About us
In 1998, seventeen Bonsmara breeders from the Vryburg area entered 51 bulls for an on-field test. From the outset it was clear that the field test did not ask who the breeder was – if a bull did not have hardiness and adaptability, it did not make it to the pole. The number of breeders who entered bulls for the test decreased drastically – something one understands about: Bulls that might otherwise have made auctions had to be slaughtered.
Yet four bittersweet men had the courage of their conviction and pushed through! They were the founders of the Proveld Bonsmara Group. Over the approximately 25 years of the group’s existence, other breeders who share the founding members’ vision have joined the group and also left it to where the members currently consist of four stud members. Nowadays, about 80 Bonsmara bulls a year are tested at Proveld of which about 35% do not make it to the mast in the rigorous test. Those that do pass the test are offered at Proveld’s auctions that take place annually on the second Wednesday of February and June.
Where there were 12 bulls sold at the first field bull auction in 1999, Proveld has been selling about 60 bulls a year in recent years.
Some factors that distinguish a Proveld bull:
- Each of the members of the group selects bulls that show promise for entry in the field bull test. Selected bulls are tested against each other as a result
- Bulls walk together in one group on the test farm.
- Bulls are tested under the same conditions as under which females must perform on the field.
- Bulls need to prove themselves on the field with only a supplement.
- Bulls are prepared on the field for auctions and, as a result, are fit and ready to work on the day of the auction.
- No fat deposition occurs in scrotum neck.
- The size of the groups tested against each other ensures that their result carries more weight than, for example, a test in which only ten bulls are tested against each other.
- A wide variety of sires’ sons are tested against each other.
- Members have the opportunity to use exceptionally performing bulls for a season or two before they go on sale. Buyers are given the opportunity to acquire these “Flagship” bulls and from their offspring, thereby establishing in their own herds the genes that ensure hardiness and adaptability.
- So when it comes to buying a bull, buy a bull that can take care of itself on the field and …
PROFIT OFF THE FIELD!
The Bonsmara Tradition
Bonsmara history overview
Bonsmara had its origins at the Mara and Messina research stations between 1937 and 1963, under the watchful eye of Prof Jan Bonsma. Bonsmara soon enjoyed world-renowned status as the only meat breed in the world, which was developed through a fully documented cross-breeding program ─ with the help of objective recording of performance data. Visual evaluation according to the norms for functional efficiency was implemented from the beginning, and is still strictly enforced.
The name is derived from Prof Bonsma’s surname (Bonsma) and the name of the Mara research station (Mara), where the first crossbred calf was born. Prof Bonsma and his colleagues continuously launched intensive crossbreeding trials in almost 20 commercial studs in different parts of South Africa, to finally find the best performing crossbreeding trial of 5/8 Afrikaner and 3/8 Exotic Hereford/Shorthorn.
Photo:Prof Jan Bonsma.
The establishment of Bonsmara S.A. association
This led to the formation of the Bonsmara SA Cattle Breeders’ Association in 1964. Bonsmara is widely spread throughout South Africa and other African countries that soon adopted Bonsmara include; Namibia, Uganda and Zambia in. The international beef industries of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia, the USA and Uruguay soon followed.
Proveld to the test
In 1998, seventeen Bonsmara breeders from the Vryburg area entered 51 bulls for a test on the field. From the outset it was clear that the field test does not ask who the breeder is – if a bull did not have hardiness and adaptability, he did not make it to the pole. The number of breeders who entered bulls for the test has drastically decreased – something that one can understand: Bulls that would otherwise possibly make it to auctions had to be slaughtered.
However, four bitter enders had the courage of their conviction and pushed through! They were the founders of the Proveld Bonsmara Group.
Proveld first auction
Where 12 bulls were sold at the first veld bull auction in 1999, Proveld offered 50 bulls during their 2007 October auction and achieved a 100% sales figure.
A bright future!
Over the approximately 24 years of the group’s existence, other breeders who share the founder members’ vision have joined the group until the members currently consist of five stud members. Thirteen commercial breeders have also affiliated with the group as commercial members. Nowadays, approximately 250 Bonsmara bulls are tested per year at Proveld, of which approximately 35% are slaughtered because they do not pass the tough test. Those that do pass the test are offered at Proveld’s auctions which take place annually on the second Wednesday of February and June and the penultimate Wednesday of October.
