Miniature Belmont Cattle

Belmont - Irish Jersey Cattle Profile Color - Animals will usually be from shades of dark brown, or bridle to black.  Some white spots on the under belly and tail switch are common and acceptable. Head - Animals will have a broad forehead tapering gracefully toward the muzzle; strong jaw with jaws meeting properly.  Eyes should be bright and prominent. Neck - The neck well set into the shoulders not too thick or too short. Horns - Belmont cattle will have horns unless bred to a polled animal. Body - The body should be well proportioned regarding height to length.  The typical cow will be refined, feminine in appearance with ample substance.  A straight under line with the udder firmly attached in front, and the rear with a strong center suppport.  Udder and teats should be of moderate size with teats of equal size, squarely placed on the udder with a clearly defined halving.  Animals should exhibit sharpness with strength indicating productive efficiency.  The udder should show traits that contribute to adequate yield and long productive life.  The typical bull will show a masculine muscular appearance with ample substance.  Disposition should be very docile and quiet. Legs - The legs will be short to moderate, but not excessively long and well placed under the body; forelegs straight and squarely placed; hind legs nearly perpendicular from hock to pastern when viewed from the side and straight when viewed from the rear.  Feet short well rounded with deep heel, level sole, and toes properly placed. Weight - Cows at three years of age and over should not exced 700 pounds live weight.  Bulls at three years of age and over should not exceed 900 pounds live weight. Height - Animals must be 42" or under at maturity (three years) to be classified as miniature, or over 42" up to 48" at maturity to be classified as Mid Size.  All measurements at the hip.

For the past 12 years all cattle have been bred to a purebred Mini Jersey bull. I prefer the purebred Miniature Jersey over the Belmont. At this time I don't raise  Belmont/Irish Jersey cattle. This was a trial and error type project. I leave this info on the web site for anyone who might be interested in this  breed. Tim O'Donnell June 22, 2009   In the summer of 1993, I, Tim O'Donnell of Altamont, IL, bred a 40" Miniature Irish Dexter bull (CP's Mr. Brown) to six pure bred Jersey cows.  I chose this cross because I was trying to bring the size of the standard Jersey cow back down to the size they were back in the 1950's.  With this first cross four heifers and two bulls were produced.  The heifers were a more dairy type animal and the bulls seemed to be more of a beef type animal.           In 1994, I bred five more pure bred Jersey cows to a 40" Irish Dexter bull, (Hilltop Hogan).  From this cross there were three bulls and two heifers produced.  From these two crosses, I culled out the longer legged offspring  and two bulls and four heifers were kept, thus starting the breed now known as "Belmont-Irish Jersey" cattle.  I only kept the cattle which were under 42" in height and weighed approx. 600 pounds.              For the past 12 years, I  have been crossing  Irish Jerseys with Lessor Jerseys achieving the goal of all animals being under 42" tall at maturity of  3 years of age.  They give approx. 20-30 pounds of rich milk per day.  The cows have a very strong motherly instinct and will usually accept a second calf.  Since crossing Lessor Jerseys with Irish Jerseys, both cows and bulls are quite docile with even temperaments with no signs of aggression in the bulls.         "A reminder" - Since the "Belmont" Irish Jersey breed consists of  Jersey and  Dexter there is a  chance of the Achrondoplasia (bulldog gene) appearing in offspring!!

"Irish Jersey"

**  All Belmont cattle are eligible to be registered with the International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society,  25204 156th Ave S.E. Covington, WA 98042.  Phone (252)  631 - 1991,   www.minicattle.com or email  - info@minicattle.com.    I am the breed registry co-chairperson for the Lessor Jerseys and co-chairperson of  the Irish Jersey Belmont cattle.

This web site was last updated on: June 23, 2009

By crossing the Dexter with the Jersey, improvements to the Dexter udder were acheived.  Now, breeding the Lessor Jersey to both Belmont and Dexter cattle, the size has remained under 42" at maturity.  There has also been an improvement on disposition and temperment

Thanks for visiting - "My World". "Come visit me again real soon"

Questions? More info call 618 483 5081