An Alberta veterinarian thinks miniature Herefords can change twin calves from a curse to a blessing.
“I can successfully implant two or even three miniature Hereford embryos in a full-sized cow of any breed and she can rear them – provided she isn’t so tall the calves can’t reach her udder – and have her produce a litter of fine, healthy calves destined for the meat industry,” says Lori Fraser of Wetaskiwin.
She said the smaller calves can solve problems usually associated with multiple births, such as milk shortage, rejected smaller animals, supplemental or hand feeding, difficult births, potential sterility in females born with males, and health problems.
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The miniatures produce a calf that is 50-65 pounds at birth and will finish well on grass or hay in less than 18 months. Carcasses weigh 300-350 lb., about 60 percent of their 500 lb. body weight.
“They are more feed efficient than full-sized cattle,” she said.
“They produce less bone and more meat by virtue that they have been bred for shorter legs and smaller stature. They spend less energy producing legs.”
As well, first-calf births are easier for miniature heifers than they are for full-sized Herefords.
“They are just smaller animals,” Fraser said.
“They were selectively bred to be smaller, but otherwise they are identical to the rest of the breed. The meat cuts are about 40 percent smaller than those of their larger brothers and sisters.”
Fraser feels there is a market for the smaller meat cuts in Canada, Europe and New Zealand, where that trend is already catching on.
Smaller animals are also easier on pastures, Fraser added.
The animals can thrive in areas where soft pastures or low stocking rates are required without leaving a “big boot print” on the land.
Fraser has been working with an investor in Alberta and hopes to begin offering the embryos to cattle producers in the near future.
She uses ultrasound to determine optimum flushing and insemination timing.
“You can get between 12 and 30 embryos with each successful flushing, so the opportunity to implant a lot of cattle is possible from only a few (miniature) cows.”
Dwarfism isn’t allowed in miniature Herefords, which can be registered as Herefords with breed associations.
