Page 45 - VHSA - Onderstepoort 100 Years - Part 1

ONDERSTEPOORT 100
JC. Bonsma was one of the first South African scientists to observe the superior resistance of indigenous breeds of South African cattle, such as the Afrikaner – a primarily Sanga-type of
Bos taurus – to tick-borne diseases like heartwater and tick-infestations in the field in 1944. Bonsma not only promoted the use of Sanga breeds of cattle by South African beef farmers but also developed a new breed by crossing Afrikaner cattle with other breeds, the new breed becoming known as Bonsmara.
A.M. Spickett was first to compare the resistance of Nguni (an indigenous Sanga breed), Bonsmara and Hereford cattle to infestation with B. microplus ticks experimentally at Onderstepoort. The Nguni proved to be highly resistant and the Bonsmara intermediately resistant, whereas the Hereford was highly susceptible. Useful criteria for further improvement of genetic
tick resistance in the Nguni and Bonsmara breeds were identified.
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Diversification and change (1980-1998)
1908-2008
Years