The world’s oldest known Boran cow, KB5X, has died at the remarkable age of 22 – a record lifespan for cattle.
By Marise Schoonraad, journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
KB5X, also known as KB, spent her final years on the farm Welkom in Dewetsdorp in the Free State, owned by Zippo Lamprecht of the Bloodline Boran stud.
She belonged to Radie Loubser of the Umoja Boran stud in Dewetsdorp, and came to Welkom following a 2018 agreement between the two farmers that allowed Radie’s cattle to graze on Zippo’s land.
Radie bought KB from Bokkie Kritzinger of Tulpieskraal in the Joubertina district in the Eastern Cape. He says when he first saw the cow and her offspring, he recognised the strength of her genetic potential.
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From Zambia to the Free State
KB came from the Grasmere breeding line of Boran cattle. In 2003, when she was still a calf, she was among a group of cattle from this line flown from Zambia to Eswatini on a Russian aircraft, before being brought to South Africa, Zippo says.
Boran cattle are known for their exceptional longevity. What made KB particularly special, he says, was that she played an important role in establishing the breed in South Africa.
Zippo says he had earlier bought one of KB’s bull calves, which is how he came to know about her. After the 2018 agreement between him and Radie, KB settled permanently on Welkom.
During her lifetime, KB produced 69 calves through natural breeding and embryo transfer. She retained the condition of a much younger cow throughout her life, Zippo says.
Boran Cattle Known for Resilience and Longevity
Radie says KB remained fertile until old age and never even had problems with her teeth. Eventually, however, age caught up with her.
He describes the Boran breed as hardy, intelligent and exceptionally resilient. The breed developed about 1 500 years ago through natural selection, with survival of the fittest shaping its characteristics over time.
It is a low-risk, low-maintenance animal that is easy to farm with, he says. These cattle are tough, locally adapted and built to last.
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