Miniature Cattle

Miniature cows are as the name implies small versions of cows. They have been specifically bred for size and there are 26 breed categories of miniature cattle.

Just like the “full-sized” cows, the miniature versions comes in many different colors, coat patterns, and horn sizes and styles. This is a fairly new idea so only a handful of farms and ranches in the country raise them; however, they are growing in popularity as word spreads. They eat less, take up less space, need less pasture and proportionally produce about the same amount of meat as a full size cow would.

From Wikipedia:
“Miniature cattle started in the late 1960s when a Mexican rancher started breeding a small cattle breed called Zebu. The original goal was to produce Miniature cattle for the rich to own as house pets. Later he began working with a veterinary researcher and the focus changed for the efficiency and high production of cattle and less land. The idea took off from there! Hereford, Angus, Dexter and many other breeds of cows soon became downsized as the miniature cattle craze took over….

“Miniature Cattle Breeders Society of Registry miniature cattle should not exceed the height of 42 inches measured at the hip, or hook bone. Cattle between the sizes of 42 to 48 inches should be considered mid-sized miniatures.”

The breed association can be found HERE.

Here’s a recent article in the LA times about Miniature Cows.