BONSMARA CATTLE
PREFERRED CHOICE OF BONSMARA IN BOTSWANA
Bonsmara is a breed developed for adaptability, fertility, and high quality beef. It is uniquely suited to withstand local environmental challenges—heat, ticks, variable feed—while delivering excellent carcass yield, tenderness, and growth.
The mission and vision of Sandveld Beef Station are focused on advancing cattle farming in Botswana by raising multipurpose Bonsmara cattle. Our vision is to breed cattle that excel in two areas: males that produce premium, high-quality meat and females known for their exceptional breeding characteristics. Through this holistic approach, we aim to enhance sustainability, foster economic growth, and support the well-being of our local communities.
Our focus lies in the organic growth of our cattle along side a 100% hormone free feeding approach. Our farm is run with a hands-on approach with a full time farm manager alongside experienced locals that form part of the daily cattle handling process.
OUR BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
GENETIC EXCELLENCE
We source elite genetics from Hartebeestloop Namibia. By selective breeding, we ensure traits such as fertility, sound conformation, growth rate, disease resistance, and temperament are optimized.
DUAL PURPOSE ANIMALS
Our bulls and steers are bred for premium beef; our female line is managed for breeding excellence. This balanced approach ensures sustainability and profitability.
ETHICAL MANAGEMENT
Located in theMakaba district, our 15,000 hectares provide ideal natural grazing. The Kalahari’s semi‐arid yet lush veld, free‐range pastures, and minimal intervention farming make for healthier cattle and richer flavour.
PERFORMANCE & QUALITY METRICS
At Sandveld Beef Station, we breed Bonsmara cattle that consistently deliver measurable results across fertility, growth, adaptability, and meat quality. Each generation is carefully selected to enhance these key performance traits — ensuring dependable returns for both commercial beef producers and stud breeders.
FERTILITY & CALVING RATES
Our Bonsmara cows are known for exceptional fertility and calving efficiency. Through genetic selection and optimal herd management, we achieve high conception rates, early sexual maturity, and short, consistent calving intervals. This means more productive breeding females, less downtime, and reliable herd performance year after year.
GROWTH & FEED CONVERSION
We prioritise animals that convert feed into weight efficiently — a hallmark of profitability. Our calves demonstrate strong birth-to-weaning growth, excellent feed conversion ratios, and early finishing capabilities. These traits make SBS Bonsmara cattle ideal for both feedlot and pasture-based systems, producing maximum yield with minimal input.
DISEASE & CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Bred and raised in Botswana’s semi-arid Sandveld region, our cattle thrive under challenging conditions. Decades of natural adaptation and selective breeding have produced animals with strong immune systems, tolerance to heat and parasites, and resilience to local diseases. This means lower mortality, fewer treatments, and better overall herd health — naturally.
EXCEPTIONAL MEAT QUALITY
SBS Bonsmara beef is renowned for its tenderness, natural marbling, and rich flavour. Our cattle produce carcasses with ideal fat distribution, optimal muscling, and fine texture, meeting the expectations of discerning local and export markets alike. The result is consistently premium-quality beef, naturally grass-fed and hormone-free.
CUSTOMER APPLICATIONS
Our Bonsmara cattle are bred to meet the needs of a diverse range of clients across the beef value chain — from feedlots and breeders to regional and export buyers. Each animal that leaves Sandveld Beef Station carries the strength of superior genetics, ethical rearing, and consistent performance.
COMMERCIAL FEEDLOTS
Feedlots rely on predictable growth and feed efficiency — and that’s exactly what SBS Bonsmara weaners deliver. Our male weaners exhibit strong early growth rates, uniform frame size, and optimal feed conversion, enabling quicker finishing times and higher carcass yields. Whether you’re producing for domestic processors or export supply, our cattle are proven performers in feedlot environments.
STUD BREEDERS
Breeders choose SBS Bonsmara bulls and females for their balanced conformation, temperament, and reproductive reliability. Our genetics help establish or strengthen Bonsmara herds, while also improving fertility and carcass traits in crossbreeding programs. Each breeding animal is selected for structural soundness, growth potential, and maternal ability, ensuring long-term herd improvement.
EXPORT & MEAT PROCESSORS
We supply cattle that meet and exceed Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) standards and are well-suited for international beef export requirements. Our animals are raised in a controlled, traceable system — grass-fed, hormone-free, and naturally adapted to local conditions — ensuring premium-grade beef with superior tenderness and flavour. We produce beef that competes on both quality and sustainability in the Southern African region.