Weighing in at 1,050kg, a bull heavier than a buffalo was auctioned for Sh600,000, equivalent to the price of a Probox car. However, if slaughtered in the farm, the bull could fetch Sh1 million.
The ‘charolais’ bull was the main attraction during the East Africa Growers Council agribusiness expo in Kabarak University last week.
The four-year-old bull from Kabarak Farm Ltd only feeds on grass and drinks a minimum of 60 litres of water a day, according to the farm manager Joseph Bett.
Bett says there are about 107,000 of such animals in the farm and a single dose of artificial insemination costs Sh1,000.
The bull was originally bred in France in a place called Charolais, hence its name. It is a naturally horned beef animal.
In Africa, the largest population of the breed is found in South Africa followed by Kenya, mainly in Laikipia.
EAGC chief executive officer Gerald Masila said the livestock section of the agribusiness expo was a big attraction this year.
“There is a big demand for Ayrshires but there is a challenge of sufficient breeders,” he said.
Masila said some of the animal breeds that were exhibited are easy to maintain and in line with the expo’s theme — enhancing innovation in agribusiness to increase productivity.
“This year’s focus was on innovations that respond to climate change challenges, that seek to answer issues on the nutrition of people and help in value addition and post harvest reduction,” he said.
The agribusiness expo brought together more than 15,000 farmers, sponsors and exhibitors.
Charolais cattle are mostly white but some breeders in different parts of the world are breeding red and black Charolais. They have a deep chest, broad body and strong, muscled hindquarters.
Bulls can weigh up to 1,130kg and cows up to 900kg.
Charolais are hardy animals that can adapt to climate conditions. They can graze on pasture that many other breeds cannot use as efficiently, and gain weight and muscle rapidly.
