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Random Pics Jr. Rodeo Bull - Spitfire! Horse for Sale
Random Pics Jr. Rodeo Bull - Spitfire! Horse for Sale
It seems everywhere we drive outside the city limits we see urban sprawl. Because of our growing population, the spreading out of city residents and services to the countryside is turning good farm and ranch land into strip malls and housing projects. Would be farmers and ranchers are moving out of the cities on to small 5 to 10 acre ranchettes.
These
diminished acreage's have lead to the need for a smaller, more
productive breed of cattle. Miniature Zebu is the breed to meet this
need. On 5 acres, a rancher can raise (2) two large, full size beef
cattle. But 5 acres can accommodate up to (10) ten Miniature Zebu.
Sales of Miniature Zebu are on the rise. Zebu eats less and therefore
cost less to feed, they are less destructive to pasture. Their
diminutive size makes them easier to handle.
Miniature
Zebu differs from other small cattle in that they are a natural breed.
They are not just bred to be tinier and tinier each generation or
aren’t just the results of a breeding-gone-bad. This breed is actually
one of the oldest known cattle breeds, dating back to 6000 BC. They
are believed to have originated in Southern India or Sri Lanka, where
they are referred to as Nadudana cattle, or “small cattle” in Hindu.
Miniature Zebu is of the “Bos primigenius indicus” of the Bovine
family, whereas their ancestors, the larger breed of Brahman cattle are
“Bos indicus”. A few of these were imported in the 1920’s for
zoological gardens in this country and from there the breed has
flourished in the United States.
Aside
from their size, one of the distinguishing characteristics is a
well-developed hump, especially on the mature bull. They have the
Brahman look except a miniature zebu’s ears are erect rather than
pendulous. Both bulls and cows have horns of moderate size. In
comparison to conventional breeds of cattle, Miniature Zebu is slow to
mature. It appears that the smaller the animal, the older they are
when they first breed. It is normal for a heifer to give birth to her
first calf at around 30 to 36 months of age. This is one of the
reasons that they are relatively rare in the United States.
Miniature
Zebu is a hearty, disease resistant breed of cattle. This is a
tropical breed that loves hot weather and will lie in full sun on the
hottest days of the year. On windy or cold days they prefer to spend
their time inside a shelter. As long as you furnish them with proper
housing in the winter months, they will do fine.
Miniature
cattle are much easier on the land, pasture, fencing and equipment and
are considerably safer for children to be around. They are also easier
and safer to confine for veterinarian care. Expensive fencing and
heavy-duty equipment is not needed. Generally, these animals are not a
primary food-producing breed, which means they are not generally used
for production of beef. However, one of the advantages to raising
Miniature Zebu cattle, if meat is your goal, is that you are looking at
a 600-pound animal and after butchering your yield will be about 60%.
That’s 350 to 400 pounds of lean beef, just the right amount to fill
the family freezer.
A
Miniature Zebu breeder has up to six different markets for their
newborn calves: pets, beef, breeding animals, mini milkers, junior
rodeo stock and show cattle. About 70% of the Miniature Zebu sold
today is being sold as pets. Many of the professional couples that are
moving out of the cities and occupying those 3 to 5 acre mini
ranchettes are looking for four legged lawn mowers. You do not own
Miniature Zebus, they own you. Kay Byerly of Dry Creek Farm in
Terrell, Texas put it the best I have ever heard, “Oh my goodness, I
feel sorry for anyone who does not own Zebu…they are such a joy!”
Miniature
Zebu cattle can make excellent milking cows. The normal Jersey or
Holstein milk cow can produce up to 5 gallons of milk per day, more
than the average family can use. Your mini-milker, a Zebu, will
produce a gallon of milk that is very high in butterfat and the quality
of milk cannot be beat.
Several
rodeo outfitters are now carrying a string of junior rodeo bulls and
feel that the only true rodeo bulls are the Brahman like Miniature
Zebu. They feel that the 6 to 12 year old rodeo enthusiasts prefer
full-grown Miniature Zebu bulls to calves from full size cattle. Aside
from the rodeo uses, Miniature Zebu cattle are also the ideal show
cattle for the younger 4H and FAA participants. They are small in size
and easy to handle. The Miniature Zebu is an excellent exhibition
breed of cattle. They cohabit well with other animals, they don’t eat
as much as the large breeds, and are easier to handle and care for.
Some
of the other characteristics promoted by breeders are that this breed
has a long life span, living 20 plus years with good care. They are
intelligent, resistant to flies due to their very active sub-dermal
(under the skin) twitching muscles. They have functional sweat glands
that aid in cooling which makes them more heat tolerant.
In
the early 1990’s a group of enthusiasts met to establish the
International Miniature Zebu Association whose registry would gather
and maintain the studbook of this breed. Under the registration
guidelines to be classified as miniature, the mature height cannot
exceed 42 inches, but most Zebu breeders strive to raise cattle in the
34” to 38” range. Mature cows will weigh 300 to 400 pounds with the
bulls ranging from 400 to 600 pounds. Although gray is the most
common, colors range from black, red, spotted or steel gray to almost
pure white. In mature bulls, the neck shoulders and hump may be nearly
black.
A .pdf file with more great info on Miniature Cattle
