Research Programmes

In the last 6 decades research at Makoholi has focused on breeding and conservation of the Mashona cattle breed, smallstock (small east African goats), range management, forage development including agro-forestry. Research programmes are carried out in strategically located research sections namely beef and dairy, rangeland and pastures, smallstock and draught power, poultry and fisheries.

Beef and dairy

 Figure 2: a) Livestock centre with offices and cattle holding facilities. b) Mashona cow c) Mashona dairy crosses

Main objective of this section is to conserve and improve the Mashona cattle. Mashona cattle are a small and compact breed (cows approx 275 to 400kg and bulls approx 300 to 600kg). Its a docile animal. The meat is juicy and tender with high proportion of lean meat: fat in carcass. Milk production is very low. Mashona has a calving percentage and generally requires low maintenance level. Mashona has a genetic resistance to most tropical diseases and parasites. Research is continuing on breeding and conservation of the Mashona through active selection

A small dairy unit was formed to complement the work in beef production. The research in dairy now focuses on producing dairy crosses of Mashona and other dairy breeds which have shown to be more suitable for smallholder dairy farmers. The section’s research focus is on nutrition, breeding, husbandry practices and draught power as well

Achievements.

• Production and maintenance of a Pure bred Mashona cattle suitable for the smallholder farming sector
• Production of Mashona dairy crosses most suitable for low levels of management

 Current research

• Composite breed formation (Mashona X red Dane, Mashona x Holstein cross breeds) for improved milk production
• The use of tephrosia, tobacco and garlic for tick control in beef production

Breeding and conservation of the Mashona cattle through selection