Breeding miniature cattle can seem like a simple concept, but we have learned it is definitely not as straight forward as you might think.
It is important to know the chondro status of your breeding stock before you start breeding so that you can make an informed decision about your risk of bulldog calves. You can read more about chondro here.
Unlike other beef breeds that usually get in calf from about 15 months to calve as a two year old, miniature heifers shouldn't be bred until they are at least two years of age - aiming for a first calf as a three year old.
Depending on the breed you might find that heifers do not even start cycling until they are two years of age or older. The bigger and better developed your heifer, the higher the chance of an easy calving.
That being said, we had five cows in calf in 2023 (four were maidens and the fifth was a carry over dairy cow) and 80% of them required assistance - this is something to keep in mind.
It helps to have a mating date so you can calculate a due date, or get your vet to do a dating scan once the bull has gone out and the cow is no longer cycling. This will mean you can keep an eye out for any issues with calving and intervene in a timely manner.
It is also good to consider the seasonal grass growth where you live to try and time calving when there is plenty of feed available - a lactating cow requires more food than a non lactating cow.
If you aren't sure how much area you need, you can use this grazing planner to help you to calculate how much feed you will need.
If you have questions about breeding mini cattle join our Facebook Group where you can learn from other breeders.
