A leader in premium beef production

Protecting a Legacy, Ensuring a Future

For over 75 years, Huntersvlei Cattle has been a leader in premium beef production, driven by a commitment to integrity, trust, and sustainable farming. As part of the family-run Rhys Evans Group, a company with over a century of agricultural excellence, Huntersvlei has never wavered in its dedication to breeding and raising superior cattle. We proudly produce pasture-raised, nutrient-rich beef that reflects our values of quality, sustainability, and responsible farming.

Our Commitment to Quality and Sustainability

Unparalleled Genetics

At Huntersvlei, we believe in farming with purpose—raising cattle with the utmost care for both the animal and the environment. Our beef is pasture-raised, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare while maintaining the natural ecosystem. We do not use routine antibiotics or growth stimulants, allowing us to produce beef that is pure, healthy, and trustworthy.

Huntersvlei Sussex is built on a foundation of strong maternal lines, ensuring each generation inherits exceptional traits. Our cows are known for their high milk production and low birth weights, making them ideal for diverse farming needs.

Superior Ranching Bulls

Raised under rigorous veld conditions, our bulls thrive with minimal supplementation. This process guarantees animals that are adaptable, resilient, and ideal for commercial farming.

Our approach is deeply rooted in regenerative farming. By implementing strategic grazing methods, we enhance soil biodiversity, sequester carbon, and improve the overall sustainability of our land. Through these practices, we are actively working to mitigate the effects of climate change while ensuring a thriving agricultural future for generations to come.

Commitment to Quality

With over 75 years of experience, Huntersvlei implements annual performance testing, genomic analysis, and strict selection criteria to maintain the highest standards in the industry.

As part of the Rhys Evans Group, we embrace sustainable farming methods that prioritize both the environment and the community.

Driven by Excellence

Breeding Philosophy

We believe exceptional cows produce exceptional bulls. Huntersvlei Cattle focuses on preserving strong maternal lines, ensuring traits like high milk production, low birth weights, and excellent weaning weights are passed down through generations.

The Huntersvlei Sussex Standard

Exceptional Cows Breed Exceptional Bulls

At Huntersvlei Sussex, we firmly believe that exceptional cows produce exceptional bulls. Our breeding philosophy focuses on preserving and enhancing strong maternal lines, ensuring that the best traits are consistently passed down through generations.

Females as the Foundation

We believe exceptional cows produce exceptional bulls. Huntersvlei Sussex focuses on preserving strong maternal lines, ensuring traits like high milk production, low birth weights, and excellent weaning weights are passed down through generations.

Top-Quality Ranching Bulls

Our bulls are raised under rigorous veld conditions, with minimal supplementation to test their ability to survive and thrive. This ensures adaptability and hardiness for commercial and stud farmers across diverse climates.

Innovation in Breeding

Huntersvlei leads the way with genomic testing, confirming traits such as muscling, poll genes, and sire verification. These advancements strengthen our commitment to producing reliable, high-performance cattle.

Whether you’re a stud breeder or a commercial farmer, our Sussex cows are bred to meet your needs, providing a reliable foundation for superior bulls and resilient herds. At Huntersvlei, we’re not just breeding cattle—we’re building a legacy of excellence.

High milk production and heritable maternal instincts.

Low birth weights for easier calving.

Excellent weaning weights, ensuring strong, healthy offspring.

Adaptability to diverse climates across Southern Africa.

Proven Bull Raising Methods – Tried and Trusted Since the 1980s

At Huntersvlei, our method of raising bulls has stood the test of time. Developed in the 1980s, this approach ensures that our bulls are not only strong but also capable of thriving in real-world conditions.

After weaning, we implement a limited feeding regime to carefully monitor post-weaning growth. Once they’ve reached the appropriate stage, the bulls are introduced to the veld with a balanced ration, testing their ability to survive and thrive under extensive conditions.

This tried-and-true method guarantees that Huntersvlei bulls are not just raised but proven—ready to meet the demands of both stud breeders and commercial operations, no matter the environment.

In 1945 the Huntersvlei Sussex herd was established with the purpose of supplying South African cattle ranchers with reliable and highly heritable genetics to improve their herds. Over the past 75 years this goal has remained unchanged.

The Huntersvlei Sussex Stud forms part of the Rhys Evans Group, a family run and owned business built over 100 years on an ethos that seeks farming excellence, underpinned by strong community values and sustainable farming practices. Our objective is to breed exceptional quality ranching bulls for commercial farmers’ use, our management approach and careful selection has been the foundation of our ability to maintain uniformly high standards throughout our herd.

Legacy Begins: The foundation of Sussex breeding in South Africa was laid, focusing on superior genetics and adaptability.

The Birth of Huntersvlei Sussex

The Huntersvlei Sussex herd was established in 1945 by JR Evans after returning from World War II. With a vision to breed superior Sussex cattle, he laid the foundation of what would become one of South Africa’s most renowned herds. The first cows were purchased from his brother’s Shackleton herd and the Smartt Syndicate dispersal sale in Britstown. Under the careful management of Charles Johnstone, the herd grew on farms like Huntersvlei, Klipfontein, Skietlaagte, and Geluksfontein.

JR Evans, a devoted student of Dr. Orford’s breeding principles, ensured that Huntersvlei Sussex cattle had strong maternal instincts, excellent muscling, and adaptability to South African conditions. This commitment to quality genetics set the standard for the next 75+ years of breeding.

1945 –

Turning Point: A shift toward home-bred bulls created the signature Huntersvlei Sussex cattle type.

The Influence of Imported Bulls

By the late 1960s, Huntersvlei began introducing imported bulls to strengthen the herd’s genetics. One of the most significant bulls, Petworth Warspite 1st, arrived in 1968. His offspring stood out with smooth coats and well-formed udders, although these traits weren’t widely recognized as important at the time.

However, after testing various imported bulls with mixed results, the 1980s marked a turning point. Huntersvlei decided to focus on home-bred bulls, leading to the development of a distinctive Huntersvlei Sussex type—taller, smooth-coated, and structurally sound. This decision shaped the herd’s unique characteristics, which remain instantly recognizable today.

1968 –

Expansion Begins: Huntersvlei Sussex cattle become a staple in auctions, establishing trust

First Huntersvlei Sussex Sale

Before the first official auction, bulls were sold directly off the farm. However, in 1970, Huntersvlei hosted its first public cattle sale, marking a new era in the breed’s commercialization. The sale format evolved over the years:

Early Years: Two sales annually – a female sale in February and a bull sale in September.
Young Bulls: Initially, bulls were sold as young as 12 months old, later increasing to 16-18 months, and today, bulls are typically sold at 24 months.

These auctions showcased the quality and performance of Huntersvlei Sussex cattle, reinforcing their reputation among commercial and stud farmers.

1970 –

Championship Bloodlines: The 1980s cemented Huntersvlei Sussex as a leader in South African beef cattle breeding.

The Rise of Home-Bred Bulls

With a focus on performance testing and genetic consistency, Huntersvlei developed home-bred sires that became the backbone of the herd. The 1980s saw the introduction of several legendary bulls:

Huntersvlei King (Champion 1978) → Produced the Princes, Barons, and Dukes bloodlines.
Huntersvlei Dean 5th (Champion Sussex, 1977) → Gave rise to the Oakley, Cardinals, Chevaliers, and Bishops bloodlines.
Huntersvlei Prince 28th (Gold Cup Winner, 1984) → One of the most influential Sussex sires.

This focus on home-grown champions ensured that Huntersvlei Sussex genetics remained consistent, strong, and reliable for future generations.

1980 –

Breed Champions: Decades of success in the show ring solidified the reputation of Huntersvlei Sussex cattle.

Super Cow & Show Champions

Showing cattle became a core part of Huntersvlei’s success. Over the years, Huntersvlei Sussex won multiple Witwatersrand Agricultural Society (WAS) Gold Cups, including:

Huntersvlei Meg (1953) – First major champion.
Huntersvlei Shrimp & Nicholas (1964-65) – WAS Gold Cup winners.
Huntersvlei Nicholas – One of the most influential Sussex sires, with 2% of all Sussex genetics tracing back to him.

In 1991, Huntersvlei Agnes 14th was crowned Super Cow, further proving the excellence of the herd’s maternal lines.

1991 –

Next-Generation Breeding: Huntersvlei Sussex embraces genomic technology for continued excellence.

Advancements in Technology

As farming evolved, Huntersvlei remained at the forefront of genetic testing and precision breeding. By 2019, Huntersvlei became one of the first Sussex breeders to introduce genomic testing. This allowed the farm to:

Confirm Sire Verification – Ensuring accurate bloodlines.
Measure Muscling & Marbling – Validating meat quality.
Improve Genetic Indexes – Enhancing herd performance.

With these advancements, Huntersvlei Sussex continues to produce elite cattle suited for commercial and stud farmers alike, proving that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.

2000’s –

The Legacy Continues: Huntersvlei Sussex remains a leader in the South African beef industry.

75+ Years of Excellence

From a WWII veteran’s vision in 1945 to a globally recognized Sussex stud, Huntersvlei remains committed to:

Producing superior Sussex genetics for all farming conditions.
Prioritizing sustainability & adaptability in breeding practices.
Maintaining a tradition of championship-winning cattle.

Huntersvlei Sussex is more than a herd—it’s a legacy built on trust, excellence, and innovation. With over 75 years of breeding history, the farm continues to supply top-quality ranching bulls and maternal lines to farmers across Southern Africa.

Today

Huntersvlei Sussex

Huntersvlei Sussex cattle are renowned for their adaptable genetics, perfectly suited to the diverse climates of Southern Africa. This adaptability ensures that our cattle are robust, versatile, and capable of thriving in even the most challenging environments. At the heart of our breeding program lies a dedication to heritable excellence, with maternal traits such as high milk production, low birth weights, and strong maternal instincts carefully passed down through generations. Each animal is subjected to rigorous annual performance testing and thorough veterinary checks, ensuring proven performance and consistent quality in every herd. Moreover, Huntersvlei Sussex remains deeply committed to sustainability, embracing eco-friendly practices that benefit both farmers and the environment, securing a legacy of responsible farming for generations to come.

The Huntersvlei team truly understands cattle breeding. Their bulls have not only enhanced our herd but also proven incredibly adaptable.

– Chris M, Commercial Farmer

Sussex is our business

For over 75 years, Huntersvlei Cattle has been a leader in premium beef production, driven by a commitment to integrity, trust, and sustainable farming. As part of the family-run Rhys Evans Group, a company with over a century of agricultural excellence, Huntersvlei has never wavered in its dedication to breeding and raising superior cattle. We proudly produce pasture-raised, nutrient-rich beef that reflects our values of quality, sustainability, and responsible farming.

Sussex Cattle Breed

Shop Our Sussex Cuts

Indomitable

The Huntersvlei Sussex Stud forms part of the Rhys Evans Group, a family-run and owned business built over 120 years. We are proud to continue flying the flag for the Sussex breed, 80 years and three generations later. While we remain steadfast in maintaining a strong and reliable herd, our goal to innovate and develop within the breed is a top priority.