miniature cattle

[NObshere]

I was playing around on the web at work yesterday, and came across miniature cattle. They claim that these little guys (36"-42") reach finished weights much quicker and more efficiently than traditional large breed cattle.The USDA claims that their feed to weight ratio is 1/3 that of a larger breed ,they are docile and easily handled( hidden also) and will finish on just pasture. There were various breeds mentioned from mini jerseys to mini texas long horns. The price varied on breeds and locations from $750-(get ready for this) $35,000. I'm going to look into this some more and will post anything relevant that I find.There are some breeders of mini dexters in Ontario,And some mini breeders of angus and herefords in Alberta. Any one in alberta who would like to get into this sort of thing but does not have the land for it, just leave me a message and I'll get back to you...well back to the grind stone(there's a whole bunch of guys walking towards me with blank looks on their faces)

[icrcc]

Zombies? 

[NObshere]

No engineers

[Gravlore]

Never met an engineer that didn't have a blank look. Especially road engineers.

[NObshere]

Anyhow back to the topic. Another advantage is the amount of waste. Cleaning up cow crap in your winter corrals, handling of the carcass for slaughter/butchering, and the time it takes to proccess your own meat. Time management is becoming more and more important through the summer, don't try to kill yourself with too much work.

[icrcc]

These miniature cattle do indeed seem to offer some real possibilities. I will look into them further as I would like to know what are there grazing requirements. I seems to me that one could easily claim that they were pets making it possible to own them in areas that are not designated for farming.

[wild_E]

that is a good comment actually, as men we tend to go overboard on the working part especially the heavy stuff.

[NObshere]

Yeah none of us are getting younger. Here's an address that will lead you to at least give you a starting pointhttp://smallfarmcanada.ca/2009/small-acreage-try-small-cattle/ Good luck and let me know if you have any success in finding reasonably priced cattle.

[NObshere]

Found some mini angus hereford crosses nearby got to find out the price.

[Jwild101]

You might want to have a look at the "Dexter" cow. Sometimes referred to as the "Irish Dexter"
http://eastofedenfarms.wordpress.com/tag/irish-dexter-cattle/

This is kinda cute http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-vIl74Gqqk
 

[Henry]

I can not even show this postings to my wife because we would have one by spring time. Her dream is to have cow so we can have  lots of milk ,home made butter, cheese, of course it is my job to take care of it. My excuse till now was that cow is too big.
Henry

[icrcc]

Yes well it is still to big. Once they get them down to the size of a large dog and I can keep one in the basement I might consider one. The only trouble is by then they will be genetically modified and I will want nothing to do with them. 

[Jwild101]

Henry .....You'd need more than 1. If I remember correctly they are a dual purpose animal....meat and milk.
 
Icrcc .... something that small I would say your looking for a goat

[NObshere]

I've seen the price tag on dexters no thanks. What would be nice to find is a mini Jersey

[Henry]

ICRCC you are looking for my cat, and you still need bigger basement.
Henry

[Jwild101]

Not sure what the prices are out your way NObshere but in Ontario the around the same price as a Jersey and Herefords

[NObshere]

Not sure what the prices are out your way NObshere but in Ontario the around the same price as a Jersey and Herefords

Dexter bull calf can run from $2000-$30000 and the heifers run $1200-3000 a little steep. And if you look at things from a stand alone self reliant position, you should have a bull and at least 3 cows for genetic diversity.

[Jwild101]

reg bull $1500....
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-pets-livestock-for-sale-Purebred-Registered-Irish-Dexter-Bull-W0QQAdIdZ561233793
 
cows $900....
http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-pets-livestock-for-sale-Dexter-cows-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ561234662
 
Reg Dexter Cow w/ calf $1600
 http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-pets-livestock-for-sale-Registered-Irish-Dexters-W0QQAdIdZ559528110
 
Bit more expensive through the Canadian Dexter Cattle Association, but still a lot cheaper than your numbers
http://www.dextercattle.ca/market.html

[NObshere]

That is a good set of prices, wish it were like that here...