Instructions
Determine your target customer and choose breeds wisely. People buy miniature cattle for reasons ranging from status to health. Determine to which customer you wish to cater. Some families use them as pets; breeders use them as an investment and hence look for higher-priced breeds. Some farmers want miniature cattle to produce milk or beef for their family, in which case lower-priced breeds are generally preferred. If you are looking to pander to the health-conscious buyers, find a breed that can be grown well without the use of hormones and antibiotics. Stating that your miniature cattle are organic will fetch you higher returns from such customers. If you are planning to sell your cattle to a beef manufacturer, buy a breed that can be made to gain weight quickly to reach the desired carcass quality.
Learn about breeds. Various breeds of miniature cattle are available, all less than 42 inches at complete maturity when they reach 3 years of age. The smaller the size, the greater the value, primarily because of the savings on feed. Miniature cattle eat about one-third the quantity of standard size cattle. The most popular breeds include the miniature Lowline, miniature Hereford and miniature Dexter. Speak to the cattle breeder from whom you are purchasing. Find out about life cycle of the breeds, the maximum weight they can be bred to and any special care you need to provide.
Have a good marketing strategy. Use techniques to market your miniature cattle to the target customers. Advertise in magazines, use flyers, send out a press release and put advertisements in local newspapers. Display your cattle during local fairs and cattle associations meetings, and hold a farm open house to spread word of your breeds. Ask customers who are already purchasing produce from your small acreage farm to help through word-of-mouth references.
How to Make Money With Miniature Cattle
For most small acreage farm owners, the prime criteria for choosing cattle breeds are financial viability and ease of handling. This is where miniature cattle provide a sound investment option. Being naturally of a quiet temperament, they are easier to manage than larger breeds. The limited feed intake of these breeds significantly reduces production costs for the farmer. They mature faster and have lean carcasses. There is no compromise however, on the quality and flavor of the beef; this ensures that miniature cattle fetch good returns on investment.