Measuring Ankole Horns

A Practical Guide For breeders who want accurate, reliable results in the field

By Daniel Naude & Sally Blaine

Measuring Ankole horns is one of the most common—and important—tasks for breeders. Good measurements add real value when marketing animals. The key is to keep the process simple, repeatable, and as accurate as possible.

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Horn size is a defining feature of Ankole cattle. Buyers pay attention to it, and breeding decisions often depend on it. If your measurements are inconsistent or inaccurate, it can affect credibility and pricing.

The goal is straightforward:

• Measure consistently
• Use the right tools
• Keep good records

Final Thoughts

Accurate horn measurement is a simple but valuable skill. Stay consistent, work calmly, and keep good records.

Remember — calm animals + consistent technique = accurate results. That accuracy pays off when it comes time to market your animals or evaluate your breeding program.

Good luck—and happy measuring.

Integrated Herd Health Management in Ankole Cattle:

A Practical Approach to Vaccination, Parasite Control, and Surveillance

By Dr Tinette van Wyk, ARC-Animal Production, Irene, South Africa

Introduction

Sustainable and profitable Ankole cattle production depends on a well-structured herd health program that goes beyond vaccination alone. While vaccination forms the backbone of disease prevention, optimal herd performance is achieved through the integration of parasite control, ongoing surveillance, and strategic seasonal management.

This article outlines a practical, field-applicable approach to combining vaccination programs with internal and external parasite control, tailored to Southern African conditions.

A Holistic Herd Health Strategy

An effective herd health system is built on four key pillars:

• Vaccination Programs
• Internal Parasite Control
• External Parasite Control
• Surveillance and Monitoring

These components must work together and not in isolation, to ensure optimal animal health, productivity, and sustainable production.

Surveillance

The foundation of decision-making is surveillance. Routine monitoring is often overlooked but is critical for informed management decisions.

• Annually test the whole herd for tuberculosis and brucellosis
• Conduct post-mortems on unexplained deaths
• Use blood smears for tick-borne disease diagnosis
• Perform body condition scoring (BCS) every 2–3 months
• Conduct external parasite monitoring
• Inspect animals every 2–3 weeks during high-risk seasons. Focus on predilection sites such as ears, tail switch, and underbelly
• Treat infestations promptly rather than waiting for scheduled treatments

Internal Parasite Monitoring and Control

Rather than relying on routine blanket dosing, producers are encouraged to implement:

Faecal Egg Counts (FEC)

• Every 2–3 months during summer
• Every 4–6 months during winter
• Focus on young stock and animals in poor condition

FEC results guide

• Whether treatment is necessary
• Which class of dewormer should be used
• Disease surveillance

Internal parasites remain a major production constraint in cattle systems.

Key parasites to monitor for are:

• Gastrointestinal roundworms (notably Haemonchus)
• Liver fluke in wet or marshy areas
• Coccidia in young calves

To minimize resistance and maximize effectiveness, dosing should be strategic:

• Late summer (Feb–March): Target peak worm burdens
• Early winter (May–June): Reduce carry-over infections
• Late winter/early spring (Aug–Sept): Prevent build-up before the rainy season

To control Liver Fluke in high-risk areas treat at the end of summer and mid-winter. Use appropriate flukicides and observe withdrawal periods.

Treating Calves

Give calves their first treatment at 6–8 weeks old. Repeat every 2–3 months until one year of age. During this period monitor for signs of coccidiosis (diarrhoea, straining to defecate, dehydration and reduced appetite), especially under stress conditions.

External Parasite Control

External parasites significantly impact productivity through irritation, disease transmission, and stress.

Tick Control

• Ticks are among the most economically important parasites in Southern Africa
• Summer (Oct–March): Treat every 2–3 weeks
• Winter: Treat only when necessary

To prevent resistance:

• Rotate acaricide classes regularly
• Implement fly and tick control
• Tick loads generally peak during warmer months
• Use pour-on’s, fly tags, or feed-through treatments where applicable

Lice Control

• Lice are most prevalent in winter
• Treat during mid-winter if infestations are detected
• Integrating with the vaccination program

Proposed Vaccination and Monitoring Calendar

To improve sustainable production, parasite control and surveillance should align with existing vaccination schedules. Proposed vaccinations and monitoring protocols per month are detailed below:

March

• Tuberculosis and brucellosis testing
• Add faecal egg counts and targeted deworming if required

April

• Clostridial and botulism vaccinations
• Combine with internal parasite control where necessary

May–June

• Lumpy skin disease vaccination period
• Implement winter deworming and monitor external parasites

August

• Rift Valley fever and other seasonal vaccinations
• Initiate pre-rain parasite control and increase tick monitoring

Key Management Considerations

Avoid:

• Routine blanket dosing without evidence
• Repeated use of the same deworming class
• Ignoring withdrawal periods

Implement:

• Rotation of deworming classes
• Quarantine protocols for new animals
• Regular monitoring and record-keeping

Conclusion

An integrated herd health program that combines vaccination, targeted parasite control, and continuous surveillance is essential for maintaining the resilience and productivity of Ankole cattle.

By shifting from routine treatments to evidence based, strategic interventions, producers can:

• Improve animal performance
• Reduce input costs
• Slow the development of drug resistance

Ultimately, this approach supports both economic sustainability and animal welfare, ensuring long-term success in Ankole cattle production systems.