-inaugural Fat Stock on;
-national boran sale on the cards
-international judge coming;
By Conrad Mwanawashe
Acclaimed award winning Cattle JudgeP.J.Budler, is set to bring some international flare to the Zimbabwe Boran Breeders Society’s (ZBBS) inaugural Fat Stock Competition and 8th National Boran Sale, to be held on June 30 and July 1.
Budler, who is the founder of the Champions of the World has judged more than 80 different cattle breeds in more than 40 countries. In 2017 PJ became the first ever cattle judge to judge a National Show on all 6 continents.
The award winning cattle judge his vast experience which has seen him traverse the length and breadth of the world including the Hereford Show, Green Week, Berlin, Germany, Beefmaster Futurity Show, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Texas, USA, Red Brangus Show International Congress, San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, Covid-19-2020 Show, Champion of Champions, Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia and Republic of Udmurtia Beef Cattle Online Show, Izhevsk, Udmurtia, Russia.
In an exclusive interview with Maricho Magazine, ZBBS Committee Members, Mussolini Ganyo said the society is pleased with the preparations and quality of the animals due to be at the Fat Stock competition and the National Bull sale.
“This year is going to be very exciting. We are going to have our inaugural Fat Stock on June 30 a day before our National Boran sale. We are inviting abattoirs, butchery operators and individuals to come and buy the super-stock that will be available,” said Ganyo.
Mark Hook, ZBBS Chairman weighed in adding that to qualify for the competition, the age of the animal is considered.
“We have three classes; 0-2tooth – average age 22 months old, this is the traditional class Zimbabwe exported to the EU” said Hook.
Editor’s intervention: The age of an animal is often referred to by the number of permanent teeth. An animal with only milk teeth is called a ‘milk tooth’, an animal with two permanent teeth is a ‘2 tooth’ and so on until they have a full set of eight permanent teeth when they are said to be an ‘8 tooth’ or ‘full mouth. Source – https://futurebeef.com.au/resources/ageing-cattle-by-their-teeth/
“The next class is the 2-4 tooth, less than 30 months, this is still classed as Super-grade. Then we have the 4-6 tooth which are 30-36 months old and still qualifies as Super-grade” Hook added.
“On the Fat Stock we are inviting restaurants, abattoirs, butcheries, and indviduals to come and look for high quality meat.”
According to Hook, the Boran Society was resuscitated in 2006. The society promoted the breed throughout Zimbabwe resulting in its popularity.
Often referred to as “God’s gift to Cattlemen!”, the boran are very hardy, well adapted cattle for Zimbabwean conditions.
“The Boran are very versatile and do well in the Sweetveld of Matabeleland and the Highveld of Mashonaland. They are disease resistant, heat tolerant, very fertile and docile. So in a small-scale situation they are ideal to handle especially in the rural areas throughout Zimbabwe.
“We are now introducing the feedlot concept to Cattlemen throughout Zimbabwe. To further promote this idea we are holding our inaugural Fat Stock competition” said Hook.
The Zimbabwe Boran Breeders Society (ZBBS) falls under the Zimbabwe Herd Book Rules and Regulations, established by an Act of Parliament in 1981 to “oversee the registration of pedigree livestock”.
“Data to be submitted to ZHB, starts with birth notifications required within 60 days of birth. This includes date of birth, sex, Sire, and Dam. Progeny are then inspected by Society inspectors between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Animals that pass inspection are then moved from Calf Book into the ZHB Registry” said Hook.
Currently ZBBS has just over 100 members of which 60 have registered Boran cattle with the Zimbabwe Herd Book.
“It is important to understand that pedigree seed-stock breeding is the foundation of the national herd securing the quality of future generations. ZBBS and ZHB helps to ensure there is a strong and vibrant stud breeding community” he added.
The 8th National Boran sale will be held at the Harare CC Sales in Mount Hamden on Saturday July 1.
All entries are inspected by ZBBS inspectors before being accepted for the sale to ensure quality.
According to Ganyo, “Veterinary officers will ensure all animals on offer have undergone veterinary examination and inspection so that all the animals are free from diseases”
“Boran is the breed of the moment. We have so many enquiries from potential buyers including those from the diaspora who are very eager to participate. There is so much interest,” he added.
How to become a member
“One gets to become a member by joining ZBBS. More information can be obtained from our website https://www.boran.co.zw/. Email address boranzimbabwe@gmail.com and our social media pages,” said Hook.
