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It’s easier to replace the roof of a building than having to replace its foundation and walls. The same principle applies to cattle farming. “With a strong cow herd as your foundation, selected offspring as the walls and bulls as the roof, you can steer your stud or commercial herd in the right direction.”
This is how Boran breeders BJ Visser and his father, Johan, describe their approach. They co-own the Vaalkamdor Boran stud which they manage in the Hopetown, Douglas, and Prieska area. They were able to recognise the value of Boran cows as the foundation of their crossbreeding programme early on and have since never looked back.
“The breed easily adapts to our Northern Cape conditions, where grazing is not always plentiful. The results we achieve with our crossbred animals are remarkable. We established the stud with the goal of producing superior breeding material, and today our greatest satisfaction comes from contributing to other breeders’ success by offering quality, uniform animals,” BJ explains.
Boran ticks all the boxes
BJ and Johan have been farming crossbred animals since 1993 under the name J & B Boerdery. Their search for a truly exceptional animal, however, only came to fruition in 2009 when they purchased three Boran bulls from Schalk van Oudtshoorn’s herd. They later acquired a group of in-calf Boran cows that were bred to Simmentaler and Angus bulls. The quality of these calves confirmed that this was exactly what their commercial herd should look like. Today, they manage an outstanding commercial herd consisting of Boran cows and Simmentaler bulls.
Their farming conditions demand cattle that are shorter in the leg, fertile, and exhibit excellent maternal traits. This includes easy calving, strong calves at weaning, and the ability to reconceive within a reasonable period. The Boran met all these requirements. BJ experimented with various crosses, but the Boran/ Simmentaler combination ultimately delivered the best value in terms of kilogram meat/ha.
Despite the area’s limited carrying capacity, he can run 1,3 to 1,5 Borans compared to just one large-framed cow on the same veld. This translates into more calves, and because Boran crosses grow faster, they reach market readiness much sooner than other breeds. “Some of the large-framed cattle we’ve had here take nine to 11 months to reach an acceptable weaning weight and become marketable. The Boran/Simmentaler crosses, on the other hand, take only 6,5 to eight months to reach the same weight.”
Economic value without equal
BJ is also a businessman and believes that whatever you farm should make financial sense. While conducting extensive testing in his commercial operation, he compared a 230kg beef animal with a Boran crossbred animal of the same weight. “The kilogram yield/ha from the beef animal was 9kg, whereas the Boran/Simmentaler crossbred calves produced 11kg/ha. That difference may seem small, but once you multiply it across the hectares you have available, you realise how worthwhile it is to use the Boran as the foundation of your crossbreeding programme.”
Lees meer hier oor die 2025 Boran nasionale veiling.
When market prices dropped to just R30/kg, BJ’s calculations showed that large-framed animals generated around R270/ha, while the Boran delivered around R330/ha. More recent prices have pushed his returns closer to R500/ha. This offers a significant advantage in crossbreeding programmes, where calves of 230 to 260kg can be weaned with ease during favourable rainy seasons.
Johan emphasises that it takes less time for weaned calves of this quality to become available, while Boran cows require far fewer inputs in terms of licks, maintenance, management, and parasite control.
Breeding goals and genetics
Genetics play a crucial role, says BJ. “You have to identify the type of animal, along with the right bull-and-cow combinations, that can truly adapt to your environment. For me, it was essential to know exactly what I wanted to achieve and how to get there. It took us nearly ten years to perfect the genetics in the stud and commercial herds. We began by testing different combinations to see what worked and what didn’t, and along the way we gathered a wealth of data.”
A cow that produces in their system must meet a few key criteria. First and foremost, she must be able to reproduce efficiently. “Either she gives me a calf, or she gives herself. There’s no room for passengers, and certainly no time for pampering.”
The Boran’s distinctive maternal traits are equally valuable. “It is remarkable how well a Boran cow cares for her calf. They are very group oriented, and it is wonderful to see how they support one another. Their calves are stronger at birth than those of many other breeds and grow at an exceptional rate.”
A breed without equal
The Boran is truly a valuable asset for producers, especially in the Northern Cape where grazing is often limited. With input costs continually rising, finishing large-framed animals for slaughter has become increasingly expensive. However, the Boran can be finished efficiently on a standard finishing lick. They can be finished in the feedlot for just a few days on a lower-cost ration, and reach 230kg noticeably quicker than many other breeds.
Producers who finish their Boran calves themselves and sell directly to abattoirs consistently earn higher prices. This strong performance has contributed to the breed’s steady upward trajectory, says BJ. Over the past five years, the Boran population registered with SA Stud Book has grown by 51%, reflecting the growing interest in using the Boran as the foundation of commercial herds. Effortless management and low maintenance requirements make them especially appealing.
“They adapt easily to their environment and consume only what they need. With a good lick, they can withstand drought longer than many other breeds. Cows also maintain their condition well with a good lick and supplements, making reconception easier.” In terms of meat quality, the Boran competes with the best.
Because of the Boran’s success record in crossbreeding programmes, BJ and Johan place great emphasis on ensuring that their stud and commercial animals complement rather than compete with each other. Boran stud breeders are prioritising high-quality breeding material suited to the commercial market. For the Vissers, this approach is paying off – they continue to produce top-quality animals for their own operation and for commercial breeders alike. – Koos du Pisani, Stockfarm Magazine
For more information, contact BJ Visser at 061 461 4410 or Johan Visser at 083 658 8343, or contact the Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society at 051 410 0951 or visit www.boran.org.za
