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ARAWALK FARMS & Miniature Zebu Cattle

Currently Registered BULL  named ZEB : The dark Grey/black on the top left is for rent can breed any miniature cow breed, or wait for a purebred Zebu calf from him out of one of the two in the blankets. They are all Registered with the American Miniature Zebu Association and are pure foundation Zebu.
Come see them at the Oregon State Fair in 2014. They are for many uses including 4-H for kids who want to handle their own without the safety concerns of a large breed cow or bull.  Zeb is 40 inches tall at the top of the hump but body size he is only at 35 inches tall. The smallest cow Rosebud-Miss Mini is truly show quality and at the top of the hump she is 29 inshes tall but actual height measured is 27 and a half inch in height.  Still a heifer Zabrina is the light grey at 32 inches at the hump and actual height is 30 inches tall. Rosebud AKA Miss Mini had her first calf a beautiful Tan brindle heifer, and is a wonderful mommy. The heifer was born July 1 2013 at 8:00 PM. Her name is Rozey (not yet pictured), and she has her sire's build and will be taller then her mom. 


The miniature zebu is a
relatively  rare, unique animal here in the U.S.  The breed itself originated in
India, with  records dating back as far as 3000 B.C.  Their first recorded
presence in the  United States occurred in the 1920's when a few animals were
imported for  display in zoological gardens.  

Miniature zebu are thought to be
the  only TRUE miniature breed of cattle in existence that were NOT created by
man.   The breed has naturally evolved over thousands of years to become the
animal you  see today.  Although there have recently become several new
varieties of  miniature cattle, most have been the result of genetic
experimentation and many  have achieved their small size by being bred to the
miniature zebu.  Unlike  these cross breeds, miniature zebu are NOT a
"miniature" version of another full  size species.  God made them naturally just
the way they are, and you will  notice that unlike their man-made cousins, their
appearance is very  proportional, with their legs, heads, and bodies all looking
like they belong  together.

 
Pure miniature zebu are fairly
rare in  North America, with most remaining in their country of origin, India,
where  cattle are considered sacred.  Reports indicate there to be only a couple
  thousand registered pure miniature zebu existing in the United States. 
  Miniature zebu are generally a tropical breed, thriving in hot, humid climates,
  although many animals are owned on farms up north.  They are exceptionally
  resistant to disease and are known to be very easy to care for.  Miniature zebu
  range from 26" to 42" in height, with most averaging 36" to 38", and they
  generally weigh between 200 and 500 pounds, depending on the size of the
  animal.  Life spans of miniature zebu are often 20+ years.Breed
  Purpose 


Miniature zebu are cattle. 
  Functionally speaking, they are no different than any other breed of cattle
  around the world.  They can be used for meat production, dairy production,
labor  animals, etc.  Remember, a cow is a cow is a cow; it doesn't have to be
big to  be a cow.


 In countries like Africa, where
zebu  cattle are more common, zebu are raised for meat and dairy for personal
and  commercial consumption.  They are the breed of choice where quantities of
grass  and other forage are scarce because they require much less food than
their  larger cousins.  They are also used as draft animals to pull carts or
trench  fields.  While the zebu in Africa are generally larger than the
miniature  variety so treasured in the U.S., they look and live very similarly
to their  American cousins.


Because the smallest variation of
zebu  cattle was only recently introduced to the U.S., they are much more rare. 
This  short supply of breeding stock has encouraged most animals to be held for
  breeding purposes and pets, rather than slaughtered for their
  beef.


 Over the next 20 years, as the
breed  becomes more common, and as more large farms become subdivided into
smaller  parcels, the miniature zebu will likely emerge as a breed of choice for
small  farm production, especially when quantities of space, grass, and feed are
  limited.

 
Value 

Registered foundation pure (RFP)
  miniature zebu are very popular and very rare.  Many buyers travel to different
  areas of the country to locate and purchase their animals if they can not find
  them locally.  The current average cost of a RFP miniature zebu bull calf is
  $500 to $2000, while the average cost of a RFP miniature zebu heifer calf is
  $1500 to $3000.  Bulls and cows are normally priced on the higher sides of the
  averages, and it is very common for animals to sell in the $3000 to $10,000
  price range if they are out of quality stock or if they possess small size or
  unique color characteristics. 


Miniature zebu make a great
investment,  with their sale values often doubling the market value of full size
beef  cattle.  A bred miniature zebu cow will often pay for herself with her
first  calf.  With the demand for these unusual animals increasing and the
supply  relatively small, miniature zebu can offer a great investment
  opportunity.

Less
  Investment

 Because miniature zebu are so
much  smaller than regular cattle, there is no need to invest in the high end,
  specialized equipment required to manage normal sized cattle.  The average
horse  or cargo trailer is sufficient to move animals.  Even goat trailers or
truck bed  cages will work.  No additional fencing need be provided as panel
fence, field  fence, barbed wire fence, even hotwire can effectively contain
miniature zebu.   Interlocking portable horse pen panels can be used to contain
and corral  miniature zebu without the need to invest in heavy duty, permanent
corrals and  loading chutes.  Due to their small size, mini cattle are less
likely to damage  your fences and equipment.  Miniature zebu eat roughly a third
of what a full  size cow might eat, thus they require far less land investment
and far less  winter hay.  They are extremely resistant to many of the health
problems  encountered by regular cattle, and usually require significantly less
veterinary  and health care expense than the average cattle
operation.


 The less you spend on equipment,
feed,  and maintenance, the more profitable your cattle venture will
be.


 BOTTOM LINE - MINIATURE ZEBU CATTLE WILL
COST  YOU LESS, SAVE YOU MORE, AND MAKE YOU MONEY IN THE
PROCESS!

There is nothing else quite like
a  miniature zebu, which makes them quite a novelty.  They are still quite rare,
  and most people have never heard of them.  It is interesting to see people's
  reactions after having seen them for the first time.  They are amazed at how
  small and gentle they are, and I've not met a person yet who did not like them.
   Having a miniature zebu is kind of like having a laptop computer instead of a
  desktop, getting all the function in a smaller package. 


Many people like having something
  unique and interesting to look at.  Their are several different color
variations  of miniature zebu that can also make their appearance more
enjoyable, including  whites, blacks, grey/blues, reds, paints, spotted, and
various combinations of  all.  It can also be fun to explore breeding options to
try and get smaller and  more colorful animals.  It seems that "the smaller the
better" holds true with  miniature zebu cattle.


Many people enjoy having and
caring for  farm/livestock animals, but are looking for an alternative to the
horse that  never gets ridden, or the dog nobody wants to take for a walk.  Many
of these  same people want something of manageable size that requires little
maintenance.   Miniature zebu cattle are the perfect match.


 Kids
& Family


 Simply put, miniature zebu make
great  pets!  They can be every bit as lovable and affectionate as a big dog,
  especially if they are bottle raised.  They will become as tame as you try to
  make them, and we've found that even the wildest zebu can become gentle with a
  little extra time and patience.  Miniature zebu can be halter broken and
trained  to walk on a lead.


Often times, kids are intimidated
by  large animals.  Miniature zebu present a great opportunity for kids to
connect  with an animal that is smaller, easier to train, and easier to care
for.  Taking  care of animals, in general, teaches kids responsibility.  The
miniature zebu's  small size and gentle disposition make them easier and safer
to handle by  kids.


 Miniature zebu are always a hit
at  fairs and as 4-H projects.  Bottle fed calves and the kids leading them
receive  plenty of attention.  Many zebu owners display their animals at fairs,
4-H  events, and even participate in regional shows and
competitions.


 Miniature zebu are becoming very
  popular at petting zoos and traveling children's displays.  They are just so
  unique to look at, and so gentle, people love them.  After all, it's not every
  day that people get to pet and play with a cow.  


Miniature zebu get along with
other  livestock very well, and they make a great addition to any farm
  family.
There is an ever growing national
  movement toward home-grown, grass fed beef.  Many Americans are seeking a
  healthy, drug and chemical free alternative to store bought foods.  Miniature
  zebu, while valuable for re-sale, can also be raised at home to provide a
health  conscious family with an endless supply of natural beef.  Mature animals
are  much smaller than full grown cattle and are just right to fill the freezer
of a  growing family.


 There are articles available on
the  internet from people who milk their miniature zebu.  I've never tried it,
but  they say that it is exceptionally rich in butter fat and the contents can
be  used to make cheese and other products.  They also say the milk is delicious
and  retains many of the nutrients that are otherwise killed during the packing
and  shipping process.  It might sound crazy not to just run to the store for
milk,  but I guess everyone got their milk this way 100 years
ago.


 Need some landscaping
maintenance?   Some people get these hearty, easy to manage little animals to
help clear brush  on a thick piece of property, or to keep yard and pasture
grass short so they  don't have to mow as often. 


Miniature zebu are a breed of
choice in  many kids rodeos.  They can be used as bucking bulls or ropers.  I
don't think  I'd be too thrilled about my kid tying himself on to a 1500 lb.
Brahma, but  maybe a 300 to 400 lb. mini zebu isn't so bad.


 Miniature zebu are becoming more
of a  staple at petting zoos these days.  They are a lot more realistic to house
and  maintain in small quarters around small children than a full sized breed of
  cow.  Even our local zoo has a miniature zebu in its petting area (in case
  you're wondering, it did not come from me).


 The list of uses and reasons to
own  miniature zebu are as different as the people who own them.  These animals
have  proven to be very versatile, easy to keep, and a great value for those who
keep  them.   They are a joy to own!

For
the Horse Owner


 Miniature zebu get along
greatwith horses!


 While horses have a big appetite
and  eat a lot of grass, miniature zebu eat less than a third of what a regular
cow  eats, leaving far more grass for your horses.


Miniature zebu require very
little  maintenance and won't distract you from your horses.


Your family and friends (and
maybe even  your horses) will fall in love with your little mini cows, I
promise. 


 Your neighbors will want to buy
your  calves when they see what a great thing you've got going.  (They'll think
you're  a genius!)         


That should settle
it.



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