The “Co-ed” story
Rhodesian Farmer 13 February 1970
BEFORE GIVING some basic details of the Ruware system it cannot be stressed too strongly, that the owner of Ruware, Mr H Ian de la Rue, believes his methods must be applied with the greatest care and meticulous management. He is adamant that under-supervised early bulling, and uncontrolled herd management, could be completely disastrous and highly undesirable.
Running approximately 4,000 head of cattle on 80,000 acres in the Chiredzi area, Ruware Ranch has—over the last 10 years—bulled heifers from 12-15 months, using bulls of a similar age. These youngsters are called the “Co-eds”, and have aroused considerable interest in both technical and ranching circles during the past few years.
The Ruware view is that both heifers and bulls become more productive in later life, following such early bulling— provided that an adequate plan of nutrition is maintained. The ranch recognises that the heifer has to perform four tasks —the feeding of her calf, the continuation of her own growth, the capability of comings into calf again, and the general maintenance of her own well-being.
To avoid over-extension of the bulls, these are put in to the herds at a rate of approximately 10% bulls to heifers. Since the Ranch’s own bulls are used, little expense is involved. Normal heifer bulling is about 250-300 a year, and these require some 25 young bulls.
Over the years these young bulls are gradually reduced in numbers—generally to a level when perhaps 8 are left. No objection is seen to putting older bulls, from the previous year, to the heifers— but since there is a regular demand for Ruware ranch-bulls, unwanted bulls are usually sold.
Pure Heresy
Mr. de la Rue’s practices on Ruware include other methods which might be regarded as pure heresy among the conservative. In addition to the co-ed system, he mentions an open bulling season, the bulls remaining with their particular herd of cows for their lifetime; and the maintenance of a closed herd for 35 years.
Bulling of heifers at Ruware has normally been timed to have calving coincide with the rains—in December to March. Calves are thus weaned, at 7 months, in wintertime—usually around August.
In June, 1966, however—following the bulling or the sale of some 500 heifers— a balance of 110 animals was left. These weighed about 580 lbs., and were 12-15 months of age. Bulling these particular beasts meant that they would come into calf on a falling plane of nutrition, during the dry winter months. In addition they would be due to calve at the start of full dry season, in March or April.
Mr. de la Rue disliked the idea of holding these animals unbulled for some six months, until a more suitable in-calf and calving prospect would face the heifers. In consequence, the young animals were in fact bulled, and between July and November had their normal grazing supplemented.
At a cost of $4 per head, each animal received 1 ½ lb. of molasses (treacle); ½ lb. cotton cake; and ½ lb. salt mineral protein lick—a total of 2 ½ lb. per day for 120 days. Although Mr. de la Rue felt that 3 c.c. injections of Vitamin A might have been a useful addition to this treatment, this was not administered.
On June 1 the 110 heifers were run with 8 young bulls, weighing approximately 800 lbs. each. On March 1 the following year, the heifers were weighed before calving, and revealed an average weight of 880 lbs., the animals now being milk tooth or 2 tooth. Weighed before their second calving, on March 1, 1968, as 4 and 6 tooth beasts, they averaged 920 lbs.: and weighed before their 3rd calving— on February 1, 1969—they showed a median weight of 970 lbs. as full mouth animals.
It is interesting to note that these animals received no supplement until that mentioned above. Because of extreme drought, $2 worth of additional food was fed to each animal at the time of the second calving. First year weaners of seven months weighed 375 lbs., as compared with the normal herd weight of 415 lbs. Subsequent weaners were up to herd average or normal weight.
In addition these cows, 4 ½ years of age, had—in 1,600 days of life—grown to approximately 1,000 lbs. in weight, and had produced 3 weaners totalling 1,200 lbs. The aggregate production of each dam and calves was some 2,200 lbs.
Reactions
During 1969 a Field Day of the Major Ranchers Association was held at Ruware. Membership of this Association consists of those companies or individuals owning more than 10,000 head of cattle. Reactions from these leading ranchers to the Co-ed system obviously indicated that their imagination had been struck most forcibly.
After the Field Day, Mr. de la Rue received letters dealing with an aspect of Ruware’s activities which had been considered normal for many years.
These comments ranged from “Had I not seen your co-ed herds, I could not have believed that it was possible to introduce these youngsters to one another, and produce a calf before the female was 2 years old”; to:- “Your unorthodox and somewhat revolutionary production methods . . . were very interesting, and the cattle which you showed us were proof positive that your ideas can be applied with excellent results. I was particularly interested to see the effect of early and year round bulling on your stock, which were obviously fertile and functionally efficient.”
Another comment read—and this seems to sum-up the average visitor’s impressions—”As you say, you break all the known rules and regulations and commit every sin and crime, and, I may add, get away with it: We were, indeed, most impressed and learned a lot, and have certainly come away with something to think about.”
Ruware Cattle
Cattle at Ruware are described by their owner as hardy grade animals, about 70% Bos indicus and 30% taurus. Mr. de. la Rue believes that the very small indicus calf makes the early calving practicable— regardless of whether Brahman, Africander, Tuli, Shona and Nkone is involved. He is doubtful if taurus calves would give good results under the co-ed system, because of their greater build.
Results of heifer-calving at 2 years old, reported from Nebraska and. Oklahoma Agricultural stations, revealed 42 and 38% assisted births—figures which would be disastrous under ranching conditions. On the other hand, Ruware calving figures during the last two years for the co-ed herds indicate 600 heifers bulled, 550 calves, and three deaths in calving. Normal Ruware calving difficulties are considered to be 1 in 500.
Effects of early calving
Ruware results seem to confirm long-term studies at Oklahoma Agricultural station. There it was found that early calving had no detrimental effects on subsequent weaner weight, nor was the longevity of the cows affected. Like later calve, the early heifers attained a span of 14 years. Life production per cow was 9% higher for the early calvers (after allowance had been made for increased feeding costs—and Mr. de la Rue points out that the Oklahoma station considered that “with judicious culling this figure would rise.” Final cow weights were not significantly different.
Rhodesian Farmer understands that early bulling of indigenous Shona cattle has been the subject of successful experiments at Makaholi Research station, near Fort Victoria.
Mr. and Mrs. de la Rue have been ranching at Ruware for some 35 years, and Mr. de la Rue—to whom Rhodesian Farmer is indebted for the information contained in this article—is an old contributor to both Vuka and Farmer.
In his interview with us, Mr. de la Rue underlined continually the vital importance of proper management of any “co-ed” policy or practice.