We have recently purchase two miniature Jersey heifers due to calve next spring. Miniature Jersey cows are a relatively new breed of small cattle designed to give 1-3 gallons of milk a day on much less pasture and feed then a large cow. They are a good sized animal for a small family and do not require the quantity of land a large Jersey requires. In addition they are easier to handle due to their small size. Miniature Jerseys need to be under 42 inches tall to be registered as Miniature stock. However, they can be 42 - 46 inches tall to be registered as mid sized Miniature. Currently the registry is accepting animals that are part Jersey to help with genetic diversity. Here is a quote from the mini Jersey registry that explains the process:

" 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 they reach 7/8 or more Miniature Jersey blood. This is known as the Miniature Jersey Up breeding Program."

These girls are 5/8 miniature Jersey, the other part being white Galloway. They are bred to a gorgeous 39 inch miniature Jersey bull named Son of Fat Louie. He is a stunning little bull that throws excellent type, we are very exited to see what we get from these girls. We are hoping to milk these girls next spring as well as get some nice claves from them. Though both have the Galloway color they exhibit a lot of Jersey type and we hope will provide us with Jersey quality milk as well.  The calves they produce will be over 80 % Mini Jersey and we are hoping for a heifer or two. Our long term plan is to breed smaller and more typey Jersey cows that produce excellent milk and have great temperaments. By starting with non pure cows we will have to wait longer before having pure bred stock, but we will also have a genetically diverse group of cattle that will be easy to develop into a hardy strain of Mini Jerseys.

Son of Fat Louie

39 inch bull that my girls are bred to. He is owned by Fonnie Thoman of River View Farms. When I went to visit I foolishly forgot a camera so did not get pictures of some of his gorgeous offspring. I know he looks just like a full sized Jersey from the picture, but he is truly a tiny little guy that just has wonderful conformation.

Saturn

 Saturn is 42.5 inches tall and about 450 lbs. She used to have horns (cut off for safety) so I decided to call her Saturn since Saturn  the planet has a ring around it.  I think Saturn has the better conformation of the two girls we own.

Mars

Mars is 43 inches tall and about 475 lbs. She has calved before and does not have horns. She is the more curious of the two girls and has a great personality. While her conformation is not quite as pleasing as Saturn she does exhibit many desirable traits including being polled (no horns).

Mars left and Saturn right.