Our Story
Suikerbos Bonsmaras was built on a simple conviction, that excellence is bred, not bought.
The van Deventer family's connection to Bonsmara cattle goes back to the mid 1980s, when Nick van Deventer's father took up the breed. Nick registered Suikerbos Bonsmaras as a stud in 2023, built on some of the best genetics available in South Africa.
The herd is bred from exceptional mothers, functional, easy fleshing, with a high calving ease and weaning score. Suikerbos breeds for cattle that score high on breeding values and still wean a strong calf every year. The aim is not the largest or fastest growing animal, but the most profitable one per hectare, a good balance between weight gain and feed consumed, with fertility held to the same high standard.
Boshof and the Molopo
The stud herd is divided between the North Western Free State, around Boshof and Christiana, and the Molopo area of the Thlakgameng district in the North West. The commercial herd is bred and run in the Thlakgameng area of the Molopo too. The cattle are bred in the same conditions they are expected to perform in, which is the foundation of their resilience.
Breeding Resilience
Our breeding is guided by one idea: resilience. We select for cattle that thrive without intervention, because those are the cattle that make money for the people who buy them.
Fertility, growth, calving ease, and milk are not negotiable. Every cow is selected for a well balanced pedigree, and matched with the right bull to breed calves that carry the same standard forward.
The Bonsmara
The Bonsmara was developed in South Africa for African conditions. It is trusted for fertility, adaptability, an even temperament, and the ability to hold condition on natural veld. These are the qualities that make it one of the country's leading beef breeds.
The Herd and Genetics
- Bloodlines. Built over the years on SYF, AG, SBJ, AH, and LAR genetics, with the herd founded from the SYF 17‑256, LAR 16‑093, LAR 17‑467, and AG09‑691 bloodlines.
- Herd size. 250 proven stud cows, with the best of each year's offspring selected for private sale or the annual auction.
- Registration. Registered with Bonsmara SA and the SA Stud Book, member number 0717610000.
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