Why Miniature Herefords?
Characteristics and Benefits
High fertility, early maturing, excellent feed converters, easy keepers, and very gentle in nature
Thick, deep-bodied, short-legged, muscular, and chunky in appearance, all muscle and meat
Excellent for small properties, since 2 to 3 animals may be kept instead of one standard animal, doing well on poor pasture.
Excellent show animals for children because of natural gentleness and smaller size, ideally suited as Farm School Animals.
Hardy and adaptable to many climates from cool Tasmania, to the humid northern NSW and Queensland Coast, to hot and dry Inland Australia, they will thrive just about anywhere.
Excellent for wet ground as the lighter weight of the Animal doesn’t bog the ground as much, will do well on poor pasture and are quite at home on poor Sheep Country
Ideal for retired People who may want cattle as a hobby, pet, secondary income, or full-time business, as Numbers are still low in Australia they still command good prices, from first crosses (50%) Miniature Herefords to 5 Generation pure breeds (100%) AMHCA certified Animals at $1200 to $3000 for a pregnant Cow or Bull
Size Frame 2 or less makes them easy to handle. A mature three-year-old cow can weigh between 200kg and 500kg depending on muscle and condition. These small animals are what many of the old-timers will tell you were raised 40, 50, 60 years ago, before the breeding for feedlots started, this resulted in the tall, long-legged Animals of today.
Registry The Australian Hereford Society is the official registry for Miniature Herefords. A certificate of registration from the Australian Hereford Society is required to qualify for AMHCA Certification, a 5 Generation Rule is the Association’s standard to assess a true Miniature Hereford. The Hereford Society issues it’s Certificates with an M for Miniature horned Animals or PM for Miniature polled Animals, this is very important and beneficial to insure the purity of bloodlines and predictability of offspring.
Care The bovine is one of the easiest of all animals to take care of. A small bovine makes it even easier. As long as they have plenty of grass, water, and salt available, most of their needs are met. Of course, environmental conditions such as temperature, rainfall, terrain, etc. vary greatly, but the Miniature Herefords are very hardy animals and do well in most areas. Keeping them wormed is also important. If a veterinarian is necessary, any vet can treat them .
Nutrition No special feed is necessary for the Minis. Nutritional needs can vary from one area to the next, but good pasture or quality grass hay, a salt/trace mineral supplement and clean water are for the most part all that is required. The Minis are very efficient feed converters and, depending on pasture, you can run 2 to 3 head to one standard-size animal. Miniature Herefords consume about half that of a full-sized cow yet produce 50% to 75% of the rib-eyes and fillets, according to researchers and budget-conscious farmers.
Reproduction Heifers are bred to calve at 2 to 3 years of age. Bulls are ready to go to work by 1-1/2years old. Minis to have very little difficulty calving. Calf birth weights average 20kg to 30kg. The cows are good mothers with plenty of milk. Both cows and bulls are fertile and breed back in a timely manner.
Equipment Heavy-duty fencing and equipment aren’t necessary. Just a quality fence and shelter are adequate. A head gate and small Cattle Yard is all you need, as it is easy enough to load them on a Horse Trailer.
Disposition: Herefords have always been known for their docile temperament, and the miniatures are no exception. In fact, their smaller size makes them even easier to work with.