Cattle : TULI

Country of origin: Zimbabwe, Africa

Australian Status: Endangered

International status: Estimated 10,000 Zimbabwe and over 2,000 in South Africa in commercial herds. About seven studs in Zimbabwe. About 250 in Australia, 50 in Canada, 700 in the USA.

Arrived in Australia: 1990

Australian Population: 2019: 5 (estimate). 2022: 200 cows. 

Distribution: NSW

HIstory: A Sanga breed. The name comes from an Ndebele word ‘utulili’ meaning ‘dust.' In 1945 the Zimbabwe government set about consolidating the breed by choosing the best of the Tswana cattle, from the area of that name in southern Zimbabwe. The people there had long selected for fertility and docility, and the ability to thrive under adverse conditions, being hot and dry. The cattle were taken to the Tuli Research Station in 1946 hence were dubbed Tuli.

Brought to Australia in 1990-91 by the CSIRO Tropical Agricultural Research Station and private breeders who formed the Boran and Tuli Consortium. Australian cattle were taken to Cocos Island quarantine station; then embryos from donors in Zimbabwe, after being washed and frozen, were put into the cows. The resulting calves were then flown to Australia. Straws from nine Tuli bulls were also brought in. 

The first Tuli crosses were born in the Northern Territory in 1993, out of Brahman cross cows. Comprehensive field trials were done at the time, comparing progeny of Brahman, Boran, Tuli and Hereford x Shorthorn. Tuli and crosses were by far the earliest heifers to cycle, and better in several other ways, far out-performing Brahman; closely followed by Boran. 'Top Paddock' newsletter No. 2 of 1993 for Future Beef, article by Robyn Rann Dept. Primary Industry, has details.

Breed traits: Small cervicothoracic hump on the bulls, cows have no hump. Medium sized animal, beefy, with a solid body on a robust frame. Great parasite resistance. Bred for hot climate. Easy calving. Tender beef. High fertility both bulls and cows. Very good temperament.  

Great resistance to tick-borne diseases.

Brown pigmented skin. Solid colours, in a range from white to silver grey, to golden to some being brown, some deep red. Sleek shiny hair repels excessive sunlight and insects. Very early maturing. Good mothers. Udder and teats always well formed and free from faults. Studies (from doc cited above) proved increasing weight does not increase birth weight, thus easy calving is maintained even when bred to bigger Boran or Brahman bulls. having been geographically separated from the Boran over time, they may be crossbred for hybrid vigour. 

Little fat but excellent marbling so meat is juicy and full of flavour; also tender. In an American trial where bulls of several breeds were used over cows of several breeds, Tuli bulls threw the beef with the best marbling. They produced a carcass like the Bos taurus breeds, rather than like Bos indicus or other Sanga breeds. Popular for cross breeding for all their good traits and hybrid vigour. Kidman co. have had great success crossing them with Murray Greys for some of their Northern Territory properties. Excellent breed in their own right. 

Organisation : Australia: Australian Tuli Breeders
Africa : Tuli Cattle Breeder's Society of South Africa

Additional Notes:

Tuli Photo : Tuli bull, from CSIRO site via Wikimedia Commons.

Page by Janet Lane

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