Afrikaner

The Afrikaner, also called the Africander, is a South African Sanga cattle breed descended from the long-horned cattle kept by Khoikhoi pastoralists. It is usually red to reddish brown, with a muscular body, loose skin, a modest hump, and horns that sweep outward before turning upward. The breed matured under dry grassland and thornveld conditions, where animals had to walk, breed, and rear calves through heat and irregular feed. It later became an important foundation for southern African beef breeding, including composite programs such as Bonsmara.

Afrikaners are managed mainly as range beef cattle and breeding females are valued for fertility, mothering ability, and staying power on low to moderate inputs. They are not selected for dairy volume, though cows must milk well enough to raise strong calves. Horns, size, and a slower growth curve compared with some European beef breeds need to be considered in yard design and marketing. Crossbreeding is common, but maintaining pure Afrikaner lines supports a locally adapted genetic resource for hot, drought-prone regions.

Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Blaze Faced, Blue Roan, Brindle, Brockle Faced, Brown, Brown and White, Dun, Gray, Grey, Highbelt, Highpark, Lineback, Mottled, Pied, Red, Red and White, Red Roan, Riggit, Roan, Silver, Solid Black, Solid Red, Solid White, Speckled, Spotted, White, White Faced, Yellow