Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about Miniature Herefords:
1) What do you do with a Miniature Hereford and is it registered?
Answer: Yes, they are registered with the American Hereford Association just like their full sized counter parts. Herefords are beef cattle and once again, just like the full sized cattle, Miniature Herefords are beef cows designed to be raised and slaughtered for the freezer (although not a requirement since many MMH customers like our cattle for breeding/pets due to their high quality, calm nature and diverse personalities). As we previously mentioned, the added benefits of the miniature version include better efficiency (less feed!), more head per acre (good for your ag exemption), easy handling and the list goes on!
2) How much does a mini weigh?
Answer: Miniature Herefords, while smaller in stature, are still beef cows. An adult female weighs anywhere from 650 to 800+ pounds, while an adult bull can weigh 1,000+ pounds. A newborn calf typically weighs anywhere from 35-45+ pounds with bull calves weighing more than heifer calves. There is quite a difference when compared to traditional full sized cattle weighing 1,200 to 2,200 pounds! Here at MMH, our cattle are easy keepers and like to be "fluffy"!
3) Are there shows for Miniature Herefords?
Answer: Absolutely! Check out our "Show Results" tab. While there are many shows around the country, MMH tends to stay within Texas. Every year new shows are added. Look for us at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Austin's Star of Texas Rodeo, the State Fair of Texas in Dallas and new this year, San Antonio. There are also many shows geared towards Juniors and PeeWees....Miniature Herefords are everywhere!!
4) What age must you be to show a Miniature Hereford?
Answer: Almost any! Given their gentle nature, Miniature Herefords are perfect for any age. There are Junior and Open divisions at most shows. Juniors must be atleast 4 years old (and an adult must accompany you in the ring) and in the Open classes, there is no age limit - Miniature Herefords are for the young and older alike! Many children start by showing a mini Hereford due to their docile temperment and easy going nature (in most cases!) before "graduating" to full sized steers.
5) How much does a mini Hereford cost?
Answer: As with anything, it depends! There are many factors that influence price - quality, pedigree, age, halterbroken vs non-halterbroken, horned/dehorned/polled etc. In general, a good quality bull calf will start somewhere around $1,500+ and a good quality heifer calf typically starts around $3,000. Show quality animals cost more than range cattle. Bred mature, proven cows are generally worth more than unproven heifers and so on. In some cases, you can buy a very high quality calf at a very young age for less than an older and more developed calf or alternatively, an older cow (e.g. 9+ years) may cost less than a proven 4 yr old cow in her prime. The variables are endless and we would be happy to talk to you about what is available at MMH. Please contact us for more information.
6) What is the difference between:
Cows and Heifers -> heifers are young females that have not had a calf. Cows are older females that have had calves
Horned and Polled -> horned Herefords have horns (that may seem obvious) and polled cattle are genetically breed not to have horns. Many breeders dehorn their cattle (all of MMH's horned adults are dehorned) so its not always apparent. With the addition of SS Kade and soon our second homozygous polled bull, Nitro, we will have a significant number of polled calves in the coming year.
7) What is the process to dehorn cattle?
Answer: there are several different ways but all are typically done before the animal is 18 months old. Some breeders burn the horn bed, other "pinch" it off or scoop it at a young age and still others have a cosmetic dehorn done by the vet. Regardless of process, the younger the animal, the smaller the horn and the easier the process.
8) When do you wean a Miniature Hereford calf?
Answer: every breeder does it differently but typically between 4 and 8 months old. Here at MMH, we wean between 5 and 7 months, depending on the condition and personality of the calf, halter breaking and the mother's well being, among other things.
9) Where are you located?
Answer: Montgomery, Texas - approximately 1 hour north of Houston, near Lake Conroe.
10) When can a Miniature Hereford heifer be bred?
Answer: Heifers are generally bred to calve between 2 and 3 years old. At MMH, we try to time our breeding so that our heifers are typically bred to calve right around their 2nd birthday.
11) Why are the MMH cows so friendly?
Answer: We spend time with them every day! We do not want cattle that are difficult to handle - whether its moving fields or loading into a trailer, we want it to be easy! We do not have chutes or pens so EVERY ONE of our cattle must be gentle and accustomed to handling. From the day they are born, our cattle see us daily and while they still react differently when strangers visit, they quickly warm up when presented with a cube or two!
12) Can we visit?
Answer: Of course - but please make an appointment! We have had visitors from all over the world. Some people just want to see what a mini looks like, others want to reminience about their family's cattle (it turns out Hereford breeders are loyal!), but most are interested in having their own minis. We always recommend you see the cattle in the field, as well as the show ring, as the same animal is going to look different cleaned, blowed dry and clipped than she does playing in the field. Regardless, all are welcome- just give us a call or email to make an appointment.
13) Help?!?
Answer: Of course - when you purchase cattle from MMH, you become part of our family. We want our cows to do well with us - and with you! If you have any questions or need help, we are always just a phone call (if not a quick drive) away, as you will find with most mini breeders. We love the breed and want you to as well!
Answer: Yes, they are registered with the American Hereford Association just like their full sized counter parts. Herefords are beef cattle and once again, just like the full sized cattle, Miniature Herefords are beef cows designed to be raised and slaughtered for the freezer (although not a requirement since many MMH customers like our cattle for breeding/pets due to their high quality, calm nature and diverse personalities). As we previously mentioned, the added benefits of the miniature version include better efficiency (less feed!), more head per acre (good for your ag exemption), easy handling and the list goes on!
2) How much does a mini weigh?
Answer: Miniature Herefords, while smaller in stature, are still beef cows. An adult female weighs anywhere from 650 to 800+ pounds, while an adult bull can weigh 1,000+ pounds. A newborn calf typically weighs anywhere from 35-45+ pounds with bull calves weighing more than heifer calves. There is quite a difference when compared to traditional full sized cattle weighing 1,200 to 2,200 pounds! Here at MMH, our cattle are easy keepers and like to be "fluffy"!
3) Are there shows for Miniature Herefords?
Answer: Absolutely! Check out our "Show Results" tab. While there are many shows around the country, MMH tends to stay within Texas. Every year new shows are added. Look for us at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Austin's Star of Texas Rodeo, the State Fair of Texas in Dallas and new this year, San Antonio. There are also many shows geared towards Juniors and PeeWees....Miniature Herefords are everywhere!!
4) What age must you be to show a Miniature Hereford?
Answer: Almost any! Given their gentle nature, Miniature Herefords are perfect for any age. There are Junior and Open divisions at most shows. Juniors must be atleast 4 years old (and an adult must accompany you in the ring) and in the Open classes, there is no age limit - Miniature Herefords are for the young and older alike! Many children start by showing a mini Hereford due to their docile temperment and easy going nature (in most cases!) before "graduating" to full sized steers.
5) How much does a mini Hereford cost?
Answer: As with anything, it depends! There are many factors that influence price - quality, pedigree, age, halterbroken vs non-halterbroken, horned/dehorned/polled etc. In general, a good quality bull calf will start somewhere around $1,500+ and a good quality heifer calf typically starts around $3,000. Show quality animals cost more than range cattle. Bred mature, proven cows are generally worth more than unproven heifers and so on. In some cases, you can buy a very high quality calf at a very young age for less than an older and more developed calf or alternatively, an older cow (e.g. 9+ years) may cost less than a proven 4 yr old cow in her prime. The variables are endless and we would be happy to talk to you about what is available at MMH. Please contact us for more information.
6) What is the difference between:
Cows and Heifers -> heifers are young females that have not had a calf. Cows are older females that have had calves
Horned and Polled -> horned Herefords have horns (that may seem obvious) and polled cattle are genetically breed not to have horns. Many breeders dehorn their cattle (all of MMH's horned adults are dehorned) so its not always apparent. With the addition of SS Kade and soon our second homozygous polled bull, Nitro, we will have a significant number of polled calves in the coming year.
7) What is the process to dehorn cattle?
Answer: there are several different ways but all are typically done before the animal is 18 months old. Some breeders burn the horn bed, other "pinch" it off or scoop it at a young age and still others have a cosmetic dehorn done by the vet. Regardless of process, the younger the animal, the smaller the horn and the easier the process.
8) When do you wean a Miniature Hereford calf?
Answer: every breeder does it differently but typically between 4 and 8 months old. Here at MMH, we wean between 5 and 7 months, depending on the condition and personality of the calf, halter breaking and the mother's well being, among other things.
9) Where are you located?
Answer: Montgomery, Texas - approximately 1 hour north of Houston, near Lake Conroe.
10) When can a Miniature Hereford heifer be bred?
Answer: Heifers are generally bred to calve between 2 and 3 years old. At MMH, we try to time our breeding so that our heifers are typically bred to calve right around their 2nd birthday.
11) Why are the MMH cows so friendly?
Answer: We spend time with them every day! We do not want cattle that are difficult to handle - whether its moving fields or loading into a trailer, we want it to be easy! We do not have chutes or pens so EVERY ONE of our cattle must be gentle and accustomed to handling. From the day they are born, our cattle see us daily and while they still react differently when strangers visit, they quickly warm up when presented with a cube or two!
12) Can we visit?
Answer: Of course - but please make an appointment! We have had visitors from all over the world. Some people just want to see what a mini looks like, others want to reminience about their family's cattle (it turns out Hereford breeders are loyal!), but most are interested in having their own minis. We always recommend you see the cattle in the field, as well as the show ring, as the same animal is going to look different cleaned, blowed dry and clipped than she does playing in the field. Regardless, all are welcome- just give us a call or email to make an appointment.
13) Help?!?
Answer: Of course - when you purchase cattle from MMH, you become part of our family. We want our cows to do well with us - and with you! If you have any questions or need help, we are always just a phone call (if not a quick drive) away, as you will find with most mini breeders. We love the breed and want you to as well!
