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History and Overview

The PinZ²yl (pronounced “Pin-Zyl”) is a composite breed, combining the naturally selected traits of the Nguni, with the performance and production of the Pinzgauer. It is an economical and low maintenance animal adapted to extensive African conditions yet able to annually wean a calf thus ensuring productivity and economic sustainability of the breeder. After the PinZ²yl had been gazetted as a breed under evaluation on 2 October 2009, the PinZ²yl had been gazetted as a registered breed on 23 December 2022.

General Description

The PinZ²yl is medium-framed, fertile, tick and tick-borne disease resistant, hardy and veld adopted breed with excellent temperament. Genetically, the breed combines the hardiness, longevity and fertility of the indigenous Nguni with the docility, longevity, production capabilities and carcass traits of the Pinzgauer. Bulls are protective, with a healthy libido. Cows are carefully selected for amongst others excellent mothering abilities and good milk capacity. Smaller calves ensure and maintains the ability to easily calve, as preferred in cattle farming. The higher milk yield produces a healthier and heavier weaner calf, with the ability to provide milk for a household whilst maintaining condition. The skin is thick and pigmented, making the breed heat and light tolerant. The short, smooth coat has unique spotted patterns similar to the Nguni, an added bonus as a very sought-after, valuable product. The PinZ²yl are readily and easily adapted and thrive in all climates found in Southern Africa. The PinZ²yl thrives in the barren Karoo and the cold Eastern Cape, the ordinarily wet Western Cape, the mountainous Kwa-Zulu Natal, the open plains of the Free State to the grasslands of the Northern Cape and the extensive conditions in Limpopo.

Breed Positioning

The PinZ²yl is a veld adapted breed with low maintenance and management cost, improving on milk and carcass yield whilst being able to produce in extensive conditions. De-horned or polled, the breed is more acceptable to the commercial feedlot system. The breed is excellent foragers, grazing and browsing under extreme conditions in the veld able to produce progeny annually, whilst it retains the ability to perform well in the feedlot. Tests indicate commercially viable weaning weights, weight gain and feed conversion ratios. The PinZ²yl adds value to any commercial and/or emerging breeding system being a dual-purpose breed, with beef and milk traits, adding more weight to weaner steers and more milk to replacement heifers

Short Description of the Breed

Classification: Composite Bos Taurus/ Bos Indicus (Zebu/Sanga)

Type: Dual purpose, beef and milk

Sexual maturity: Early

Polled/horned: Both

Colour: Uniquely patterned

Coat: Smooth

Skin: Thick, pigmented

Performance testing: Yes

National registered herd size 2019: 948

Objectives

To encourage the breeding and improvement of the genetic production potential of PinZ²yl cattle by exercising the powers and duties vested in the Club in terms of the Livestock Improvement Act and laying down of a national policy for the importing and exporting of PinZ²yl cattle, semen and ova;
To maintain the purity of PinZ²yl cattle and to use all possible and available means to promote interest in the breed;
To keep and maintain proper records of data of PinZ²yl cattle and their progeny by means of available technology;
To collect and process Performance data of PinZ²yl cattle and to set standards which can be used as a basis for selection and as minimum registration standards, as well as thus to identify and eliminate problems in the breeding of PinZ²yl cattle;
To carry out research and promotion in connection with PinZ²yl cattle.