The 700-head Nandi Nguni stud achieves an average conception rate of 90% on the veld. The Biggs family is keen to increase the size of the herd to broaden its already impressive genetic base. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

RECORD- BREAKING, HIGH-ALTITUDE NGUNIS

LIVESTOCK Nguni

48 farmer’sweekly 24 JULY 2020

FAST FACTS•  The Nandi Nguni stud was established in 1985 with top genetics from some of the best herds in South Africa and eSwatini.

•  The combined Nandi Nguni herd consists of 700 stud and 500 commercial breeding female animals.

•  The Biggs family produces weaners for feedlots and veld-reared oxen.

24 JULY 2020 farmer’sweekly 49

“Our goal is to preserve the original Nguni traits by letting nature guide us,’’ says Clive Biggs, who, with his

father, Lionel, and brother, Brian, is a member of the LBC Biggs Trust. This approach, in a nutshell, is the main breeding objective of the family’s Nandi Nguni stud of 700 breeding female animals, one of the oldest and largest Nguni studs in South Africa. The Nandi stud, which is run on sourveld at an altitude of between 1 600m and 2 100m, is expected to produce efficiently despite minimal inputs. The herd’s abilities under these extensive conditions are continually fine-tuned by selection from some of the finest Nguni bloodlines to improve functional efficiency, adaptability, disease resistance, fertility, balanced milk production, mothering ability and productive longevity.

“A central factor in improving our herd has been the use of the best genetics we could find,’’ explains Clive. “There are some bloodlines that have proven to be the best, and today, we have a combination of some of the oldest.’’

THE DEVELOPMENT OF NANDI NGUNISAs early as 1977, Lionel and his older brother Victor began selecting Ngunis while farming in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. The brothers’ involvement in livestock speculation enabled them to source optimal Nguni-type genetics eight years before the Nguni Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa was established in 1985.

By early 1979, however, the consolidation of the former Transkei and resultant expropriation of land claimed their farms in the Ongeluksnek area near Matatiele. Victor saw the loss of his farm as an opportunity to return to the Border region of the Eastern Cape, where he had grown up with his grandfather, but Lionel opted to move to the nearby Cedarville district. The brothers split their Nguni herd accordingly, and in 2002 Victor dispersed his then commercial herd on the farm Haddon in the Kei Road district, achieving record prices.

Clive was two when the family settled on Mooifontein in Cedarville in 1979. He and his older brother, Brian, watched the Nandi Nguni stud (registered in 1985) develop in leaps and bounds, thanks to genetics bought from a wide variety of sources: Makhathini Flats (Zululand), the Bartlow Combine Research Station herd (Hluhluwe), the Shashweni Breeders’ Society (Zululand),

Melkbosstrand

Yzerfontein

Langebaan

SaldanhaVredenburg

Paternoster

Lambert’s Bay

Strandfontein

Lutzville

Clanwilliam

Wupperthal

Citrusdal

Uitspankraal

Bokhara

Rooiputs

Vaalputs

Garies

Kamieskroon

Springbok

Steinkopf

VioolsdriftOnseepkans

Keetmanshoop

Pofadder

Kleinsee

Port Nolloth

Alexander Bay

Luderitz

Walvisbaai

Swakopmund

Windhoek

Otjiwarongo

Hondeklipbaai

Kliprand

Brandvlei

KenhardtMarydale

GroblershoopKakamas

Augrabies Keimoes

Upington

Louisvale

Prieska

Noenieput

Rietfontein

Twee Rivieren

Bokspits

Hotazel

Dibeng

Sishen

Kuruman

Vredendal

Klawer

Vanrhynsdorp

Port Owen

Hopefield

Piketberg

Porterville

Saron

Prince Alfred Hamlet

CeresWolseley

De Doorns

MurraysburgThree Sisters

Beaufort West

Leeu-Gamka

Merweville

Fraserburg

Loxton

Williston

Carnarvon

VosburgBritstown

De Aar

Vanwyksvlei

Victoria WestHutchinson

Richmond

Hanover

Noupoort

Colesberg

Philipstown

Strydenburg

Hopetown

Douglas

Niekerkshoop

Ritchie

Kimberley

Barkly West

DelportshoopWindsorton

Warrenton

Jan Kempdorp

Hartswater

Griekwastad

Postmasburg

Daniëlskuil

Reivilo

Campbell

Petrusville

Sutherland

Calvinia

Nieuwoudtville

Loeriesfontein

Laingsburg

Touws River

Ladismith

Prince Albert

Rietbron

Willowmore

Joubertina

KareedouwHumansdorp Jeffreys Bay

Coega

Colchester

Addo

Kirkwood PatersonAlicedale

Grahamstown

Somerset EastCookhouse Fort Beaufort

Adelaide

King William’s Town

Potsdam

BerlinBisho

Kei Road

Komga

ButterworthCathcart

Sada

Tarkastad

Cradock

Hofmeyr

Rosmead

Steynsburg

OvistonVenterstadGariep Dam

Lake St Lucia

Lake Sibaya

Vaal Dam

Bloemhof Dam

Darlington Dam

Vanderkoof Dam

Kalkfontein Dam

Katse Dam

GariepBethulie

Rouxville

ZastronSmithfield

Vanstadensrus

WepenerReddersburgDewetsdorp

Hobhouse

Mafeteng

Mohale’s Hoek

Quthing

Patlong

Thaba-Tseka

MaseruRafolatsane Mokhotlong

Qacha’s Nek

Botshabelo

Thaba NchuLadybrand

Ficksburg

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SenekalBethlehem Bohlokong

Kestell

ClarensPhuthaditjhaba Ladysmith Pomeroy

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Dannhauser

NewcastleUtrecht

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Kingsley

ColensoWeenen

Harrismith

Warden Verkykerskop

Memel

VredeWakkerstroom

Paulpietersburg

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Volksrust

MkhondoAmersfoortStanderton

GreylingstadBalfour

DavelBethalSecundaEvander

LeandraBreyton

CarolinaVandyksdrif

Kriel

Witbank

OgiesDelmas

SpringsGermiston

Alberton

Johannesburg

Randburg

KrugersdorpRandfontein

Tarlton Midrand

MagaliesburgDerbyKoster

RustenburgSwartruggens

Groot Marico

Sun City

Northam

Carletonville

Fochville

Soweto

BenoniKempton Park

NigelHeidelberg

MeyertonSebokeng

Middelburg

Marble Hall

Bela-Bela

Modimolle

MookgophongRoedtan

Lebowakgomo

Haenertsburg

Tzaneen

Duiwelskloof

Morebeng

Giyani

Louis Trichardt

Thohoyandou

Tshipise

Musina

Polokwane

Zebediela

Mokopane

PengeHoedspruit

MicaOfcalaco

Phalaborwa

Vaalwater

Thabazimbi

Lephalale

Alldays

Vivo

Dendron

GroblersdalRust de Winter

Temba

Cullinan

Bronkhorstspruit

Centurion

PretoriaGa-RankuwaBrits

Hartbeesfontein

Hendrina

Waterval Boven

Mbombela MalelaneKomatipoort

White River

Hazyview SkukuzaGraskop

Sabie KiepersolLydenburg

BrondalDullstroom

MachadodorpBelfast

Pilgrim’s Rest

Ohrigstad

Barberton

Badplaas

Sheepmoor

Amsterdam

Manzini

Mbabane

Maputo

Xai-Xai

Inhambane

Mapinhane

Beira

Chimoio

Angoche Island

Nampula

Cuamba

Tete

Mbabane

Montepuez

Lothair

Ermelo

Cornelia

Villiers

FrankfortHeilbronKoppies

VredefortParys

Sasolburg

Vanderbijlpark Vereeniging

Oranjeville

Reitz

Tweeling

LindleySteynsrus

VentersburgVirginia

WelkomRiebeeckstad

Hennenman

Odendaalsrus

Maokeng

Bothaville

Viljoenskroon

VierfonteinOrkney

Kroonstad Petrus Steyn

Edenville

Hoopstad

Bloemhof

Taung

Terra Firma

Vryburg

AmaliaWolmaransstad

MigdolOttosdal

Delareyville

Klerksdorp Stilfontein

Potchefstroom

Coligny Ventersdorp

Lichtenburg

MahikengSlurry

Zeerust

Lobatse

Gaborone

Palapye

Kang

Serowe

Tonota

Harare

Bulawayo

Gweru

Mutare

Beitbridge

Francistown

Maun

Schweizer-RenekeMakwassie

Leeudoringstad

Stella

Wesselsbron

Marquard

Winburg

Theunissen

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Hertzogville

Christiana

Springfontein

Trompsburg

Edenburg

Koffiefontein

BloemfonteinPetrusburg

Boshof

DealesvilleSoutpan

Excelsior

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Brandfort

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Philippolis

FauresmithLuckhoff

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Jamestown

DordrechtIndwe

Elliot

Barkly Pass

Barkly East

RhodesLady GreyAliwal North

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Molteno

Middelburg

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Seymore

Fort HareAlice

Bedford

Hamburg

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East LondonBeacon Bay

Chintsa

Kei Mouth

Willowvale

IdutywaTsomo

Queenstown

Lady Frere

Coffee Bay

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Lusikisiki

Libode

Flagstaff Port EdwardRamsgate

MargateUvongo

Port ShepstoneSea Park

Hibberdene

Sezela

ScottburghuMkomaasKingsburgh

Amanzimtoti

Durban

uMhlanga

BalitoSheffield Beach

Zinkwazi Beach

Gingindlovu

eShowe

eMpangeni

Melmoth

uLundi

Richards Bay

River View

Hluhluwe

Nongoma

Mtubatuba St Lucia

Kosi Bay

Munster

HardingKokstad

FranklinUmzimkulu

Ixopo

Richmond

Pinetown

KwaMashu

Tongaat

MpumalangaCamperdown

PietermaritzburgHowick

New HanoverDalton

Stanger

Greytown

Kranskop

LidgettonNottingham Road

RosettaBalgowan

Mooi River

EstcourtCathedral Peak

WintertonBergville

Donnybrook

BulwerUnderbergHimeville

BizanaMount Frere

Mthatha

Ugie

Maclear

Halcyon Drift

Mount Fletcher

CedarvilleMatatiele

Brooks Nek

AlexandriaKenton-on-Sea

Port Alfred

Bathurst

Bell

Port ElizabethSummerstrand

UitenhageDespatch

Bethelsdorp

Patensie

Steytlerville

KlipplaatJansenville

Aberdeen

Graaff-Reinet

Adendorp

Pearston

Hankey

St Francis Bay

Cape St Francis

Storms River

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CalitzdorpDe Rust

UniondaleHaarlem

Plettenberg BayKnysnaWilderness

George

Brakrivier

Mossel Bay

Gouritzmond

Robertson

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CaledonRiviersonderend

Swellendam Suurbraak

Heidelberg

Barrydale

Stanford

ElimBredasdorp

Napier

Arniston

Witsand Stilbaai

Albertina

Riversdale

Herbertsdale

L’Agulhas

Montagu

Keisie Valley

Bonnievale

Sedgefield

Worcester

MoorreesburgTulbagh

Gouda

Malmesbury

WellingtonPaarl

Durbanville

Bellville StellenboschSomerset West

Grabouw

KleinmondHermanus

Gansbaai

Franschhoek

Darling

BloubergstrandMilnerton

Cape Town

Hout BayMuizenberg

Simon’s Town Gordons Bay

Strand

Middelrus

Roossenekal

On 9 May 2020, the Biggs family, who farms in the Eastern Cape, sold a Nguni herd sire for a world-record price of R310 000. Clive Biggs spoke to Mike Burgess about the family’s well-adapted Nandi Nguni stud in the foothills of the Drakensberg near Cedarville.

LIVESTOCK Nguni

50 farmer’sweekly 24 JULY 2020

the Owen Sithole Agricultural College herd (Empangeni), the University of the North herd (in today’s Limpopo), the Natal Parks Board herd, the former Ciskei government herd (at Mpekweni in the Eastern Cape) and the well-known Ngunis of Ted Riley in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland).

Although these genetics played a crucial role early on, considerably more genetics have been sourced countrywide since Brian and Clive became actively involved in the operation.

“Our father started the Nguni herd with passion and with an eye on the future,’’ says Clive. “We’re hoping to do the same, and farm for our children.”

Today, the Biggs’s operation, which is run on 4 500ha, comprises the Nguni stud, 500 commercial Nguni cows, a 400-ewe flock of Nguni goats, and a 100-ewe flock of Meatmaster sheep.

ADAPTED TO TOUGH CONDITIONSThe climatic, topographical and grazing challenges of the area place exceptional demands on their Ngunis, which include medium-framed cows with an average weight of 370kg.

“Our Ngunis must be able to maintain their condition through extremely harsh

winters on the veld; they have to be hardy and capable of utilising all sourveld grazing in mountainous areas,” says Clive.

He adds that the last few years have seen significant changes to the regional climate, and the Nandi herd has done well to adapt to this too.

“The rainy season has shortened, and our dry periods have become longer. The Nandi Ngunis’ ability to adapt to these conditions has been amazing; the cows walk huge distances for water and still maintain themselves and raise calves.”

The Biggs’s veld management system is based on high-density rotational grazing and sparing selected camps for winter. During the breeding season, cattle are rotated in camps every two to three days; once the bulls are removed, smaller groups of cows are amalgamated into herds of between 300 and 400 and placed in camps to graze non-selectively and crop the grass short. With the increased hoof action and large amounts of dung and urine, the soil receives a boost of natural fertiliser to ensure good regrowth. In February, selected camps are rested until June/July, when the cattle are reintroduced to take them through winter.

TOP: Nandi Ngunis are accustomed

to the extreme weather conditions of Cedarville, which

includes heavy snowfalls.

ABOVE: The average weight of a Nandi

Nguni cow is 370kg. Non-selective grazing, the ability

to climb rugged terrain in search of grazing, and disease

resistance all make Nandi Ngunis low-input animals that

produce efficiently on the veld.

ABOVE RIGHT: According to Clive Biggs, their

record-breaking bull T 12 58, which they sold in May for R310 000, is the product of

some of the finest bloodlines they have had in their herd.

OPPOSITE PAGE:Another former top Nandi

Nguni herd sire, T 98 148 Flame. ‘We strive to

produce animals that add to other breeders’ herds

and genetics,’ says Clive.

24 JULY 2020 farmer’sweekly 51

PRODUCTION The Biggs family gauges the success of beef production by how cost-effectively the maximum number of kilograms of beef can be produced from the veld. Minimising inputs is therefore of crucial importance. They have, for example, not dipped their cattle during the past 17 years, despite the fact that redwater (both strains) and gallsickness are prevalent in the area. They also keep inoculations to a bare minimum, with five-month-old calves receiving a shot of Covexin 10 (a 10-in-1 clostridial vaccine), while heifer calves get an extra shot of Brucella abortus S19 vaccine.

All the cattle receive a phosphate P6 lick in summer and a 20% urea-based lick in winter, while the only forage crop on the properties is a 20ha block of Eragrostis.

Bulls (90% of which are self-bred because of the broad genetic base provided by the 700 stud female animals) are put to cows in multiple- and single-sire herds. The potency of Nandi bulls is best illustrated by T12 58, who in the past season was put to 80 female animals, of whom 78 were in calf after a three-month breeding season.

Cows and heifers calve from September to November (90%) and February/March (10%), and achieve a herd conception rate of 90% and an average inter-calving period of 402 days. Stud heifers calve at 35 months and all breeding female animals receive Eragrostis bales on the veld while calving. Late in their gestation, the stud female animals are brought closer to home to calve so that the calves can be tagged and registered. During this period, the breeding female animals receive Eragrostis hay for about six weeks before being moved back onto the veld.

Calves are weaned at about seven months, by which time they weigh about 50% of their dams’ weight; bull calves average 190kg and heifer calves 180kg. Every season, half of the stud heifers are kept as replacements and selected bull calves are retained as future herd sires or to be marketed as breeding bulls. All weaner oxen, besides 125 that are grown out exclusively on the veld, are sent to a private feedlot. After about four months in the feedlot, the weaner oxen achieve an average carcass weight of 210kg, while the oxen on the veld are marketed on reaching an individual weight of about 450kg at an age of three to four years.

“We produce cattle suitable for a feedlot as well as organic, grass-fed animals, raised in their natural environment and sold for quality meat,’’ says Clive.

THE SALE OF GENETICS About 30 Nandi stud bulls and 100 stud female animals (including in-calf heifers) are sold at the KZN Nguni Club Sale (in March), KZN Elite Nguni Sale (May), the Sentrale Nguni Club Sale (October) and the National Nguni Sale (November). According to Clive, demand for female Ngunis is insatiable; in 2001 they sold an in-calf heifer for R45 000, which remains their top price for a female animal. “We can’t keep up with the demand for females,’’ he says.

This year’s KZN Elite Nguni Sale took place via WhatsApp and exceeded expectations, not only due to T12 58’s world-record price, but the overall prices. “We sold 100% of our animals. Times are uncertain, especially in lockdown, so we were very happy with the prices and the interest shown in the cattle.”• Phone Clive Biggs on 082 308 8568. ▪FW

BRIAN BIGGS

CLIVE BIGGS

LIONEL BIGGS