Umvutcha Nkone Stud
Breeder Details
- Owner: Troy & Tara Maidwell
- Location: Umvutcha Farm (Umguza Estate Bulawayo)
- Registered Cows: 30
- Registered Bulls: 4
Umvutcha Nkone Stud was established in 2020 to partner with a regenerative program on a horticulture farm. The farm has a historical connection to the Zimbabwean Nkone breed, which was a significant factor in choosing the Nkone as the preferred breed.
The Umvutcha Kraal, situated on the property, was historically used by Lobengula to run his herds of the “Kings Cattle,” inherited from his father, King Mzilikazi. The “Kings Cattle” were originally brought to the Matabeleland Area by Mzilikazi in the mid-1800s, and after his death, his son Lobengula continued to rule and oversee the herds until the mid-1890s.
The cattle scattered into the Matabele Bush after Lobengula moved further north, and they were left to fend for themselves, being utilized by the local people. In the mid-1900s, John Brownlee and the Matopos Research Station recognized the importance of the breed and embarked on research and trials, ultimately leading to the understanding of how the breed had survived and adapted to the harsh environment, resulting in the modern Zimbabwe Nkone.
Umvutcha Nkone currently has 30 registered cows and 4 registered bulls, all with genes from the historical “Kings Cattle”.
