Miniature Herfods

[Twisted-W]

I am looking to getting started with miniature Herefords. Anyone have experience with them or advice to offer? We are building our barn on our new property this spring and hope to acquire a few head this coming fall. Any advice will be appreciated.
Mark

 

[BC]

What is your marketing plan for offspring? Need to have that in mind before you start with cattle. Conventional cattle can be converted to cash 6 days a week at an auction market.

 

[Twisted-W]

My ultimate plan is show steers for youngsters. I want to work towards this over the long term. I am aware this will take time. Short term is to provide beef for family and friends and friends in the restaurant business who have expressed interest in the smaller cuts.

 

[Beef Man]

Is there anybody on here old enough to remember the comprest cattle of the late 40s, early 50s? Some of us been down that minature road before. Heard all about the smaller cuts,baby beef,fit in the locker better[before we had electricity there was a locker plant in most towns to store your frozen products]some even swore that these cute little fellows were efficient. I was introduced to the harsh reality of the real cattle business in that era. I really cant see anymore good in the so called minature cattle unless you just want some pets and mostly pets are'nt used as a food . Go to a small frame 3-4 cow and you can still feed them as a calf beef and still go on with them if you want. I can tell you real horrer stories about small, comprest,dwarfs,minature, and any other word that means little. Be carefull!

 

[chippie]

will send you a pm with a person who may be able to help you find breeding stock for show animals. Good stock will be expensive.

The steers are popular for young kids who want to show.

 

[denvermartinfarms]

Is there anybody on here old enough to remember the comprest cattle of the late 40s, early 50s? Some of us been down that minature road before. Heard all about the smaller cuts,baby beef,fit in the locker better[before we had electricity there was a locker plant in most towns to store your frozen products]some even swore that these cute little fellows were efficient. I was introduced to the harsh reality of the real cattle business in that era. I really cant see anymore good in the so called minature cattle unless you just want some pets and mostly pets are'nt used as a food . Go to a small frame 3-4 cow and you can still feed them as a calf beef and still go on with them if you want. I can tell you real horrer stories about small, comprest,dwarfs,minature, and any other word that means little. Be carefull!

I agree, I wasn't going to give my opinion but it pretty much is in line with yours.

I would buy some regular Herefords.

 

[SPH]

There is someone always trying to sell miniature Herefords on our local craigslist but I can't imagine it is a very big market. Not sure what the appeal is, maybe more of a hobby I guess? Would like to hear from someone that raises them to tell me why they think they are more marketable than a registered purebred Hereford?

 

[Twisted-W]

Is there anybody on here old enough to remember the comprest cattle of the late 40s, early 50s? Some of us been down that minature road before. Heard all about the smaller cuts,baby beef,fit in the locker better[before we had electricity there was a locker plant in most towns to store your frozen products]some even swore that these cute little fellows were efficient. I was introduced to the harsh reality of the real cattle business in that era. I really cant see anymore good in the so called minature cattle unless you just want some pets and mostly pets are'nt used as a food . Go to a small frame 3-4 cow and you can still feed them as a calf beef and still go on with them if you want. I can tell you real horrer stories about small, comprest,dwarfs,minature, and any other word that means little. Be carefull!

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. I had friends who raised registered Herefords and we're nearly wiped out when they threw a dwarf. Miniatures are a different matter. I know they are not for everyone. They are recognized by the Hereford association and are popular in our area for 4H and high school FFA shows for introductions to stock shows. There are several successful operations in the Panhandle who raise Miniature Herefords. Again, I know they do not meet the needs and expectations of many in the cattle business.
Mark

 

[Twisted-W]

There is someone always trying to sell miniature Herefords on our local craigslist but I can't imagine it is a very big market. Not sure what the appeal is, maybe more of a hobby I guess? Would like to hear from someone that raises them to tell me why they think they are more marketable than a registered purebred Hereford?

Might want to talk to these folks. Again, I know they are not for everyone or meet the needs and expectations of many.

http://ww-ranch.com/
http://gfherefords.com/
http://falsterfarm.com/
http://orionherefords.com/

I am sure these folks will be much more knowledgeable than I would ever be. I appreciate the response and input.
Mark

 

[SPH]

Is there anybody on here old enough to remember the comprest cattle of the late 40s, early 50s? Some of us been down that minature road before. Heard all about the smaller cuts,baby beef,fit in the locker better[before we had electricity there was a locker plant in most towns to store your frozen products]some even swore that these cute little fellows were efficient. I was introduced to the harsh reality of the real cattle business in that era. I really cant see anymore good in the so called minature cattle unless you just want some pets and mostly pets are'nt used as a food . Go to a small frame 3-4 cow and you can still feed them as a calf beef and still go on with them if you want. I can tell you real horrer stories about small, comprest,dwarfs,minature, and any other word that means little. Be carefull!

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. I had friends who raised registered Herefords and we're nearly wiped out when they threw a dwarf. Miniatures are a different matter. I know they are not for everyone. They are recognized by the Hereford association and are popular in our area for 4H and high school FFA shows for introductions to stock shows. There are several successful operations in the Panhandle who raise Miniature Herefords. Again, I know they do not meet the needs and expectations of many in the cattle business.
Mark

The dwarfs probably could be tied back to using a bull with a genetic defect. Herefords have great disposition, there will always be a market for them with the 4-H and FFA exhibitors because of that and if you follow the markets even the commercial breeders know the value with crossing their black cows with Hereford bulls because black baldies are bringing top dollar at the sale barn.

 

[Twisted-W]

That is exactly what happened to our friends. Dr. Herefords was the operation I had in mind who threw the dwarf back in the 50's. Nearly ruined them.

 

[JHH]

Wish you would have spelled Hereford right LOL. good choice but you may want to consider what is being said. Their are some smaller frame Herefords that aren't mini's that may work for you as well.

 

[Twisted-W]

Sure will consider it. Is why I asked. And that other e just runs from me, especially when it is so far past my bed time. Bifocals are a fair excuse at times too. Thanks JHH.

 

[Rahe Family Belties]

If you want miniature Herefords, go get them and enjoy them. It is your choice and your business.
They are not for the vast majority of cattlemen, you just have to figure out if they are for you.

Saw some beautiful mini Herfs in Louisville. Wish I had a couple of them myself.

Best wishes-

 

[DLD]

Mini Herefords do not maintain any separation in registery from the rest of the Hereford breed. So really everyone recommending smaller framed Herefords - that's what they are. There are limits to the size of the cattle being shown, though I'm not sure exactly what they are. It's definitely a niche market, but can be a very lucrative one. The other posters are right that these cattle would get beat up beyond belief at the sale barn, but if you have a marketing plan (like the locker beef you mentioned) for the lower quality stuff, the higher end one's can be very valuable for the show ring.

I know there are a few mini Herefords at some open shows, but the bigger demand for show quality ones comes from Texas' pre-junior steer program, which allows kids too young to show in 4H shows to participate (usually along with older siblings, other family or friends, etc...) in regular prospect/market steer shows, by giving them their own division to compete in. If I'm not mistaken, there are mini Hereford classes for older kids at some shows now, too. It's taking hold in Oklahoma now, and probably spreading other places as well. There's a lot of money being spent.

If you do choose to pursue it, I'd try to start out with the best show type genetics I could find. Unless you can cultivate a really good premium market for the beef, selling show prospects is the only way you can make it pay, so you need to be raising good ones.

 

[Twisted-W]

If you want miniature Herefords, go get them and enjoy them. It is your choice and your business.
They are not for the vast majority of cattlemen, you just have to figure out if they are for you.

Saw some beautiful mini Herfs in Louisville. Wish I had a couple of them myself.

Best wishes-

Thanks I appreciate it.

 

[Twisted-W]

Mini Herefords do not maintain any separation in registery from the rest of the Hereford breed. So really everyone recommending smaller framed Herefords - that's what they are. There are limits to the size of the cattle being shown, though I'm not sure exactly what they are. It's definitely a niche market, but can be a very lucrative one. The other posters are right that these cattle would get beat up beyond belief at the sale barn, but if you have a marketing plan (like the locker beef you mentioned) for the lower quality stuff, the higher end one's can be very valuable for the show ring.

I know there are a few mini Herefords at some open shows, but the bigger demand for show quality ones comes from Texas' pre-junior steer program, which allows kids too young to show in 4H shows to participate (usually along with older siblings, other family or friends, etc...) in regular prospect/market steer shows, by giving them their own division to compete in. If I'm not mistaken, there are mini Hereford classes for older kids at some shows now, too. It's taking hold in Oklahoma now, and probably spreading other places as well. There's a lot of money being spent.

If you do choose to pursue it, I'd try to start out with the best show type genetics I could find. Unless you can cultivate a really good premium market for the beef, selling show prospects is the only way you can make it pay, so you need to be raising good ones.

Thanks I appreciate it. They are becoming more popular in our area also. Thanks for the input.
Mark

 

[Beef Man]

Mini Herefords do not maintain any separation in registery from the rest of the Hereford breed. So really everyone recommending smaller framed Herefords - that's what they are. There are limits to the size of the cattle being shown, though I'm not sure exactly what they are. It's definitely a niche market, but can be a very lucrative one. The other posters are right that these cattle would get beat up beyond belief at the sale barn, but if you have a marketing plan (like the locker beef you mentioned) for the lower quality stuff, the higher end one's can be very valuable for the show ring.

I know there are a few mini Herefords at some open shows, but the bigger demand for show quality ones comes from Texas' pre-junior steer program, which allows kids too young to show in 4H shows to participate (usually along with older siblings, other family or friends, etc...) in regular prospect/market steer shows, by giving them their own division to compete in. If I'm not mistaken, there are mini Hereford classes for older kids at some shows now, too. It's taking hold in Oklahoma now, and probably spreading other places as well. There's a lot of money being spent.

If you do choose to pursue it, I'd try to start out with the best show type genetics I could find. Unless you can cultivate a really good premium market for the beef, selling show prospects is the only way you can make it pay, so you need to be raising good ones.

Thanks I appreciate it. They are becoming more popular in our area also. Thanks for the input.
Mark

I did'nt even think about younger kids useing them to show. Sounds interesting to me andshould be a way to get and keep some more young people involved with agriculture. We used to let our younger family members show a calf and they useually did well and sure believe that it taught them a lot of things.

 

[djinwa]

I called up a miniature Hereford breeder in our state. Said she sells heifers for $3500, but she's all sold out.

Who knows, maybe it is a racket, but then people pay ridiculous money for dogs and horses and jewelry and cars and whatever.

It is really nobody's business how we each choose to spend our money.

And BTW, these are some quality animals.

http://www.jcross-miniherefords.com/herdsires.html

http://www.jcross-miniherefords.com/cat ... sales.html

 

[slick4591]

I looked into the mini Herefords when I was wanting cattle. Saw several cows/heifers priced in the 20k range. Decided they were a little rich for my wallet and backed off them.