MASHONA CATTLE SOUTH AFRICA
LOW INPUT CATTLE
Small frame cattle have an unfair advantage over larger cattle due to their higher relative grass intake.
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Simply put, this means smaller cows can eat more grass relative to their body weight, than larger cows can in the same amount of time, and still maintain good body condition on low quality grazing.
It's also widely accepted that fertility is a factor of body condition. Therefore the inherent body condition trait of the Mashona makes them a highly fertile and an extremely productive breed.
MORE BEEF PER Ha
The small body size of the Mashona cows, with their low maintenance requirements and their well developed herd and maternal instincts have contributed to the Mashona's proven reputation for the production of more beef per unit of cow mass than any other breed or crossbreed under natural veld conditions. ~ Matopos cross-breeding trial
EXCEPTIONALY FERTILE
Pure Mashona heifers regularly give their first calf before 24 month and almost always before they are 36 months old. Often showing oestrus within 60 days of calving.
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The Matopos trials performed over a 6 year period ('79 - '86) in Zimbabwe showed that Mashona females can lose up to 32.5% of their initial body mass before sexual activity ceases.
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Comparable results have been achieved by commercial breeders on Mashona cross females. Reports indicate that conception percentages increase as the female genetic composition gets closer to pure Mashona.
HARDY AND ADAPTED GENETICS
Mashona are Sanga-type cattle that have developed over centuries to be thoroughly adapted to harsh environments.
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Their natural resistance to parasites and diseases as well as their ability to perform in extreme temperatures have allowed them to maintain their inherent reproductive efficiency under veld conditions.
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These qualities are clearly noticeable in first generation Mashona crosses which makes the Mashona cross female the ideal animal for a highly resilient and productive mother cow.