Classic or mini's

[jayh]

Found these today on web . Kind of neat. Looks like a lot of Largent breeding.

How big u think they are frame wise?

whittlivestock.com/

[tartancowgirl]

Interesting website - I've heard of Miniature Herefords (in fact there are some in UK now I think) but these are being described as "Classic" or Heritage, what Herefords used to be, rather than "Miniature", so I wondered if they were similar to our Traditionals. It's always hard to tell from pictures what size an animal is unless there is a person in the picture too, but I think they are definitely smaller than ours from the weights at 2 years old. They are saying 700 - 900 lb, whereas ours are reaching about 1200 (550kg) at that age. We weighed and measured a few of our adult cows a couple of weeks ago and they were about 600 - 650 kg (1200 - 1300 lb) and about 48 -50 inches (frame size 3 - 4?), so perhaps would these be frame size 1 - 2? What do others think?

[Deleted]

At least 2 people I personally know started raising minis recently. They have young kids so it definitely a hobby thing for them right now as they want to be able to raise some for their kids to show when they get old enough to. Personally I don't get the desire for having minis but people are making decent money on a niche market else they wouldn't raise them I guess. Crazy thing is one of them posted a picture in June of one of their 3 year old cows that had to have a C section. The vet clinic apparently did not weigh the calf but guessed it to be around 60-65lbs which I am guessing for a mini that is pretty heavy if you estimate the cow to be around 700lbs which would be the equivalent of a 1300 lb cow having about a 120 lb calf.

[elkwc]

Jul 28, 2015 20:05:23 GMT -6 @sph said:

At least 2 people I personally know started raising minis recently. They have young kids so it definitely a hobby thing for them right now as they want to be able to raise some for their kids to show when they get old enough to. Personally I don't get the desire for having minis but people are making decent money on a niche market else they wouldn't raise them I guess. Crazy thing is one of them posted a picture in June of one of their 3 year old cows that had to have a C section. The vet clinic apparently did not weigh the calf but guessed it to be around 60-65lbs which I am guessing for a mini that is pretty heavy if you estimate the cow to be around 700lbs which would be the equivalent of a 1300 lb cow having about a 120 lb calf.

For most mini's might not be the best option. I know of a few where it has been the best. One couple started out with regular Herefords but due to the size of their acreage they couldn't run many and didn't have the equipment, ect to handle the bigger livestock. With mini's they can run at least double the number. They feed out anything they don't keep for replacements and have a waiting list for the beef. Everyone i've talked to say the beef is very good and tender.  Now I think their kids are showing some also.  The other situation I know about is very similar. For someone with limited acreage, equipment, ect they are an option to consider. 

[strojanherefords]

I think there may be a place for miniature cattle for those with small acreages to market by the side of beef rather than by the pound. But everything else being equal, I would much prefer dealing with one 1400 pound cow rather than two 700 pounders.

[jayh]

Aug 2, 2015 12:47:00 GMT -6 strojanherefords said:

I think there may be a place for miniature cattle for those with small acreages to market by the side of beef rather than by the pound. But everything else being equal, I would much prefer dealing with one 1400 pound cow rather than two 700 pounders.

Interesting that you said that. I called them and they are telling me their mature cows weigh 900-1000. That is probably not wet but I was thinking that's a lot of meat in those little girls.