HISTORY

The Herefords of the 1950's and 1960’s were closer in size to the shorter beefy animals that we see now with the Miniature Hereford, but the "bigger is better" attitude of cattle producers started the increase of frame size to the large framed cattle we see today as Hereford cattle. Miniature Hereford cattle were then redeveloped over a thirty year period that started in the 1970’s by a family of third generation Hereford breeders in Texas. By using seven of the dominant, original Hereford ancestral bloodlines of the early 20th century, they linebred down to achieve a reduced frame size. In essence, they have returned the Hereford to the efficient type of bovine that we saw in the 1950's.

Canada saw its first Miniature Hereford cattle come into the country through Saskatchewan in 1992. From that time on, the increase in breeders has steadily grown with Alberta having the highest concentration of breeders in Canada with small amounts of breeders spread across the country in almost all of the provinces.

Miniature Hereford cattle in Canada are registered with the Canadian Hereford Association located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In keeping with the typical Hereford look, the Miniature Hereford cattle vary only in their frame size. They have the same distinctive color and markings only with a deep bodied frame that is thick, muscular and beefy combined with shorter legs.