Minicows find their way among big breeds

TEKAMAH, Neb., May 23 (UPI) -- Miniature dairy and meat cattle are becoming increasingly popular in the United States as feed prices skyrocket, fans of the little cows said.

The total number of minicows is estimated at about 20,000, up from fewer than 5,000 a decade ago, the International Miniature Cattle Breeds Registry said.

Minicows are not genetically engineered and they're not dwarfs. They came from original breeds brought from Europe in the 1800s that were smaller than today's full-sized cows, Ron Lemenager, professor of animal science at Purdue University told the Los Angeles Times in a story published Saturday.

Mini-Herefords, Angus and Jerseys weigh in at 500 to 700 pounds, compared with 1,300 pounds or more for full-sized Herefords.

The little cows are easier to handle and eat about half of what a full-sized cow eats, yet their stocky, compact bodies produce 50 percent to 75 percent in rib-eyes and fillets, said farmer Ali Peterson of Tekamah, Neb.

"We get more sirloin and less soup bone," Peterson said. "People used to look at them and laugh. Now, they want to own them."