Homestead & Miniature Cattle

Homestead & Miniature CattleHomestead & Miniature CattleHomestead & Miniature Cattle

Homestead & Miniature Cattle

Homestead & Miniature CattleHomestead & Miniature CattleHomestead & Miniature Cattle
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Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)

Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)

a homestead cattle registry
a heritage cattle registry

a miniature cattle registry

a resource for all

About the Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)

The Homestead Cattle Association (HCA) was established in 2013 to register livestock in an open general stud & herd book. HCA also maintains a Miniature Cattle Registry, the Irish Jersey & Belfair Cattle Registry, the U.S. Normande Organization, and several other herd books as needed for unique breeds or populations of homestead and miniature cattle. HCA was not formed to compete with other registries; it was established to provide supplemental herd book services for cattle ineligible in other registries, and for cattle not specifically, or adequately, represented elsewhere. HCA herd books issue registration certificates that are globally accepted, with internationally recognized breed codes, providing cattle owners an advantage when collecting frozen genetics, entering shows, or exporting across borders or overseas. HCA provides registry & member services & resources for all owners & breeders, especially helpful for those new to the cattle industry.

About Homestead & Miniature Cattle

In general, homestead and miniature breeds of cattle differ from other breeds in these areas:


  • BREEDS:  Homestead & Miniature cattle are defined by their traits, not necessarily by their breeds—they are found in a number of breeds, including crossbreds and composite breeds.
  • SIZE:  Small cattle are easier to handle and easier on the land. Most homestead cattle are miniature, but many are small framed or mid-sized, and a few are standard sized.
  • TEMPERAMENT:  Quiet natured, gentle, friendly. Easier on facilities and fences.
  • PETS: Some Miniature Cattle (mostly mixed breeds) are raised for the pet cattle market, which is a world of its own. Pet cattle are selected for small frame scores, gentle temperament, fluffy fur, and attractive colors and markings. The pet cattle market can be lucrative, but risky; it is subject to trends, scams and market volatility. Pet cattle are not necessarily selected to meet the rest of these descriptive traits...
  • GRASSFED:  Ideal homestead & miniature cattle provide excellent (tender, tasty & well-marbled) beef, and/or dairy products, on grass (and hay) alone (no grain). Some, called browsers, thrive on rough pasture; and help clear scrub land, much like goats do.
  • CONFORMATION:  Cattle with grass fed genetics tend to be smaller, but wider and deeper bodied, with well-sprung ribs and shorter legs. Many trace to old breeds or heritage bloodlines, descended from centuries of selection to fatten on grass & hay alone, in harsh climates, without grain.
  • PROFIT:  Homestead & miniature cattle excel in small-acreage, single-family or direct sales programs. They are bred for optimum production per acre. They are not bred for maximum, commercial, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs); for producing large uniform calf crops to sell each fall at the local auction barn.
  • EFFICIENCY:  Miniature breeds may eat only half as much as standard breeds of cattle. They are typically healthy little cattle that live longer than modern breeds, producing for many years. Over time, compared to larger, commercial breeds of cattle, homestead & miniature cattle can produce more pounds of healthier food, with less dollar of input per acre, for more years.


» also see: BREEDS; read more about markets, breed differences, selecting a breed.

Services provided by Homestead Cattle Association

Homestead Cattle Registry

Homestead Cattle Registry

The HCA maintains a general herd book registry open to any qualifying homestead cattle that need their pedigree recorded. Use to register hardship, mis-marked, off-colored, purebred, composite or crossbred cattle.

For all cattle that

  • have a pedigree
  • provide genetic diversity
  • do not have an acceptable herd book

Miniature Cattle Registry

Homestead Cattle Registry

Registration for small homestead cattle

with Frame Scores 1 and below

fullblood, purebred, composite, crossbred...

HCA miniature herd books include:


  • "Panda" cattle
  • "Kentshire" cattle
  • miniature Baldies
  • miniature Belties
  • miniature Galloways
  • miniature Jerseys
  • miniature Scottish Highlands


  • See BREEDS page for list of all Miniature herd books eligible in HCA.


Homestead Herd Books

HCA homestead herd books include:

  • Irish Jersey & Belfair Cattle Registry
  • US Normande Organization (USNO)


  • See BREEDS page for list of all Homestead & Miniature breed herd books eligible in the HCA.

Advanced Farm Management

Advanced Farm Management

Our advanced farm management solutions help you streamline your operations and increase your efficiency. We offer services such as farm planning, budgeting, staff training, and performance monitoring to help you achieve your long-term goals.

Sustainable Energy

Advanced Farm Management

Agricultural Research

At Homestead Cattle Association, we're committed to sustainable energy solutions that help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money. We offer solar, wind, and bioenergy solutions that are customized to your specific needs and budget.

Agricultural Research

Advanced Farm Management

Agricultural Research

Our agricultural research services provide you with the knowledge you need to innovate and succeed in the industry. We conduct research on a range of topics, including plant breeding, soil science, and animal husbandry, to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Miniature Cattle registration - all breeds Frame Scores 1—(-6)

Heritage Certification: available on registration papers for qualifying (100% pure) cattle

Heritage Certification: available on registration papers for qualifying (100% pure) cattle

Check out the HCA


  • Homestead Herd Books: Irish Jersey & Belfair Cattle Registry


  • US Normande Organization (USNO)


  • See BREEDS page for list of all Homestead & Miniature breed herd books in the HCA.


Heritage Certification: available on registration papers for qualifying (100% pure) cattle

Heritage Certification: available on registration papers for qualifying (100% pure) cattle

Heritage Certification: available on registration papers for qualifying (100% pure) cattle

Unrecognized Heritage bloodline cattle exist but are rare, in several popular breeds. Without awareness, these rare heritage bloodlines in Angus, Ayrshire, Guernsey, Hereford, Jersey breeds, etc., are actually becoming endangered. To help preserve these irreplaceable genetics in these now hard-to-find cattle, HCA maintains a free Heritage Cattle Breeder Directory at (heritage-cattle.com).

Homestead & Miniature Cattle Resource Directory

Heritage Certification: available on registration papers for qualifying (100% pure) cattle

Homestead & Miniature Cattle Resource Directory

A free, public service, cattle industry reference website since 2014.


  • Breeder Directories
  • Sire Directory
  • Globally-quoted articles, reports, charts & graphs.
  • Resources for All Homestead & Miniature Cattle Owners: miniature-cattle.com.

Feel free to use any HCA chart or graph on your website:

Homestead & Miniature Cattle industry charts

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Frame Score Chart Females

complete unabridged chart, full size for printing

#

Frame Scores infographic

Cattle Frame Size Classification & Comparison

#

Frame Score Chart Bulls

complete unabridged chart, full size for printing

#

Breed Purity Chart

comparing fractions & percentage of purity

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Frame Score Chart LIGHT

Bulls & Females; abridged version

#

Pedigree Generation Chart

percentage / fractions / generation chart

Contact Us

We'd love to hear from you.

Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)

PO Box 50058, Billings, Montana, 59105 United States

406-591-6568

Drop us a line!

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photo credit: Little Highland Cow having a scratch; 2014, keeppushingthosepedals.blogspot.com

est. © 2013 Homestead Cattle Association - All Rights Reserved.

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