**3. Functional efficiency and cow size in semi-arid regions**

The Bonsmara cattle breed and the concept of "breeding for functional efficiency" was coined by [8], and this concept is effectively employed by the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders Society of South Africa. The Bonsmara is now one of the predominant beef cattle breeds in Southern Africa (>100,000 registered animals; see [27]), and it was created based on a 5/8 Afrikaner and 3/8 Exotic (Shorthorn/Hereford) breeding admixture [8]. Considerable emphasis was placed on the adaptability of the breed. The functional efficiency concept is based on the presumption that selection for phenotypic traits that influence an animal's ability to adapt to the environment, will improve the animal's ability to express its reproductive and productive potential. It was also commonly presumed that specific types or sizes of cattle are better adapted to specific production regions than animals of a different size or type, but this concept was only verified for beef cattle in Southern Africa in a recent study [22].

The natural variation in size of the same species of wild animals occurring in different locations is an indication that nature defines the "right" genetic material for efficiency in different ways in different environments [20]. The influence of production region on cattle production has been investigated by [23], and the notion of an optimal size for a specific environment was previously proposed by several other researchers [8, 11, 17, 20, 24].

The study by [22] which includes records of ca. 12,500 fully registered Bonsmara cows representative of a 20 year period, confirmed that bioregions (Central bushveld, Eastern Kalahari bushveld, Dry Highveld grassland, and Mesic Highveld grassland) in South Africa significantly influenced the size of beef cows, and also confirmed the existence of an optimal mature cow size in different geographical regions of Southern Africa (**Figure 1**). These findings confirm the importance of the identification of production regions and characterization of optimal body size per region, in order to determine the most suitable areas to purchase breeding animals from, maximize genetic gains and improve production efficiency. A regional livestock classification system was previously published by [25] as illustrated in **Figure 2**, in which areas suitable for different types of livestock were identified.

Biological and environmental features that influence the regional adaptation of livestock as published by [25], remain as valid in modern livestock production, as 60 years ago namely:


• The relation between the nutritional requirement of different classes of livestock during

Effect of Bioregion on the Size and Production Efficiency of Bonsmara Cattle in Semi-Arid Parts…

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72713

45

• Geographical and physical features of the various regions and their potential for providing favorable conditions of nutrition in order to promote the optimal expression of the animal's

• Information on the distribution of enzootic and epizootic diseases in relation to physical

Most pedigree breeds of cattle have a hierarchical breeding structure (**Figure 3**), in which elite breeders furnish breeding material to each other and to middle order breeders. Middle order breeders in turn sell breeding material among themselves and to the lower group of breeders (also referred to as multiplier breeders), but seldom sell animals back to the elite breeders [26]. Analysis of the breed structure of the Bonsmara breed indicates that the combined genetic contribution of elite breeders constitute as much as 30.4% of the genetic composition of this breed. This means that elite breeders have a large influence on the genetic make-up of cattle breeds, which directly affects the types of cattle kept by multiplier and commercial

successive stages of their existence, as well as their reaction to the climate.

and biological factors which promote the spread of, or assist in its control.

productive ability.

**Figure 2.** Livestock production areas of South Africa [25].

breeders.

**Figure 1.** Effect of geographical region on the mean cow size of Bonsmaracows in Southern Africa.

Effect of Bioregion on the Size and Production Efficiency of Bonsmara Cattle in Semi-Arid Parts… http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72713 45

**Figure 2.** Livestock production areas of South Africa [25].

bushveld, Dry Highveld grassland, and Mesic Highveld grassland) in South Africa significantly influenced the size of beef cows, and also confirmed the existence of an optimal mature cow size in different geographical regions of Southern Africa (**Figure 1**). These findings confirm the importance of the identification of production regions and characterization of optimal body size per region, in order to determine the most suitable areas to purchase breeding animals from, maximize genetic gains and improve production efficiency. A regional livestock classification system was previously published by [25] as illustrated in **Figure 2**, in

Biological and environmental features that influence the regional adaptation of livestock as published by [25], remain as valid in modern livestock production, as 60 years ago namely:

• Hereditary differences between the characters determining the productivity of various

• The fundamental physiological phenomena of growth, development, reproduction and

**Figure 1.** Effect of geographical region on the mean cow size of Bonsmaracows in Southern Africa.

which areas suitable for different types of livestock were identified.

types of livestock.

44 Ruminants - The Husbandry, Economic and Health Aspects

production.


Most pedigree breeds of cattle have a hierarchical breeding structure (**Figure 3**), in which elite breeders furnish breeding material to each other and to middle order breeders. Middle order breeders in turn sell breeding material among themselves and to the lower group of breeders (also referred to as multiplier breeders), but seldom sell animals back to the elite breeders [26]. Analysis of the breed structure of the Bonsmara breed indicates that the combined genetic contribution of elite breeders constitute as much as 30.4% of the genetic composition of this breed. This means that elite breeders have a large influence on the genetic make-up of cattle breeds, which directly affects the types of cattle kept by multiplier and commercial breeders.

**Figure 3.** Pedigree breed hierarchy [26].
