150 years of selection over 3 generations

1920’s

RIDGEWAY BRISTOW

Cross breeding Africaner / Hereford & Shorthorn.

1930’s

In the 1930’s Ridgeway Bristow in co-operation with Prof. Jan Bonsma established a breeding programme designed to produce cattle which were adapted to the hardy bushveld conditions in South Africa.

“The Bristow herd contains the best of the Bonsmara blood lines. The quality, confirmation, growth potential, milk production as well as eventual weight and temperament of this herd will impress potential buyers. These cattle represent the desired ideal. They are the product of a breeders creative urge and the fruit of years of pain staking selection and the breeders capability.” – Prof. Jan Bonsma 1973

1945

JOHN BRISTOW

6 Bulls loaned from Mara. One of these was 406 the father of Edelhere T342 “Father of the Bonsmara”

1950’s

1973

1980’s

Expansion to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe).

GAVIN BRISTOW

Managing the herd

1995

1995

First Bonsmara embryo’s exported to South America.

1996

24th Annual Production Sale Gaaroskraal