I talk to a number of people who would love to be able to buy a Miniature Jersey for their farm and family. Due to the limited number of Miniature Jerseys available (fewer than 300 total on the registry and less than 100 that are pure blood is my understanding), they are very hard to find and also very expensive. That is exactly the reason why I do not have a whole herd of miniatures (although I hope to reach that goal some day)!
Follow the links below to read the articles on the breeding program put in place by the American Miniature Jersey Association that allows people to use Registered Miniature Jersey Bulls to “breed up” to Miniature Jersey status as they “breed down” in size. Various types of livestock can be used in this program.
http://www.miniaturejerseys.com/getting_started.htm
While many people use various miniature breeds of cattle to cross with the Miniature Jersey, standard size cattle can be used as well. Here is a picture of my little Princess, who is the offspring of a Miniature Jersey Bull (42 inches tall) and a Standard size Jersey (47 inches tall). Princess can be registered as part of AMJA’s “Breed to Pure” program.
The following is a link with pictures of wonderful little dual purpose (used for meat and milk) cattle that are derived from crossing a Miniature Jersey with a Lowline Angus.
http://www.miniaturejerseys.com/jeylow.htm
The following information is taken from the above link:
The Foundation Miniature Jersey is classified as being under 42” in height with a number of them being in the range of 32” to 36” or smaller. For purposes of the American Miniature Jersey Association and Registry the Foundation stock are to be 42” and under. Small Jerseys that are between 42” and 46” will be classified as Mid-sized Jerseys in the registry.
The number of Foundation Miniature Jerseys in the country is very small. Therefore in order to expand the breed and keep it strong and accomplish the popular Miniature size the Registry will accept percentage animals sired by Miniature Jersey registered sires. The breeder can work with the percentage animals and gradually breed them up to the status known as Native Pure (bred in this country). When the females reach 7/8 or more Miniature Jersey blood and the males 15/16ths or more Miniature Jersey blood they will become Native Pure. This is known as the Miniature Jersey breed to pure Program.
(Please follow the link for the entire article.)
With this thought in mind, we have taken some of our best young Angus and Charolois/Angus heifers and bred them to a 42 inch Registered Miniature Jersey bull. The heifers have started calving and we are getting some very nice, small calves that could be used in the AMJA breeding program and that will serve as wonderful dual purpose animals providing the small farm or homestead with a cow that can provide both quality meat and milk.
Some of these calves will be sold and other calves we will retain to add to our breeding program.
