Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
The annual National Elite Awards are SA Stud Book’s gala event. The opportunity gives recognition to the best of the best breeders, stud herds and flocks, and stud animals. The twelfth Standard Bank SA Stud Book National Elite prize-giving awards recently took place at Monte Bello Estate. The event was preceded by the prestigious Vleissentraal/SA Stud Book National Elite bull growth class at the Bloem Show.
Vleissentraal/SA Stud Book Elite bull growth class
Recognition was given to all the owners and breeders of the bulls that participated in the Vleissentraal/ SA Stud BookElite bull growth class. Only one bull per breed can participate and bulls are placed based on structural correctness and functional efficiency, with a final placement of the winner based on genetic merit for economically important traits, if necessary. Seventeen bulls (Table 1) were nominated by the respective breeders’ societies in 2022, with one late withdrawal.
The winner of the 2022 Vleissentraal SA Stud Book National Elite bull growth class, Carel Nel of Grasmunt Stud and his Drakensberger bull, was also announced by the judges in the ring at Bloem Show.
Table 1: The participants for 2022 are as follows (in no particular order):
Read more about the rules of the competition, the bulls taking part in 2022, their breeders, and their owners on pages 25 to 29 of the SA Stud Breeder edition of April 2022.
Plaas Media/SA Stud Book National Elite 2022 Platinum Bull Awards
These prestigious awards give recognition to stud bulls who have performed exceptionally well in a growth test, have an exceptional genetic merit for economically important traits, and are bred out of a dam that has had at least, in the preceding consecutive years, achieved Elite Golden status on SA Stud Book’s Logix system. A maximum of only five bulls (Table 2) qualifies per annum, ranked on genetic merit for the expected fertility of female offspring.
Table 2: The Elite Platinum Bull Awards for 2022 go to the following:
Landbouweekblad/SA Stud Book Elite 2022 Platinum Cow Awards
Only one cow per breed (per breeders’ society) can qualify for this prestigious award. These cows are recognised as the best of the best breeding cows recorded on SA Stud Book’s Logix system. Only cows that have already achieved Elite Gold status (seven or more calves, with strict minimum values for age at first calving, calf intervals between all calves, genetic merit for cow value, taking all aspects of profitability into account) are eligible. The cow that will produce the most profitable offspring represents her breed.
Table 3: The Elite Platinum Beef Cattle Cows for 2022.
Read more about the cows, their breeders, and their owners on pages 11 to 17 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
SA Stud Book National Elite 2022 Platinum Dairy Cow Awards
This award gives recognition to the best of the best dairy cows in South Africa (Table 4). Objective measurements and accompanying genetic merits are used to identify these high qualifying cows. Only one cow per (dairy) breed is eligible to receive this prestigious award.
Only cows that have already completed a fifth lactation are eligible. Each dairy breed has a custom selection index in which the genetic merit for profitability is calculated. These values, as well as milk solids production per day of life, are taken into consideration for this prestigious award.
Table 4: The National Elite Platinum Dairy Cow Awards for 2022.
Read more about the cows, their breeders, and their owners on page 37 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Unistel/SA Stud Book Elite National Developing Stud Farmer 2022
SA Stud Book and its breeders’ society members encourage new entrants to become fully-fledged members of the stud industry. Each year, recognition is given to one stud breeder from previously disadvantaged communities, who meets all aspects and strict requirements to be a fully-fledged stud breeder. All breeders’ societies are invited to submit nominations for consideration.
This year’s national developing stud breeder is Malcolm Malan, a Dormer breeder from Bloemfontein. He registered his stud and first Dormers in 2020. Malcolm set the goal to breed a flock of genetically superior sheep, based on the Logix Merit Index. Unistel’s sponsorship will enable him to expand the flock by purchasing additional stud animals.
Read more about Malcolm Malan on page 19 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Farmer’s Weekly/SA Stud Book National Mentor-Breeder 2022
Stud breeders are known to encourage and assist fellow farmers to farm successfully. SA Stud Book, in partnership with Farmer’s Weekly, gives recognition to a stud breeder who goes the extra mile to act as a mentor to new entrants. Breeders’ societies are invited to nominate candidates for this prestigious award.
Norton Thompson, a Bonsmara breeder from Komga, Eastern Cape, is a prime example of a stud breeder who actively assists new livestock farmers to become successful. His active role in sharing his knowledge and skills with new entrants in beef cattle breeding and production is legendary in his area.
Farmers’ days held by Norton focus on the developing sector and equipping these livestock farmers with the right tools and skillset for success. He also focusses on breeding the right animals by applying his breeding objectives with diligent measurement and recording.
Read more about Norton Thompson on page 21 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
RDB Consulting/SA Stud Book National Unique Achiever 2022
This award recognises the breeder or owner for a unique achievement that has made a significant impact on his or her breed or even stud breeding in general. The challenge is left to the SA Stud Booktechnical advisors to submit the nominations and motivations. This year’s RDB Consulting/SA Stud Book Unique Achiever of the Year award, and sought-after prize of an Intel Core i7 laptop, went to Lukas Eksteen of Bufland Boerdery in Limpopo.
Read more about Lucas Eksteen on page 19 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Vleissentraal/SA Stud Book National Elite Beef Cattle Herd 2022
Objective criteria are used to identify the best of the best stud breeders for beef cattle (Table 5). Ten beef herds are identified to be eligible as Elite National Platinum herds. These herds already had to have achieved Elite Gold status (top 10% on the SA Stud Book’s Logix system) for the current cycle of awards.
Criteria are based on the recording practices in the herd (completeness of measurements), reproduction performance (benchmarked with breed of the herd) and the average Logix genetic merit for profitability (mainly the cow value or Logix Merit Index). The National Elite Herd Awards take on a new dimension in 2022 by not only announcing the national winner, but also the herds in the second and third places.
The top honours for the Vleissentraal/SA Stud Book National Elite Beef Cattle Herd of 2022 went to the Gelibar Bonsmara herd of JG Viljoen and Sons in the Eastern Free State. The runner-up was a previous winner, Rhenostervallei Beefmasters of Dr Hendrik Meyer, while third place was awarded to the Rouvus Drakensberger herd of Gawie and Frik Roux.
Read more abour the Gelibar Bonsmara herd here.
Table 5: The National Elite Beef Cattle Herd 2022.
Read more about the herds and their owners on pages 31 to 35 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Vleissentraal/SA Stud Book National Elite Small Stock Flock 2022
Objective criteria are used to identify the best of the best stud breeders for small stock (Table 6). Ten small stock flocks are identified to be eligible as Elite National Platinum flocks. These flocks already had to have achieved Elite Gold status (top 10% on the SA Stud Book’s Logix system) for the current cycle of awards.
Criteria are based on the recording practices in the flock (completeness of measurements), reproduction performance (benchmarked with breed) and the average Logix genetic merit for profitability. The National Elite Flock Awards take on a new dimension in 2022 by not only announcing the national winner, but also the flocks in the second and third places.
The top honours for the Vleissentraal/SA Stud Book National Elite Small Stock Flock of 2022 went to the Kinko Dormer Flock of Johan Swart in the Western Cape. The runner-up was the RS Meintjes flock of Robbie Meintjes in the Northern Cape, with third place awarded to Kinko Merinos of Van As Brothers (Pty) Ltd in the Western Cape.
Table 6: National Elite Platinum Small Stock flocks 2022.
Read more about the flocks and their owners on pages 41 to of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Milk Herd 2022
Objective criteria are used to identify the best of the beststud breeders for dairy cattle. Six dairy producers are identified to be eligible as Elite Platinum herds. These herds already had to achieve Elite Gold status (top 10% dairy herds on SA Stud Book’s Logix recording system) for the current cycle of awards (Table 7).
Allocations are based on the recording practices (completeness of measurements), management performance (within breed), as reflected on objective measurable criteria, and the average Logix genetic merit for profitability.
The top honours for the Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Dairy
Cattle Herd of 2022 went to Limpopo Creamery of Joubert Fourie in Limpopo. The runner-up was the Kluitjieskraal Jersey Herd of AJ, JA and PJ Schoonwinkel in the Western Cape, with the third place awarded to EDE Farming, Holstein of Miles Stead, manager Poena van Niekerk, Mpumalanga.
Table 7: Elite Platinum Dairy Cattle herds 2019.
Read more about the herds and their owners on pages 38 and 39 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
SA Stud Book National Elite Genetic Dairy Herd 2022
Based on the genetic merit for profitability, the animal scientists at SA Stud Book identify the top dairy herds for each dairy cattle breed. The traits associated with female fertility, milk quality, udder health, maintenance, productive herd life and milk production are taken into account for this award.
Table 8: National Elite 2022 Genetic Dairy Herds.
Read more about the herds and their owners on page 40 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Horse Stud 2022
The Elite Platinum status is awarded to horse stud herds recordingwithSA Stud Book(Table 9). Objective criteria are applied based on correct recording practices, timely recordings, data integrity and participation in industry activities.
The top honours for the Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Horse Stud of 2022 went to Rooigras SA Boerperdstoet of Jan Joubert.
Table 9: Standard Bank/Telwiedré Voere/SA Stud Book Elite Platinum Horse Stud 2022.
Read more about the herds and their owners on page 44 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Stud for Other Species 2022
Elite Platinum status is awarded to studs of other species (Table 10), such as swine, game, dogs and others, recording with SA Stud Book. Objective criteria are applied based on correct recording practices, timely recordings, data integrity and participation in industry activities.
The top honours for the Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Stud Herd
Table 10: Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere/SA Stud Book National Elite Stud for Other Species 2022
Read more about the herds and their owners on page 45 of the April 2022 edition of SA Stud Breeder.
SA Stud Book’s Best Annual Breeders’ Society Report Award 2022
SA Stud Book, as a registering authority, encourages its members to not only comply with the requirements of the Animal Improvement Act, but to also provide an excellent service to their members. To give recognition to the breeders’ society which meets all the legal requirements and shows special effort with their annual report, including financial statements and management, SA Stud Book annually identifies the top annual report.
The best annual report awarded at the SA Stud Book/Standard Bank/Telwiedrè Voere 2022 Elite Gala prize-giving went to the Drakensberger Breeders’ Society of South Africa. Top contenders for the 2022 award were the Boran, Ille de France and Nguni breeders’ societies.
SA Stud Book President’s Award 2022
SA Stud Book also gave recognition to special individuals in the industry. Since 2018, SA Stud Book’s president annually bestows a President’s Award to a person or institution that has made a difference in the fortunes of SA Stud Book. Someone whose actions show loyalty and someone who acts in the interest of the association and what it stands for. This year, Danie Bosman was the worthy receiver of the SA Stud Book President’s Award for 2022.
It was a privilege for the president, executive council, top management and personnel of SA Stud Book to hand over this special award. The SA Stud Book President’s Award honours the selfless dedication, integrity and loyalty of the receiver. Characteristics and deeds serving as an example to each and everyone in the stud and related industries. The president of the South African Stud Book and Animal Improvement Association was privileged to give recognition to someone of this calibre, supporting our goals.
Danie has always had a passion for the livestock industry, and specifically animal breeding. This is evident in his lifelong commitment. As a young man, he already made a difference by applying the principles taught by his mentor, Jan Bonsma.
His in-depth knowledge of the adaptation mechanisms and functionalities of farm animals, and how objective measurements can be used for the effective breeding of livestock, has put him in a class of his own. His gentle yet firm approach steered the livestock industry, and especially the beef cattle industry, in the right direction.
Through his endeavours, performance measurement has become the norm and is common where breeding programmes of farm animals are applied. Even after retiring, Danie kept pace with the latest developments in animal breeding and kept SA Stud Book scientists engaged in innovative new insights, the processing and interpretation of data, the writing of articles and reports, as well as information and farmers’ days.
His passing earlier this year left a tremendous void in the livestock industry, including SA Stud Book and its members. For Koos Vosloo, president of SA Stud Book, and for the executive committee, members and staff, it is great honour to present the 2022 President’s Award (posthumous) to Danie. – Press release, SA Stud Book
