ABSTRACT
Beef cattle production is the major agricultural activity of Botswana, which is about the size of France. The beef cattle production systems are based on the extensive grazing of natural rangeland. Three major traits contribute to beef cattle productions reproductive performance, viability, and growth; when combined, these three traits provide a productivity index to be calculated for breed comparison. If breed characterization information regarding the Africander and other Sanga breeds in southern Africa had been available earlier, it might have influenced decision making in several areas. The Tuli breed had been developed since 1946 from Tswana types in the southwest of Zimbabwe. The Africander breed in contrast was believed to be a very superior indigenous breed and was used extensively for beef production as a pure breed and for crossing with other indigenous types. The Brahman is becoming an extremely popular breed for crossing in southern Africa.
