Nguni Cattle Breed – Everything You Need to Know

The Nguni breed is a breed that is a breed that is from Africa and their correct name is Southern African Cattle. Nguni is known as a Colonial concept and said to be wrong because these cattle were also used by various other African tribes and not only the Nguni. They are of a medium size stature and very adept to the vast grazing pastures in South Africa. They are mostly characterized by their multicolored coats which can vary quite a bit in both color and pattern as well as presenting quite a few different horn lengths and shapes of their horns.

NGUNI BREED OF CATTLE QUICK PROFILE OVERVIEW
The Nguni breed of cattle has a cervicothoracic hump that can be found in the front of their forelegs instead of a thoracic hump that is usually found on the animals back mostly on their lower neck of between their shoulder-blades.
Country of Origin:	Africa
Other Names:	None
Main Purpose:	Milk, meat, and draft
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Can be used for	Breed, Meat, Milk, Draft
Ideal Climate:	Heat, Cold, Most Climates
Conservation Status:	Not listed by the *ALC Status/Rarity: Not at risk
Health Issues?	No known health issues
Good Starter Cattle?	Novice to intermediate Cattle farmer/keeper level
Cattle Associations:	Nguni SA
Cattle Clubs:	Please refer to the Nguni SA site for more information on the Nguni breed
Where to buy them?	Please refer to the Nguni SA site for more information on the Nguni breed
Child Friendly?	Livestock should not be left unattended around unsupervised children
General Information:	The Nguni or rather Southern African Cattle breed is a breed of cattle that are a mix of the Bos Indicus types (Zebu – humped cattle) and the Bos Taurus types of cattle that are hump less European breeds of cattle. The cataloging of the various horn shapes, coat colors and patterns is what inspired the start of the Nguni cattle breeds cattle to register the Nguni Cattle Register.
Note: *ALC stands for American Livestock Conservancy

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Nguni cattle breed are of a medium frame with the cows exhibiting the typical block cow shape and the bull is a bit rounded with more defined muscles and thicker necks and legs than the cows.

Size:

Medium

CATTLE ⇒	COW	BULL
Breed Color:	A few different colors and pattern variation	A few different colors and pattern variation
Breed Weight:	300 to 400 kgs	500 to 600 kgs
Breed Height:	Unclear	Unclear
Horns:	They have many different shapes and sizes	They have many different shapes and sizes
Temperament:	Docile and generally well behaved	Docile and generally well behaved but bulls should be treated with care
Matures at age:	6 to 8 months or 9 + months	6 to 8 months or 9 + months
Puberty Age:	6 to 15 months	9 to 1o months
Breeding Age:	13 to 15 months	1 year
Breeding Traits:	See Cow breeding & Milking Info	Cover 25 to 30 Cows in 1 season

COW BREEDING & MILKING INFORMATION
Most Cattle produce milk but not all of them are used in the dairy Cattle capacity for their milk. Cows only calve once a year and should have 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. The Nguni cow is a good mother, with good maternal instincts and an easy birther with little to no assistance or incidents. They are quite a fertile breed and breed well. They produce a good quality milk with a decent milk yield for various dairy uses.
Breeding Period/cycle:	Usually lasts 6 to 24 hours Most ave. 12 to 16 hours Cows usually come on heat every 21 days.
Estrous cycle:	Ave. 17 days to 24 days Heifer – usually ave. 20 days Cows – usually ave. 21 days
Gestation Period:	Usually, around 279 to 287 days but most gestation is 283 days. Cows that are carrying bull calf’s their gestation period is usually a little longer than cows that are carrying heifer calves.
No. Calves/Litter:	1 calf at a time. Cows rarely have twins or triplets, but it can happen
Lactation Period:	Cows lactation period can last for up to about 10 months (305) days.
Milking From:	1 to 6 weeks after Calving
Drying off Period:	The cow should have a 12 to 14-month inter-calving cycle. Drying off period for around 60 days before she can calve again.
Milk Quality:	Good, Butterfat = 5.37% , Protein = 3.13% Quantity: 5 liters, Per: Day
Milk Ideal for:	Calves
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CATTLE MEAT PRODUCTION INFORMATION

The Nguni cattle breed has a very good quality of lean meat with a good marbling and thin fat layer. The calves are born at an average weight of around 22.5 kgs and grow at around 0.7 kgs a day. Their average weaning weights are 175 kgs. Their finished carcass weight is around 180 to 220 Kgs.

Meat Production?

Yes, Quality: Very Good

CATTLE ⇒	VEAL	BEEF
Ave. Maturity Age:	6 to 8 months	9 months up to 4 years

CATTLE SKIN PRODUCTION INFORMATION

Most meat Cattle will have a skin by-product, and these are usually used in some form or just as a hide. The Nguni cattle has quite a sought-after hide that is used in high end rugs and furnishings

Skin Production?

Yes, Quality: Good

Skin is used to Produce:

Calf/cow skin leather products such as shoes, car seats, fine leather coats, gloves, handbags, belts, furniture, rugs, etc.

CATTLE ⇒	CALF	ADULT
Age they Produce from:	6 to 8 months for Calf skin	1 to 2 years old for Normal leather

HISTORY

During their migration to Southern Africa the Nguni, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, and Swazi people brought their cattle with them. This was around 600 and 1400 AD. These animals have since played quite an important part of South African economics and social role in the development of the country.

The cattle were used to measure wealth and as trade. Dowry’s of cattle were expected for a bride. The wealth of the tribe was measured by the head of cattle that the tribe possessed.

The Zulu tribe under the rule of King Shaka recognized this and seized control of all livestock under his dominion. The selectively bred the herds for their various color coats in order to produce hides for which different members of his army would wear different colors. With his personal guards wearing white skins selected from the personal Royal herd.