Big Horned Watussi Growing In Popularity

Big horned Watussi growing in popularity AG WORLD Ag World 10-6-20 Giant horn spreads up to 8 ft. from tip to tip, disease resistance, and hardy calves are three factors that have helped African Watussi cattle catch on fast with U.S. ranchers since FARM SHOW first reported on them more than 5 years ago. "Demand has grown because of the lack of horned cattle coming in from Mexico," says Dean Drake, a Penrose, Colo. rancher, who breeds Watussi. "Mexican steers must be two to three years old to develop a proper horn base and minimal horn length. A Watussi bull, bred to any commercial cow, can produce an animal with horns adequate for rodeo in less than one year." In addition to their use in rodeos, Drake says breeders like Watussi because they're highly disease resistant and their calves are smaller than those of other breeds, which results in fewer problems at birth. "Many of the good traits that have been breed out of our American cattle can be easily acquired from Watussi crossbreeds," says Drake, noting that Watussi calves are so hardy they can nurse within 15 min. of birth and readily follow their mothers around within 30 min. Drake owns 47 head of Watussi which makes him one of the largest breeders in the country. There are only a few hundred of the cattle all together, he says, and because of disease problems in Africa, no more are being imported. Watussi, considered the oldest purebred cattle in the world, are accustomed to temperature changes from 120? during the day to 20? at night in their native lands, so they adapt well to colder climates. "They've survived 7,000 years under the most adverse conditions and are well equipped to confront predators and difficult forage conditions." For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dean Drake, 333-6th, Penrose, Colo. 81240 (ph 303 372-3605).

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