Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)

a community for owners of homestead & miniature cattle

marketing, education, networking

registration & certification services

What are Homestead Cattle?

Homestead cattle are small, gentle, hardy, efficient cattle with grassfed genetics that work well on small acreage. Homestead cattle range from old heritage breeds to newly developing composites and crossbreeds. Most homestead & miniature cattle range in size from frame score 2 down to -6. They are bred for placid, friendly, agreeable temperaments. They work well for families with children, or new cattle owners starting out on small acreages, learning about self-sufficiency and livestock management. Due to their quieter nature and smaller size, they require simpler facilities and less expensive fencing. Some homestead breeds of cattle (called browsers) help clear scrub land, much like goats do. They typically live longer than modern breeds, producing for many years. Homestead cattle have grass fed genetics; that is, they produce and thrive on pasture & hay (without grain). Compared to most commercial breeds of cattle, Homestead & Miniature cattle can produce more pounds of food per dollar of input per acre.

2023 SPRING ANNOUNCEMENT: All Homestead & Miniature cattle, of any breed, register FREE when our All Breed Cattle database comes online this spring. Why? Because you are going to do all the work, not me. The Catch? I don't have the exact date yet. Have a calf crop due, or a whole herd to register this year? Not in a rush? Download registration applications below and get started taking pictures and gathering records now.

DETAILS: The All Breed Cattle database comes online soon (scheduled for March 2023). HCA membership includes full access to all of the Homestead & Miniature Cattle Resource Directory (currently at http://miniature-cattle.com) All HCA community members will enjoy unlimited registrations of all their cattle, any homestead or miniature breed, any age. Members will upload their cattle pedigrees, photos, traits, etc., all searchable by the public. Cattle that meet breed standards will be accepted for registration in their appropriate homestead or miniature cattle breed herd book. HCA registered cattle are issued registration certificates with photos and proper Animal ID required in international sales, frozen genetics, and in most interstate and international transport, show classes, auctions and CVI (veterinary health certificates). Members can upload unlimited number of classified photo ads (one is worth the annual membership) on a public searchable cattle sales page. Members can enter an unlimited number of any breed bull(s) in the (public accessible) sire directory. Members can upload documents to verify animal traits (also searchable by the public), including herd health practices disease testing, genetic disease tests, genetic milk trait tests, conformation or quality evaluations, etc. When the All Breed Cattle membership platform comes online, Homestead Cattle Association membership will be offered at $50 for remainder of 2023, $65 for 2024, or $100 for 2023-2024. For current members and registrations already issued, all fees will be applied toward new membership & pricing platform, and all lifetimes will continue to be honored.

Homestead Cattle Association (HCA) Services:

Homestead Cattle Association HCA, Open Herd Book registry for composites, crossbreeds, hardship

The HCA general herd book is open to register any breed or composite that needs a pedigree recorded.

Homestead cattle are breeds that work well on small acreage farms. Homestead cattle are often dual purpose, providing both beef and dairy for a family. They are selected for a quiet, gentle temperament; easy to handle for inexperienced owners or children. Homestead cattle usually have excellent grass fed genetics. Many are browsers, and help clear scrub land like smaller ruminants. Being smaller, they are easier on the land; and usually only require modest facilities and equipment. Most homestead cattle range from miniature to midsize in height. Use the Mini Cattle registration applications below to register any breed of homestead cattle that needs their pedigree recorded.

Herd Books are available to register any Homestead or Miniature breed of cattle

The HCA general herd book is open to register any breed or composite that needs a pedigree recorded.

Miniature Cattle are small homestead cattle defined by their frame score (height), not by breed. Miniature Cattle can be any breed, and are small frame cattle that range in height up to and including frame score 1. There are fullblood, purebred, composite and crossbred Miniature Cattle breeds.

This spring, the Homestead Cattle Association will offer complete online access. Members will be able to apply and pay for memberships and animal registrations; they can upload pedigrees, DNA test and heritage documentation, and photos. Cattle will be searchable by breed, traits, location or pedigree.

Homestead & Miniature Cattle Directory, a resource for cattle owners

The Homestead & Miniature Cattle Resource Directory

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

A portal site full of free directories, articles, links. Breeds, genetic tests, diseases, dwarfism & chondro, DNA genetics, height classifications, frame score charts, how to measure cattle, sire selection, A.I. bulls, breeding, gestation chart, calving, colostrum, weaning, body score charts, temperament charts, how to age by teeth, printable downloads, graphics for your website, glossary, fun facts. An educational resource for new cattle owners of all breeds.

http://miniature-cattle.com

Heritage Cattle Certification and Breeder Directory for rare breeds

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

Heritage Cattle can be certified as 100% pure by their pedigree; animals with no known outside genetics, complete ancestry that traces all the way back to their original herd book. Heritage cattle exist not only in breeds recognized by the Livestock Conservancy. Heritage cattle exist in many breeds, such as Angus, Ayrshire, Guernsey, Hereford, Jersey, Holstein, etc., and are becoming endangered. Free Heritage Cattle Breeder Directory available to public. ASK ABOUT certification for your rare cattle. http://heritage-cattle.com

for Homestead & Miniature Cattle

Homestead Cattle Association (HCA)

What are Homestead Cattle?