Breeding for efficiency
Balanced, productive and efficient dual purpose cattle suitable for the production of milk, beef and by-products, that can be kept in all production systems of the world.
Supertaler
Because the colour of the Pustertaler cattle and the African Nguni breed are very similar, farmers started first successful crossing experiments. The resulting animals are registered as "Supertaler" with the African Simmentaler-Society from level F2 x F2 on. The aim is to develop a new, synthetic breed as for example Simbra (Simmentaler / Fleckvieh x Brahman) or Brangus (Brahman x Angus).
The advantages of the Nguni breed in the hot climate of Southern Africa are their excellent adaption, heat tolerance, fertility, easy calving, long service life and good character. Disadvantages are the comaratively light weaners ant the small carcasses, which are cendemned by the beef industry.
 |
| Better marbling of the back muscle of a 16 month old F1-crossing. |
The Nguni breed is supported by the South African government, especially to push the activities of the black farmers. The ulterior motive of the crossing between Pustertaler and Nguni was to combine the positive traits of both breeds, in order to reach a higher output per hectare grassland.
Results of first crossings
For the profitablility of a beef breed the ratio between the weight of the weaner and the weight of the mother is of great importance. The first results of the Pustertaler x Nguni calves from Elandsbosch were sensational in this respect.
 |
| The first F1-bull calves that can be used for the production of the F2-generation. |
A positive side effect is, that the crossed calves are quite small when the are born but nevertheless they are very vital. The "Supertaler" have dark claws, dark pigmentation of the coat, pigmented eyelids and seem to have the same tick-resistance as Ngunis.