I have a miniature Jersey/Lowline cross, who is my sweet little princess. She's 33" tall right now, and 1 1/2 years old. We just got the call today that her 'boyfriend' is ready to come home with us. He is also Jersey/Lowline cross, but reversed (she is mostly Jersey, he is mostly Lowline). We chose this combination so we will get good calves, no matter what. If she has a heifer - the Jersey makes for a great milker. If she has a bull (to be quickly converted to a steer), we get a freezer full of Black Angus beef!
Mini cows can be kept 4 per acre; they require 30% of the food of a standard cow, but provide 70% of the meat; a mini milker provides 50-75% of the milk of her full size counterpart. Can you tell I'm geeked about miniature cattle?!!
Mini cows can be kept 4 per acre; they require 30% of the food of a standard cow, but provide 70% of the meat; a mini milker provides 50-75% of the milk of her full size counterpart. Can you tell I'm geeked about miniature cattle?!!
My baby girl is not 'pure', but she can be registered (we are waiting - she needs to be 3 years old to take a true height. If she stays under 36"-or 38, I can't remember which, she can be registered as a micro-mini, and her calves will be more valuable). The miniature cattle market is still in it's infancy in this country, so costs presently reflect that. Dexters are somewhat cheaper, are usually about the same size (about 42" fully grown) and are a great option. I jumped at the chance to buy Ice Cream (my princess), because she can give me 2-3 gallons of 4% butterfat milk per day, she's a great lawn mower/fertilizer who doesn't damage the turf, and she needed me (she was sick, and I nursed her back to health). 
