The First Nguni Club in Australia
Endorsed by South Africa
Registration Eligibility and Regulations
The purpose of creating registration eligibility requirements is to set guidelines for the scientific breeding of Nguni cattle. The first step is to set a breeding objective that will maintain certain acceptable properties and standards of the breed, while at the same time improve on those where individuals do not fulfil the requirements that are needed.
The Nguni breed is recognised as a sub tropical and tropical adapted cattle breed that can be sustainably utilised in any livestock farming system. Recent research by Makina et al. (2016) and previous information on the metacentric Y-chromosome of the Nguni that is common with the of Bos Taurus, confirms that there is very little evidence of Bos Indicus in the modern day Nguni and they can therefore be described as taurine tropical adapted breeds, which makes them fairly unique. It is hypothesised that due to the zebu’s susceptibility to trypanosomiasis, that their genetic introgression has become limited or removed altogether, especially in eastern to western Africa where tsetse infestation is rife. The Nguni should therefore be classified as an adapted taurine breed type and not an indicine (Zebu) breed type. More specifically, 70% of Nguni ancestry is derived from African Taurine (Makina, 2016).
Nguni Australia has an overall objective of conservation of the breed. Specifically, we aim to conserve, regenerate, and enhance the phenotype and functional efficiency of the Nguni. Our aim is to only register Nguni animals that present the very best in Nguni genetics, phenotype, fertility and functionality. This will ensure optimal beef production from the natural vegetation whilst maintaining and developing the unique reproduction and production traits of the Nguni breed. Additionally, this objective will ensure that the Nguni is preserved for multiple generations to come. Furthermore, Nguni Australia is the ocial breed representative and patron of Nguni in Australia under The Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association (ARCBA). This places on to it, the responsibility to conserve, protect, and sustain (amongst others) the genetic integrity of Nguni Genetics that are both imported and exported to and from Australia.
Overall, the purity of indigenous African cattle breeds is under threat due to cross-breeding. Pure Nguni cattle numbers in South Africa for example, declined from1,800,000 in 1992 to 9462 in 2003. Here in Australia, the Nguni is considered at risk with 2022 statistics reporting around 350 head. African cattle breeds are in danger of extinction, 22% of African cattle breeds have already become extinct over the last century. Extensive cross-breeding, replacement with non indigenous African breeds, and social/environmental disasters have placed the Nguni at risk and it is up to modern day breeders to ensure that their unique genetic makeup is not lost completely.
With this in mind, Nguni Australia has strict guidelines about what animals they will register under their certification. We have based these requirements on scientific evidence, conservation guidelines, and genomic sequencing of the Nguni. Furthermore, we have used the registration guidelines set out by The South Africa Nguni Cattle Breeders Society. Once an Nguni’s pedigree is verified by Nguni Australia and registration eligibility is met, other breeders both domestically within Australia and Internationally can be assured that the registered Nguni in question is of high full blood standard. It is Nguni Australia’s vision that once these genetically superior animals are identified in the population, their widespread use as breeding stock will ensure rapid achievement of Nguni conservation and longevity of the breed. For those full blood Nguni that do not fully meet the criteria for Stud Nguni registration, but can prove their full blood genetic lineage, Nguni Australia will work along side the breeder to support them in either getting the animal or progeny of the animal to meet the criteria in the future by either making changes in husbandry, improvements in health, or improving genetics through superior sire breeding. Together, we can insure that the Nguni in Australia not only survives, but thrives.
Guidelines for Registration
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Complete Nguni Australia membership application.
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Join Agpro Technologies as a Grazier (upgraded membership)
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Join Nguni Australia Advisory Group
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Each Animal along with the required data and statistics is to be uploaded in Agpro
Technology for review and approval
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Complete Animal Registration Form and submit via email to Nguni Australia
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There are three levels of verification and certification available to member.
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Tier One: Calves under 18 months where paternal and maternal lineage can be proven to be Nguni, will be verified as full blood Nguni. Registration costs are free. Once verified, the breeder will receive a certificate outlining the animals pedigree.
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Tier Two: Animals over the age of 18 months are eligible for Stud Verification. To meet Nguni Stud Certification, the animal in question must meet the Phenotypic Requirements outlined below. Additionally, the animal must pass a visual inspection carried out by one of Nguni Australia’s registered Inspectors. If the animal meets these strict guidelines then it will be classified as Nguni Stud, included in the Nguni Stud book and will be promoted as excellent breeding stock, both domestically and internationally. Verified Stud Nguni will be given a Stud Certificate which includes a livestock report. Additionally, Stud Nguni will receive a Branded Metal Livestock Identification Tag. This ear tag is only available to Stud registered Nguni. Registration costs $10-00 (including gst) per head for Stud verification. Additionally, travel for visual inspection is at the breeders expense. Nguni Australia will work with the breeder to make travel expenses as affordable as possible.
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Tier Three: Those Stud Verified Nguni that meet Early Maturing Standards are eligible for Nguni Australia’s most prestigious verification. Registration Requirements for this prestigious certification are in review.
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Going forward, the breeder can partake in production recording through Agpro Technology if they choose to. We recommend keeping record of Fertility Statistics, Behavioural Statistics, and Growth Statistics.
Cross Breeding Verification
Nguni Australia does not register cross bred animals. This ensures that the conservation of the full blood Nguni genotype is our ultimate focus. There are however options for cross-breeders and commercial livestock producers who would like to register their herd. Specifically, a composite breed called the Solera has been developed internationally. The Solera Project is built on a globally connected framework of producers, services, production systems and methodologies that underpin global protein supply. Solera is represented in leading beef producing locations around the world. Specifically, participating Solera Co-operators can be found in Australia, USA, Argentina, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya & Zimbabwe. These co-operators service markets in Australia Indonesia, Singapore, UK & Europe.
What are Solera Cattle?
It has long been know that the best way to maximise hybrid vigour is to combine balanced, high performance animals in
which advanced genetic selections have occurred to improve feed conversion, carcass quality, phenotype, fertility and adaptability from each of the three distinct bovine genetic groups. New science following mapping of the Bovine genome and identification of the genetic isolation exhibited by Sanga cattle originating in Sub-Saharan Africa disconnected from Bos Indicus and Bos Taurus cattle for over 2000 years. This discovery has stimulated much discussion around inclusion of Sanga or Bos Africanus breeds (previously categorised as adapted Bos Taurus) into many other breeds to benefit from their contribution to hybrid vigour and fertility. Animals from proven, commercially relevant Bos Taurus breeds have been selected as acceptable Solera contributors.
Certain stable composite breeds established over the last century can be recognised as contributors of 2 parent groups and once crossed with the 3rd group can be registered as a Solera. Solera contributing animals must be drawn from Registered Purebreds or Solera accepted composites. F1 Solera's must be registered on AgPro with a verified pedigree and livestock identity for blockchain traceability and performance recording.
As part of your registration with Agpro Technologies and your membership with Nguni Australia, you are eligible for membership with Solera Advisory Group for not extra fee. To find out more about this avenue of registration, please do not hesitate to contact us.
