Executive Summary: State of the Mini Hereford Report

This State of the Mini Hereford Executive Summary provides highlights from 119 breeders worldwide, covering profiles, herd size, production, market trends, and community feedback.

BREEDER PROFILE

• 77% of breeders raise only registered mini Herefords.

• 71% of breeders manage polled and horned genetics, with only 19% focusing solely on polled cattle.

• Breeders (from the survey) span 29 U.S. states and four countries (New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, and the United States), with Texas (26%) leading, followed by Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

• More than 65% of respondents have herds of 20 head or fewer, reflecting the breed’s popularity with small-acreage and hobby farms.

• 8% of respondents reported having 50+ head

PRODUCTION & HERD MANAGEMENT

• Stocking rates vary depending on pasture quality, climate, and grazing strategy—37% use one cow per acre, and 17% use two cows per acre.

• Higher-Density Stocking: 9% have three cows per 1 acre, reflecting higher forage productivity or rotational grazing.

• Lower-Density Stocking: Breeders in arid regions or on native pastures reported lower rates, such as one cow per 2 acres (12%) or one cow per 3 acres (7%).

• 52% of breeders sell mini Hereford beef, showing a growing interest in direct-to-consumer beef production. Most beef breeders process only 1-5 steers annually, pointing to the breed’s role in small-scale beef production.

• Common health issues include: *(Note: breeders gave multiple responses, so each was counted separately)

• Pink eye (59%)

• Lice (37%)

• Calving complications (16%)

• Respiratory issues (16%)

• Hoof rot (11%)

• Cancer eye (8%)

SALES, MARKETING, AND PRICING

• Due to an error on the survey form, only 72 (60.5%) of 119 respondents could be calculated for the question regarding the average sale price for mini Herefords. However, 49% of the 72 respondents reported selling most mini Herefords for $1501-$2500.

• Steers typically sell for less than $1500, indicating a primary use for beef production.

• Premium animals, like show-quality heifers and donor cows, command higher prices, selling for $3501-$5000+.

• Heifers range from below $1000 up to $5000+.

• Most bull sales occur in the $1001-$2500 range.

• Cows dominate the $2001-$5000+ range, suggesting that experienced cows (possibly pregnant or donor cows) command higher prices.

• Breeders target multiple markets: *(Note: Since breeders could choose multiple categories, the percentages add up to more than 100%.)

• 71% market to hobby farmers and breeding market

• 66% market to show cattle market

• 34% market to pet buyers

• 45% market to beef buyers

• 8% keep them all

• Livestock shows (55%) and word of mouth (42%) are key discovery methods, followed by internet searches (34%) and social media (32%).

SHOW COMMUNITY & BREED INTEGRITY

• Exhibitor Participation:

• 56% of breeders exhibit mini Herefords at livestock shows, with the majority attending 1-5 shows annually.

• Concerns About Breed Integrity:

• 29% of breeders are concerned about height standards, particularly with Herefords being shown as mini Herefords.

• Breeders also want to see better enforcement of show rules and more certified/experienced judges who understand mini Hereford cattle.

• Many breeders called for unifying the two Junior National shows to create a more consistent competition structure for youth exhibitors.

HEIGHT PREFERENCES

• Female Height:

• 80% of breeders prefer mini Hereford females in the 41-45 inch range.

• 46% of breeders prefer a height of 41-43 inches.

• 34% of breeders prefer a height of 44-45 inches.

• Only 17% of breeders prefer females in the 35-40 inch range, and just 3% prefer cows taller than 45 inches.

• Bull Height:

• 69% of breeders prefer mini Hereford bulls in the 44-48 inch range.

• 37% of breeders prefer a height of 44-45 inches.

• 32% of breeders prefer a height of 46-48 inches.

• Only 10% of breeders prefer bulls in the 35-40 inch range, and just 5% prefer bulls taller than 48 inches.

Key Takeaways

1. Registered mini Herefords: 69% prioritize registered cattle, reflecting breeder focus on breeding stock, show cattle, and the hobby farm market.

2. Beef production growth: 52% of breeders sell mini Hereford beef, typically processing 1-5 steers yearly, signaling increased direct-to-consumer beef production.

3. Rising sales prices: Most mini Herefords sell for $1501-$2500, with premium animals like show-quality heifers and donor cows often exceeding $3500. Steers sell for under $1500.

4. Show participation: 52% of breeders exhibit mini Herefords at 1-5 shows per year. Calls for unification of Junior Nationals and certified judges are growing.

5. Breed integrity: Breeders seek stronger enforcement of height standards and consistent show rules.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. A full report will be available online, offering insights for breeders, industry leaders, and The Mini Hereford Journal about the breed’s status and growth opportunities.