Koopmansfontein in the Northern Cape. Annelie Coleman reports.
The efficiency of producing beef will play an increasingly important role in South Africa,
says Afrikaner breeder Albert de Villiers from Koopmansfontein. “Energy from fossil fuel is becoming scarce and expensive and apart from contributing to global warming, the effect of its rising price will undoubtedly also affect beef production,” says De Villiers. “Eventually it will influence the type of bull commercial farmers will use to survive economically.”
He explains the choice will be between so-called “diesel bulls” and “solar bulls”. Bulls heavy on grain don’t graze a lot and the production cycle from farm to slaughter includes fossil fuel-intensive grain production, hence the term “diesel bulls”. Developments in the global economy no longer make it economically and ecologically sustainable to round off 80% of slaughter cattle in feedlots. The feedlot industry is based on a centrally concentrated mass-production approach in which value is added in feedlots. For this purpose, the price of raw material inputs must be kept as low as possible, whether for diesel fuel, grain or weaner calves.In his view, the Afrikaner breed probably has the best genetic potential to produce red meat on veld, especially in drier parts of southern and South Africa.
Increasing concerns
Two cheap commodities, diesel and grain in particular, made “beef factories” profitable in the past. Warning lights started to flash for the feedlot industry as early as the energy crisis in 1974, but at that stage good profits were still made.
However, recent oil price shocks and new biodiesel technology have made grain an increasingly expensive commodity. It’s now directly linked to the price of diesel and crude oil, with a dramatic influence on the South African feedlot industry. Albert says it’s unlikely the feedlot industry will be eliminated, but its role will decrease in future.
Furthermore, health-conscious consumers are becoming aware of the disadvantages of grain-fed beef as opposed to grass-fed beef, as well as the contribution of feedlots to global warming. Grain-fed cattle belch large quantities of methane – a potent greenhouse gas. In future, governments may even penalise feedlots for this.
Albert says cattle farmers in southern Africa are left with only one viable alternative – to rear cattle naturally on veld. The source of energy would only be from sunlight converted to green grass by photosynthesis, and then to beef.
A new breed
The type of animal that can most efficiently convert grass to marketable beef will differ markedly from most cattle currently being produced by the stud-stock industry.
Large-scale production of cattle reared on permanent pasture, as opposed to feedlotting, is highly unlikely. “Irrigation isn’t an option due to limited water in arid regions,” explains Albert. “In addition, grain cultivation is more profitable and parasites easily get out of control on cattle kept on permanent pasture. Weaner calves will still have to be bought in from somewhere.”
The feedlot industry requires large-framed animals that don’t easily gain fat. These normally have later sexual maturation, are initially slim and after 60 days in the feedlot, still don’t gain fat. Average daily gain (ADG) under feedlot conditions is measured in terms of feedlot-profit per animal fed. Cattle have to put on maximum meat weight while being fed minimum grain – an indication of a high feed conversion ratio. It could even be stated bigger is better. One US cattleman said, “Feedlots started the big-frame race.”
This trend led to large-framed breeds such as Brahman replacing Afrikaners. Afrikaner stud breeders tried to keep up by breeding larger Afrikaners, which led to later-maturing cattle. Agricultural shows followed the “bigger is better” principle and champion Afrikaner cows, in particular, were bred progressively larger, eventually resembling oxen, but produced fewer calves. Performance testing criteria have become the norm for measuring success, as are ADG and feed-conversion ratio (FCR) under feedlot conditions. Even Phase D tested animals are intensively fed to improve these performance measures. BLUP is a sophisticated tool, but the way it’s used accelerates maladjustment of bulls to veld conditions. Albert adds that stud breeders must be encouraged to performance-test bulls on veld and also to participate in Veld Bull Clubs.
The solar-powered bull
Albert says solar-powered bulls are rare. “These bulls use the sun and nature as allies in meat production,” he explains. “The key here is veld adaptation.”
Solar-powered bulls are never found at shows and seldom at stud auctions. Breeders are usually also poor marketers, spending a lot of time on veld and little time on cellphones or laptops. These bulls mostly originate from indigenous African breeds or crossbreeds.
“We’re talking about a bull in top condition on veld year-round, and ready to serve 30+ cows within 21 days,” says Albert. “BLUP is of limited value in selection, because commonly used BLUP criteria aim to eliminate environmental influences during selection.” Solar-powered bulls reach sexual maturity earlier and can serve by 14 months. Generally they’re small-framed with good muscling and fat deposits at an early age. Early sexual maturity makes them ready for slaughter sooner.
“These bulls don’t build up heat in the sun, because they are oval-shaped in section as seen from behind. These bulls aren’t the typical deep, wine-red colour, but a lighter yellow, better reflecting sunlight.
“Breeders of solar-powered bulls know stocking rates and fertility are factors making cattle farming more profitable,” says Albert. “Smaller-framed animals can reproduce more under higher stocking rates (in kilogram biomass per hectare) than other cattle. They consequently produce more beef per hectare, making sound financial sense.”
Contact Albert de Villiers on 083 288 5124. Additional source: Afrikaner Cattle Breeders’ Society. |fw
