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 recently 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
Breed | Origin | Height/weight | Image |
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Australian Lowline | derived from Aberdeen Angus in Australia[6] |
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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 |
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Miniature Zebu | modern breed register, United States |
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Minivaca (also Bonsai Brahman, Bonsai Zebu) | Mexico, derived from Indu-Brasil[2]:205 |
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Niata | Uruguay, Argentina; now extinct[2]:xxvi | ![]() | |
Somba | Benin, Togo |
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Punganur | Andhra Pradesh, India |
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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 in Australia, similar cattle may be known as "Nadudana". 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
References
- David Barnett (1998). History of Lowlines. In: Foundation Herd Book. Armidale, New South Wales: Australian Lowline Cattle Association.
- 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.
- Rebecca Seal (25 July 2010). Why mini cows could save the planet. The Guardian. Accessed February 2017.
- [Associated Press] (4 January 2006). Miniature Cattle Breed Interest. Los Angeles Times. Accessed February 2017.
- Australian Lowline Cattle: A Rare Breed of Australian Origin. Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand. Accessed February 2017.
- Breed data sheet: Lowline/Australia. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
- Breed data sheet: Dexter/Ireland. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
- Breed data sheet: Lagune/Benin. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
- Breed data sheet: Somba/Benin. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2017.
- Breed data sheet: India: Cattle: Punganur. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2019.