ABOUT US

The Miniature Hereford Association of Canada was formed in February of 2000 by a small group of Miniature Hereford breeders that came together to work as a group towards the promoting, marketing and the educating of the public on the benefits and the rewards of raising Miniature Hereford cattle. The Association's goals are to provide information to those that are interested in Miniature Hereford cattle and as well as assisting new and already established breeders in the promotion, marketing and to find new venues to gain and increase their recognition in the beef industry.

Miniature Hereford cattle are not a new breed but a reinvented portion of an already existing breed - the Hereford. The aim was to produce a cow that would raise and sell more beef per acre and a calf that would gain profitably and provide a more desirable size steak with less cost to the producer. Each Miniature Hereford cow will wean a calf weighing a higher percentage of her mature weight. The national average weaning ratio is approximately 35 to 40% as compared to the 65% or better weaning ratio of the Miniature Hereford thus making them much more economical. They also exhibit an increased tenderness due to a shorter muscle cell structure, genetics and early maturity, a higher dressing percentage and a greater rib eye area per hundred weight. The average rib eye area is usually stated as being one square inch per 100 pounds of live body weight. The Miniature Herefords average 1.5 inch rib eye per 100 pounds of live body weight, this increase indicates a greater percentage of higher valued cuts of beef. These traits are outstanding when compared to the modern beef animal.

Miniature Herefords are an ideal bovine for the backyard beef industry; for those people that have moved from the city to acreage's, and small hobby farms. They may be considered pets, enjoyed as a hobby, treated as a secondary source of income or employed as a full time business. Since their smaller frame makes them more suitable to the average family to raise, they may be used to produce personal backyard beef or may be sold as steers for an extra income. They produce a consistent and nutrient dense, smaller choice cuts of beef that a single family can consume within the recommended freezer shelf life.

The future of the Miniature Hereford is limitless with their potential due to their beef producing ability combined with their feed efficiency and ease of handling.