Miniature cattle

Miniature cattle are found in various parts of the world. Some, such as the Dexter of Ireland and the Vechur of Kerala, India, are traditional breeds; others have been created by selective breeding. The Australian Lowline was the unexpected result of a scientific experiment.[1]: 3  Some, but not all, miniature breeds display achondroplasia, or dwarfism.[2]: xxvi 

Compared to larger cattle, miniature cattle require less space and less feed,[3] and may be easier to handle.[4] They do less damage to pasture land, do not need such high or strong fencing,[5] and do not produce as much methane.[3]

Breeds[edit]

Breed Origin Height/weight Image Notes
Achham zebu, Achham District of Nepal[2]: 259 
  • Males: 97 cm
  • Females: 88 cm
Australian Lowline derived from Aberdeen Angus in Australia[6]
  • Males: 110 cm
  • Females: 100 cm
Dexter traditional Irish breed 92–107 cm[7]
Kasagarod traditional breed, Kerala, India 80–90 cm[2]: 322 
Lagune or Dahomey Benin, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Togo
  • Males: 100 cm
  • Females: 80 cm[8]
Miniature Texas Longhorn United States not over 115 cm[9]
Miniature Zebu modern breed register, United States
  • Males: 182–272 kg
  • Females: 136–227 kg
  • Maximum height: 107 cm (42 in)[2]: 245 
Minivaca Mexico about 100 cm[10]: 105  developed from the 1970s at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City by selective breeding of Indu-Brasil for small size.[10]: 105 
Niata Uruguay, Argentina; now extinct[2]: xxvi 
Panda cow United States rare type of black-and-white belted miniature; in 2011 the total number world-wide was estimated at 24 head.[11]
Punganur Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Males: 107 cm, 240 kg
  • Females: 97 cm, 170 kg[12]
Somba Benin, Togo
  • Males: 110 cm
  • Females: 85 cm[13]
Vechur traditional breed, Kerala, India[2]: xxvi 

An American breeder, Richard Gradwohl, has developed eighteen different strains of miniature cattle.[3] Miniature Galloway, Hereford and Holstein have been bred.[2]: 245 [3] In the United States, small zebuine cattle deriving from stock imported from Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Sweden may be registered as "Miniature Zebu";[2]: 245 Similar cattle are known as "Nadudana" in Australia.[14] In the United States, Jersey cattle of the original island type may be known as "Miniature Jersey"; Jersey cows stand about 115–120 cm and weigh some 350 kg.[2]: 212 

The Ethiopian Goffa and Guraghe breeds in the Abyssinian Shorthorned Zebu group are also small.[2]: 99 

References[edit]

  1. ^ David Barnett (1998). History of Lowlines. In: Foundation Herd Book. Armidale, New South Wales: Australian Lowline Cattle Association.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  3. ^ a b c d Rebecca Seal (25 July 2010). Why mini cows could save the planet. The Guardian. Accessed February 2017.
  4. ^ [Associated Press] (4 January 2006). Miniature Cattle Breed Interest. Los Angeles Times. Accessed February 2017.
  5. ^ Australian Lowline Cattle: A Rare Breed of Australian Origin. Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand. Accessed February 2017.
  6. ^ Breed data sheet: Lowline/Australia. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
  7. ^ Breed data sheet: Dexter/Ireland. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
  8. ^ Breed data sheet: Lagune/Benin. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
  9. ^ Regulations for registering Miniature Longhorns with the TLBAA. Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. Archived 28 July 2011.
  10. ^ a b Valerie Porter (2008). The Field Guide to Cattle. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760331927.
  11. ^ [s.n.] (2 January 2011). Rare 'panda cow' born. London: The Telegraph. Accessed December 2022.
  12. ^ Breed data sheet: India: Cattle: Punganur. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2019.
  13. ^ Breed data sheet: Somba/Benin. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
  14. ^ arik (2023-08-11). "The Ultimate Guide to Mini Cows: Breeds, Benefits, and Care". Retrieved 2023-08-15.
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