Sosian Ranch

Cattle Ranching
AT SOSIAN

Sosian ranch has always been a cattle ranch since it began. However in the past, cattle numbered up to 2500 head and there was zero tolerance from competition through wildlife grazing competition and predation. In the last ten years the attitude has changed and now the focus is on balancing cattle numbers with wildlife numbers. We firmly believe that cattle are a vital part of the Sosian and greater Laikipia ecosystem. Grazing, manuring, trampling of old grass and cattle movements have a corresponding impact on wildlife behaviour and movement. It is not uncommon to see our herds grazing alongside zebra, giraffe and even elephants. Nowadays Sosian carries between 500-1000 head of beef cattle at any one time.

We have one of the largest stud herds of pure of Boran cattle in Kenya, numbering around 500 head and the rest being Boran trading stock bought from the semi deserts. The breeding herd is a registered pedigree herd and is a very important project maintaining the pure genes for future generations. The Boran is an extremely hardy animal that originated in the deserts of Northern Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Borans are increasingly popular in other drier parts of the world and are now found in Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Australia, South Africa and USA, which have all come from genetic exports of Kenyan Boran cattle. They have a remarkable disease, heat and drought tolerance, are very placid other than being very protective mothers when it comes to lion visits!

Keeping lions and other large predators from the cattle is a full time job and all cattle are put in barricaded pens (bomas) at night and always have a herder with them during the day. We still lose the odd animal to lions but this is to be expected. Sosian has recently started using a new type of portable lion proof boma, which was developed in Laikipia, and is proving extremely effective in protecting the cattle as well as creating new wildlife hotspots once the boma is moved.