As 2010 draws to its close we look back, give thanks to God, and marvel at how much has been accomplished and established in our Tuli Cattle Stud breeding project. The calves born in 2009 have thrived this year, with only one serious case of heartwater, which required much prayer and a jugular injection – amazing to see how quickly Suede  recovered from her ordeal. They give our family so much pleasure when we visit them in the veld. Fluffy found the sunglasses intriguing and ran off with them….it took quite a chase to retrieve them !

Fluffy (DT 09 2)

December 2009 saw the herd divided between our two bulls for the breeding season. Samson (DT 7 11) and Simon (DT 7 21) served the herd well and produced 12 calves between them. This year’s crop is 7 bull calves and 4 heifers. Sadly, one little bull calf only lived for one day. We were taken completely by surprise when PS 01 56 produced twin bulls in early October and we had to appeal for help from our friend, Dave Cawthorn in Stutterheim, as the cow did not accept both calves. It is such  a blessing to be able to say that the little bull is thriving in foster care and his twin is also growing apace. (Bless you, Dave!)

Next Easter we are expecting calves from the first-calver Tuli heifers which have come to us from Werner Gouws, in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng. They have adapted well to life at the coast and Samson zealously takes care of them!

Samson (DT 07 11)

Simon has been delegated to produce progeny for our commercial herd next year – he thinks he’s died and gone to heaven and the ladies are suitably impressed !

Simon (DT 07 21)

In the Spring of 2011 the calves will be the progeny of our new bull, Benjamin (GNC 08 18), who is the sire for this breeding season. He hails from Dave Cawthorn’s Horseshoe Tuli Stud in Stutterheim. Whenever he and his herd are brought to the kraal for attention, he trumpets his arrival and departure in fine style