Nguni Cattle: Characteristics, Uses, and Complete Breed Information

Nguni cattle are particular to southern Africa, where they are used for milk and meat production and are also used as draft animals. It is actually a hybrid of various Indian and later European cattle breeds.

The ancestors of these animals were introduced during the migration of Bantu-speaking tribes from North Africa to South Africa between 600 and 1400 AD.

Since then, these animals have played an important economic and social role in the development of these societies. And the nguni cattle are used in society as a bride’s dowry.

The number of animals kept in a village or an individual largely determined their importance to the rest of the world. The Zulu King Shaka understood the economic and cultural importance of these animals.

And he took control of the Nguni herds on his domain. Today, the breed is still used as a draft animal and for milk and meat production.

But the Nguni cattle breed is becoming increasingly popular as a beef cattle breed under reasonable conditions. Learn more about the breed below.

Characteristics of nguni cattle

Nguni cattle are medium-sized animals that vary in color and pattern. They are easily distinguished by their multicolored skin. Their colors and patterns include brown, black, mottled, golden yellow, mottled, or white.

Cows have small bumps, which are almost non-existent. Bulls have well-developed rounded cervico-thoracic tubercles that are more muscular than fat. Bulls and cows usually have horns and their noses are always black-tipped.

Cows weigh on average 300 to 400 kg. And the average body weight of bulls ranges from 500 to 600 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.

Advantages

Nguni cattle are versatile animals. They are used for milk and meat production and are also used as draft animals.

Special Notes

Nguni cattle are very hardy and strong animals. They are known for their fertility and disease resistance and are a favorite breed among the local Bantu-speaking population in Southern Africa. They are popular in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Nguni cattle are also heat and light tolerant and well adapted to the African environment over the years. They are also known for their obedient behavior and good temperament.

They have excellent tick resistance and immunity to tick-borne diseases, and they are less prone to dystocia. They are excellent foragers and browse and graze both on steep slopes and in dense thickets. However, see the full breed profile of Nguni cattle in the following table.

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Breed nameNguni
another nameeverything
Purpose of the breedMilk, Meat, Draft
Special NotesHardy, hardy, fertile, disease resistant.
Breed sizemedium
Bulls500 600kg
cows300 400kg
climatic toleranceAll climates
coat colorMany different colors and patterns
hornedYes
milk productionMedium
scarcitygeneral
Country/place of originAfrica
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