Bonsmara extravaganza ahead

BONSMARA fans are in for a host of events revolving around the fastest growing cattle breed in Namibia.

The Namibian Bonsmara Cattle Breeder’s Association hosts their annual breed promotion day this coming Friday in Windhoek.Then, next week, in the run up to the Mega Bonsmara annual auction, an information day is being held in Hochfeld on 23 August under the theme ‘breeding values in farmer’s terms’.The Mega Bonsmara auction itself takes place on September 21 at the Namboer Hochfeld auction facility. Bonsmara Breed promotion dayOn Friday, the annual breed promotion day will be held at the Agra ring in Windhoek. According to the breeder’s association, the breed promotion day offers participants the opportunity to listen to a number of experts present insightful presentations on the breed. Bonsmara are the fastest growing breed in Namibia according to the Bonsmara breeder’s association. As a result, the association says there is a responsibility to make sure that ‘quality animals are made available at affordable prices. In addition, continuous training of the farming community is vital, which is one of the main goals of the promotion day on Friday.The programme on Friday will feature Dr Japiue van der Westhuisen and Charl Hunlun from SA Studbook, who will ‘prove that Bonsmara is the breed with by far the most animals that are performance tested’. Moreover, livestock experts will hold talks around the subjects of BLUP breeding values and physical examinations.According to the Bonsmara association, one of the top presentations on the day is one given by Gerrit van Zyl, a well-known Bonsmara stud breeder from South Africa who present his findings on low cost genetics.Entrance and registration for Friday’s Namibian Bonsmara Cattle Breeder’s Association breed promotion day is free of charge. Attendance can be confirmed with Marinda at 061 – 22 2753 or nambons@iway.na. For more information visit www.bonsmaranamibia.com.naMega BonsmaraThe Mega Bonsmara Information day to be held next Tuesday at Hochfeld will offer participants the chance to listen to Professor Willie van Niekerk, who will be on hand to ‘give practical advice on the feed requirements of different animals on a farm in our every changing climate’. In addition, visitors and farmers can enquire about vitamin supplements, minerals, trace elements and parasite control. Arthur de Villiers, a well-known breeder from South Africa, will handle the practical part of the day on Tuesday. The Mega Bonsmara annual auction is set to take place in September 21 at the Namboer Hochfeld auction facility. Forty-five registered Bonsmara bulls will be up for auction, as well as 250 female animals and a number of Bonsmara crossbreeds. Mega Bonsmara is a consolidated venture by Bonsmara breeders in the east of Namibia. For more information on the Mega Bonsmara events contact Hella Coetzee at coetzee@iseek.co.za

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