Mashona

[HDRider]

Can you identify yourself if you are a US Mashona seed-stock provider?

Thank you.

 

[HDRider]

OK, let me also ask, if you have Mashona, can you discuss them?

 

[R V]

I haven't had them that long, but I can try. What questions do you have?

 

[HDRider]

Do you have cows, or bull?

Watch do you cross with?

What is your target market?

Do Mashona traits excel in your market?

Thanks

 

[WalnutCrest]

RV is one of a couple guys I know with Mashona cattle.

I'll defer to him/them.

 

[R V]

1. Both cows and 2 bulls.

2. Still testing which crosses work best - very good/easy calving for heifers. (This and heat tolerance were the reasons I got them and they excel at both.) My heaviest spring steer was a cross between my black Mashona bull and a good Charolais cow. (705 at 6.5 months). That was not expected and was probably a fluke, but I tried another young Charolais cow that I like better to see if it is reproducible. Right now, my favorite cross is my red Mashona bull on Longhorn cows. The calves are solid red and I think they have a lot of potential. It is a type to type breeding with heterosis. They have as much or more muscling than the Red Limo calves I have had in the past (as calves) and I think they have a lot more maternal potential. I will know more next year when these heifers calve.

3. No formal target market yet. I am still learning what they are and what to they do well and don't do well, so the calves need to sell well at the sale barn. The crossbred steers that were solid red sold well at the sale barn and sold at the top of the market. Since 2 or 3 were out of Longhorn cows, that was quit a bonus. I sold them ~400 lbs. The gray calf the weighed 705 was a single and looked like a Brangus/Charolais cross and I was disappointed he didn't bring more, but can't complain too much about a $1500 calf. I am keeping the heifers for now and selling the steers. I will have a few bulls to sale eventually, but right now I am making them for me.

Hopefully, that is helpful. Any other questions?

 

[HDRider]

Thanks RV. Keep us posted.

 

[andybob]

Contact Jaime Elizondo Braun of Renengraze he manages the biggest herd in the USA. Generally they are good for adding heat tolerance, fertility and rumen capacity for grass feeding while not compromising beef quality.
https://www.facebook.com/Regengraze?fref=ts