Buffalo Valley
Animals in Carolina

Buffalo Valley Stud, Buffalo Valley is a family business run by John & Lee Roos, Drakensbergers, Drakensberger Cow and Bulls.

The cows are a typical example of the medium-frame animal that can be farmed cost-effectively on natural veld grazing. Buffalo Valley came into being when John and a partner, both born and bred townsmen, entered farming with the purchase of a Highveld farm, with the aim of producing milk from the veld. (A decade or two, three, ago this was common practice throughout the country). These scientific norms formed, and still do, an integral part in the selection and development of the BV stud. Right from the beginning every young bull in the stud was subjected to Phase C growth tests in order to monitor the standing of the stud in respect to the breed. At the same time participation in shows was undertaken to phenotypically evaluate the breed purity of the animals. The Phase C test was later altered to an extensive, on the veld farm Phase D test after weaning. The farm is located in the mist-belt of the eastern Highveld. The summers are short, wet and cool, the winter’s dry and icy cold with frost from April to September. In consequence the natural grazing is sourveld with tulip infestation in the valleys. Neither the topography nor the climate is suitable for crop production. Established pastures, however, flourish remarkably well in this environment and are planted for the production of hay, which serves as a most important feed source during the cold winters. To breed a D rakensberger cow that produces a calf every year (that passes inspection by the Drakensberger Cattle Breeders Society Inspectors) without assistance from a vet or costly supplements. Our formula to success has been the fact that we specialize in only two things, viz. This may sound very elementary or simplistic, but the fact of the matter is that we have no crop production (maize, etc), no sheep, no nothing else but cattle. We breed the cattle, make hay for them and then see that their bellies are full whilst not neglecting fresh clean water daily. The BV Production Sale is our sole method of selling. We must stress that every animal bred by BV and put up for sale, carries the Buffalo Valley Guarantee, and is presented at our annual sale. our natural pasture, the veld, hence the selection of our females through natural selection off the veld, and our Sourveld Bull Project which was started many years ago in An extensive Phase D test on veld with a phosphate lick. This system has resulted in the development of medium framed, well-muscled animals over the years. This period can be seen as an adaptation period with a low A.D.G. After the Phase D they enter a veld phase with a protein lick. The bulls are selected on visual as well as performance data. We further categorize with regard to frame size and maturity type. The BV Sourveld Bull Project was one of the first Veld bull tests and at present one of the few real tests for bulls on the basis of veld. Veld bull sales become more popular every year, thus our determination to do more and more testing on the veld. Our selection is already done on the basis of the veld. We will continue to promote our Sourveld Bull Project annually as we once again emphasize the fact that the BV bulls are tested on the veld whilst our females are selected from the veld. Parasites, diseases, harsh climatic conditions, official and unofficial government policies and other disparagers all have failed to put them down. Both breeds are making contributions to the cattle industry in South Africa.