Cattle

Form follows function

By Staff Writer / January 12, 2026 /

The philosophy of purpose over aesthetics George Hulme of Pungeni Nkone stud speaks with the clarity of someone who has spent decades observing cattle navigate the unforgiving landscape of Zimbabwe.…

Data-driven cattle breeding: Transforming century-old operations through systematic measurement

By Staff Writer / December 16, 2025 /

Based on a presentation by Sonja Schneider at the 2025 Zimbabwe Herd Book Beef School About Okamutombe Farm Operating in Namibia’s challenging 410mm median rainfall environment, the Schneider family has maintained…

Basics of veld management: A practical guide for cattle farmers

By Staff Writer / December 1, 2025 /

By Dr D.M. “Mick” Gammon The cattle farmer has been blessed with the most wonderful crop: grass. It requires no cultivation, no planting, no fertilisation, and no weeding or disease…

The benefits of crossbreeding in beef cattle

By Staff Writer / November 3, 2025 /

By Prof. Esté van Marle-Köster (PhD Pr. Anim. Sci) This week we share another of the excellent topics presented at Zimbabwe Herd Book’s annual Beef School. Crossbreeding is a smart…

The evolution of Zimbabwe’s stockfeeds industry

By Staff Writer / October 27, 2025 /

By Rowan Hayter Zimbabwe’s stockfeeds industry has undergone remarkable transformation over the past decade, with total feed production surging by 62% since 2016. However, beneath this impressive growth figure lies…

Koala Park’s beef production and dual backgrounding system

By Staff Writer / October 6, 2025 /

At the Zimbabwe Herd Book‘s 13th Beef School recently held in Bulawayo, cattle producers and industry stakeholders gathered to explore innovative approaches to cattle production that are transforming the local…

Zimbabwe Herd Book announces exciting small stock addition to upcoming Beef School

By Staff Writer / September 9, 2025 /

From September 16-18, the Zimbabwe Herd Book (ZHB) will host its annual Beef School in Bulawayo. The choice of Bulawayo as the venue reflects the city’s central role in Zimbabwe’s…

Dirk Odendaal receives CFU Farming Oscar Award 2025

By Staff Writer / September 1, 2025 /

The Commercial Farmers’ Union has announced Dirk Odendaal as the recipient of the 2025 Farming Oscar Award, recognising his outstanding service to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector spanning over four decades. The…

Brahmans maintain dominance as Zimbabwe’s breed of choice

By Staff Writer / August 11, 2025 /

Zimbabwe’s cattlemen continue to show their preference for Brahman cattle, as demonstrated at the 57th National Breed Sale that concluded in late July. The numbers tell the story of the…

Zimbabwe dairy legend Christopher “Stoff” Hawgood receives 2025 ZADF Oscar award

By Staff Writer / July 28, 2025 /

The Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) has honoured Stoff Hawgood with the prestigious 2025 Dairy Oscar Award for his exceptional contribution to Zimbabwe’s dairy industry. The award was presented…