EzeNkosi Stud Herd by AgroStrong

The birth of the King’s or The Lord’s herd marks a significant milestone for AgroStrong, which has acquired a special Nkone breed of cattle. These cattle's genetics trace back to the Nguni cattle of South Africa.

Nkone cattle were first introduced to Zimbabwe in 1836 by King Mzilikazi of the Ndebele people. A former favored general of King Shaka of Zululand, Mzilikazi left Zululand with his tribe after a dispute over cattle with Shaka. Over nearly 200 years, the Nkone has evolved into a distinct ecotype of the original Nguni cattle, shaped by a different environment.

AgroStrong has aptly named this stud herd "EzeNkosi Stud Herd," meaning the King’s or Lord’s cattle. Stud cattle are bred and raised to improve specific genetic traits within a breed. These cattle are typically purebred and registered with a breeders association, in this case the Zimbabwe Herd Book. The primary focus in breeding stud cattle is on enhancing desirable characteristics such as:

1. Conformation: The physical structure and appearance of the cattle, including muscle development, body size, and shape.
2. Genetic Quality: Traits that can be passed down to offspring, such as growth rates, fertility, milk production, and disease resistance.
3. Pedigree: The documented lineage of the cattle, ensuring they come from a line of high-quality, purebred ancestors.

Stud cattle are often used for breeding purposes rather than direct commercial meat production. Farmers and ranchers purchase stud cattle to introduce superior genetics into their herds, thereby improving the overall quality and performance of their livestock. These cattle are typically showcased at agricultural shows and competitions, where their qualities are evaluated and awarded.

Stud herds command higher prices. For instance, the owner of the Nandi Nguni Stud in Cedarville, Eastern Cape, sold a bull in 2023 for a record R570,000 (US$30,000). On average, beef producers were paying between R80 000 and R100 000 for registered bulls earmarked for the commercial market, which compares favorably with prices achieved in Zimbabwe. Successful commercial cattle farmers depend on quality from stud herds.

AgroStrong offers both institutional and retail investors the opportunity to own cattle without the logistical challenges of managing them. Retail investors can invest from the comfort of their homes, anywhere in the world, by signing up at www.agrostrong.net. AgroStrong manages cattle across multiple farms in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Bekithemba Nkomo, CEO of AgroStrong, stated, “Cattle are an underrated alternative asset or investment. Cattle-backed investments can preserve the value of your money and provide an income. We look forward to helping the public save and invest in a real asset.”

Vhusi Phiri, Chairman at AgroStrong, added, “Our family office owns cattle valued at over US$58,000, and we have been steadily investing, continually expanding our portfolio. This presents an opportunity for people in the diaspora as well as in-country to diversify their investment portfolios. In essence, we are remote cattle farmers. Interestingly, some top executives in Zimbabwe are serious cattle farmers. They run large corporations and own significant cattle herds, understanding the value of cattle.”

Be a remote cattle farmer. Find out more www.agrostrong.net

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