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By Brenda Brinkley
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Bigger is not always better. At least that’s Danis Nickell’s herd of the way Danis Nickell Miniature Zebu cattle feels about her Minon her Webster County, iature Zebu cattle. Mo., farm has grown to She has been raising them about 50 head. since 2000 on her 65-acre farm near Marshfield, Mo., in Webster County. “I went to an exotic animal auction in 2000 and saw a pair of these that I thought were miniature Brahmans. Turns out they were this Miniature Zebu breed and I fell in love with them and bought my first pair,” Danis explained. Her herd has grown to around 50 head. While Zebus can be used for meat and milk production, Danis does neither. She breeds registered animals. “I sell a lot of bottle babies to petting zoos, 4-H kids, FFA kids and people with small acreages. So that’s my niche’ in it,” she stated. “Miniature” Zebu must be 42 inches or less in height. “On average my herd is between 34 and 36 inches for most of them. Some are smaller and some are on the 40-inch range,” Danis said, adding that bloodlines determine height. put you on the wall,” Danis said. “The She estimated the weight Zebu incorporates full-size Brahmas. It of a full-grown cow to be beincorporates Zebus and several in between 400 to 450 pounds, and tween. But Zebu are their own breed. bulls to weigh around 650 pounds. They are one of the oldest breeds of Zebus originated in India and cows in the world.” have a docile temperament. Most people in this area don’t “But if you get them cornered some Marshfield, Mo. know what a Zebu is. show their Brahman instinct and will
Danis Nickell finds a specialized market for miniture cattle Photos by Brenda Brinkley
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
