The choice of the correct bull is one of the most important decisions a Bonsmara farmer will ever make. At Buckridge Bonsmaras, bull selection isn’t just a task; it’s a purpose-driven art.

With a strong focus on genetic excellence, functional adaptability and long-term productivity, every bull plays a pivotal role in building a better herd and providing the assurance of sustainable profitability.

The bull’s impact over generations

Bulls influence the herd significantly more than one realises. While a cow only produces one calf annually, a bull can deliver between 35 and 50 calves per annum. That means the genetic influence of a single bull is far-reaching and has a long-lasting presence, a factor that determines your herd’s future achievement and genetic composition.

Frans Seevinck, owner of Buckridge Bonsmaras, explains: “When you purchase a bull, it can easily take three years before his full contribution to the herd will be seen. Firstly, the calves are only evaluated after a year. After that, the female offspring starts to reproduce, and only after seven months, when those calves have been weaned, can we fully measure the impact of the bull. Patience is essential; these results can’t be achieved overnight.

Genetics and breeding values

The successful choice of a bull starts with genetics. “Bloodlines and pedigrees are of cardinal importance to ensure that the bull passes the desired traits to his offspring,” Frans says. At Buckridge, breeding values are comprehensively analysed to support the herd’s growth and fertility goals. This practice isn’t only about today’s bull, but about the health and productivity of the herd over many years and in the future.

Key traits of Buckridge bulls

Buckridge Bonsmaras choose bulls that are functionally effective. In the Kalahari, where mobility is a prerequisite, bulls must move easily without putting stress on the herd. Other priorities include carcass quality, meat-bearing traits, good conformation, health and temperament. “We developed a management programme with our veterinarian. Bulls are vaccinated regularly, receive stimulus feeding and new bloodlines are strategically introduced through genomic tests and planned matings,” says Frans.

Evaluation and certification

Each bull that is presented at an auction undergoes a strong selection process. Data, kraal reports and genetic evaluation help identify strengths and weaknesses. Performance testing and certification, including fertility tests by vets, aren’t optional; each bull must have a valid fertility certificate.

Bulls to look out for during the coming production auction

SFM 23-13

SFM 23-13 hails from the SYF Molopo embryo programme. An early-maturing bull with excellent balance, breadth, depth and capacity with a good midsection, especially rib spring. He has a well-balanced growth value of 120. His mother was an excellent “golden oldie” cow from the Syferfontein herd. His father was the well-known SYF 17-256 that has already made significant contributions in various herds, among others, Buckridge.

SFM 23-12

SFM 23-12 is the full brother of SFM 23-13 from our embryo programme. He is a bull with remarkable capacity, depth and balance – as well as well-balanced selection values.

BF 23-201

BF 23-201 is a dark red bull with good balance, an attractive topline, as well as tailhead attachment. He is a functional correct bull with a good sheath and testes. This myostatin normal bull has a calving ease of 121, which makes him extremely suitable for covering heifers. His father is the foundation bull SYF 17-256, and his mother is BF 14-416, an exceptionally fertile cow with a calving period of 370 over eight calves.

BF 23-17

BF 23-17 is one of the most beautiful SYF 17-256 sons we’ve ever bred from the Buckbridge herd. He is an early-maturing bull with excellent balance, depth and capacity. His mother, BF 20-196, is a daughter of V 15-338, bred by Hannes van den Burg – V 15-338 also made a huge impact on the Buckbridge herd.

These four bulls are all sons of SYF 17-256. SFM 23-13 and SFM 23-12 are full brothers from the SYF Molopo embryo breeding programme.

Client service and future vision

Buckridge Bonsmaras believes that purchasing a bull is merely the beginning. They support clients with personal inquiries and farm visits. “Bulls play a critical role in the genetic improvement of herds. Our goal is to breed bulls that are functionally efficient, with high carcass and meat values. Sustained improvement and economic sustainability are crucial for our clients,” Frans says.

Advice to cattle farmers

The correct bull choice lays the foundation for successful and sustainable cattle farming. Choose a bull that will suit your herd’s needs, and you’ll see healthy growth and improved herd performance over generations,” Frans concludes.