Dexter and Mashona Cattle

Small-Scale Breeds for Small-Scale Production

Tennessee State University established a herd of Dexter cattle in 2015 to complement the meat goat breeding program. The Dexter is a small-framed British breed that is dual-purpose in type. It is considered a heritage breed like the Spanish and Myotonic goat breeds. The Dexter cattle will be used to assess the production potential of non-traditional small-breed cattle for small-scale beef production as well as for teaching activities. The TSU foundation Dexter cattle are registered in the American Dexter Cattle Association herdbook  (search under Owner# 10042).

Mashona herd sires were introduced to the breeding program in 2019. The Mashona is a smaller-framed Sanga beef breed from Zimbabwe. The breed has tropical adaptations that may be of value in the southern states. Mashona bulls are being crossed with the Dexter cows to produce F1 calves for evaluation. Fullblood Mashona cows were added in 2021. The TSU herd consists of over 100 Dexter, Mashona x Dexter, and Mashona females.

 

For sale: [March 2024] Seven 3/4 Dexter x 1/4 Mashona heifers (born spring 2023). All are out of 2-year-old first-time half-blood dams and RHV Shamrock (ADCA 32731). Additional information is available upon request.

 

The TSU herd sires are presented below.

Jon

Weight: 1310#

Hip Height: 46.50"

June 2021

Jon

Dot

Weight: 1305#

Hip Height: 47"

June 2021

 

Dot

Red

Weight: 1020#

Hip Height: 45.25"

Jan 2024

HP Red

Ferdinand

Weight: 1110#

Hip Height: 44.5"

July 2023

 

Ferdinand

Dirk

Weight: 1066#

Hip Height: 46.75"

July 2023

 

Dirk

MASHONA 182

Born: 2015

Weight: 1420#

Hip Height: 50.75"

June 2021

 182

MASHONA 76

Born: 2012

Weight: 1340#

Hip Height: 51.25"

Jan 2024

 MAS 76

MASHONA 588

Born: 2008

Weight: 1435#

Hip Height: 50.25"

June 2021

 MAS 588

MASHONA 884

Born: 2018

Weight: 1320#

Hip Height: 50.75"

Jan 2024

 884

MASHONA 901

Born: 2018

Weight: 1235#

Hip Height: 49.25"

Jan 2024

 901

MASHONA 6

Born: 2020

Weight: 838#

Hip Height: 48.5"

July 2022

Dry Creek 6



 

 






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R. Browning