The Breed And Goals:
The Belmont^TM(Irish Jersey) Miniature Cattle breed is a breed under development for several specific niche markets. It is basically a cross between smaller Dexter cattle and smaller Jersey cattle. You can breed up to 75% of either breed. Foundation Dexter bulls must be docile and cannot be over 38" at the hip at three years of age. The Dexter bull must be of the beefy type, large hindquarter, long and low to the ground. All foundation bulls must have gone through the scrutiny of an approval process and be registered in the Miniature Cattle Breeds Registry. Dams can be grade or registered Jerseys with high milk production capacity. The choice of Jersey female is based on production and height, the shorter the better.

What we're after here is a short beefy mini milker with good milk production. A dual purpose animal that can be a pet, a mini milker and a beef producer. By blending the smaller Dexter and smaller Jersey cattle you get what a lot of people want, a smaller beefy milker and the resulting heterosis (high performance) from crossing the two breeds.

Developing The Herd:
You're not limited to the present foundation bulls. If you have another bull in mind you can submit him for consideration. Height, conformation and breeding history are all considered. Bulls are approved for in herd use only or in herd/out of herd use (see chart).  Linebreeding off a particular bull selection can be an excellent way to develop your herd.

Another way to develop the herd is the two breed triple cross method. Essentially you breed an approved Dexter bull to smaller Jersey females which results in F1-D's. You also breed a miniature Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle bull to Dexter females which produces F1-J's. The Dexter females must be 42" and under at three years and the Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle bull must also be 42" and under at three years. The results are F1-D bulls and heifers and F1-J bulls and heifers. You then make an F1-D bull selection and breed to your F1-J heifers and an F1-J bull selection to your F1-D heifers. The selection criteria is based on height, conformation and temperament at 15 months of age. The results of these breedings is the F-2 Belmont which has the genetics from both bulls. This is the true start of the new breed. It is the third cross in the two breed triple cross. You then make your selections and linebreed to increase your herd. There is both Dexter and Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle foundation bull semen available.

Another acceptable method is to breed the F1's to an unrelated bull of the same breed. This results in 75%/25% animals either Dexter or Jersey. You can go either way depending on whether you want a little more beef or a little more milk. Up to 75% of either breed is allowed in the breeding program.

MCBR Registered Foundation Bulls:
At the present time there are two approved foundation bulls registered in the MCBR, a Dexter bull, Danny Boy MCBR #2059 and a Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle bull, Bob MCBR #2308. Two other Dexter bulls are in the approval process, Max MCBR #2275 and Fireball MCBR #2274. Danny Boy is 38" at the hip at four years of age. Both Danny Boy and Bob are approved for both in herd and out of herd use. Semen from both bulls is available. Call the MCBR (253) 631-1911 to inquire about Dexter semen or Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle semen. Also if you have a bull to be considered for the approval process give the registry a call. Because of the additional time and effort involved in the approval process there is a charge of $100.00 per bull submitted.

BREED STANDARDS
FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MINIATURE CATTLE BREEDS REGISTRY
AS OF 1-1-01
TIM O'DONNELL - BREED REGISTRY CO-CHAIRPERSON
RICHARD GRADWOHL - BREED REGISTRY CO-CHAIRPERSON

1. 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 are at the hip (see diagram).
2. Registration Certificates are temporary until maturity (three years of age) at which time height measurement is required for permanent registry.
3. Animals may be any color or pattern. A picture of each animal being registered must accompany each registration application.
4. Animals should exhibit sharpness with strength indicating productive efficiency. Udder should show traits that contribute to high milk yield and a long productive life.
5. Animals must be from approved MCBR registered Dexter foundation bulls 38"and under at three years of age bred to high production or registered Jersey cows, or heifers, or from approved miniature MCBR registered Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle bulls 42" and under at three years of age bred to MCBR registered Dexter cows or heifers 42" and under at three years of age. All breedings must be MCBR approved. An animal must not be the result of inbreeding (inbreeding is defined as more than 50% influence of an ancestor). All sires used in the Belmont^TM(Irish Jersey) Miniature Cattle program must be registered in the International Miniature Cattle Breeds Registry.
6. Animals must not have more than 75% of either foundation breeds (Dexter/Jersey) in their pedigree.
7. Animals must have originated from approved Miniature Irish Dexter foundation bulls or approved Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle foundation bulls. All Dexter bulls must have gone through the MCBR approval process and/or be DNA tested for the chondrodysplasia gene. Bulls are approved for in herd use only or for in herd and out of herd use. At this point the out of herd approved bulls are:
   
   Miniature Irish Dexter Bulls
   Danny Boy MCBR#2059
   
   Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle Bulls
   Bob MCBR#2308
   
   
8. All animals must have followed the breeding program for the Belmont^TM(Irish Jersey) Miniature Cattle. Refer to breed registry chairpersons to acquire a copy of the breeding program.
9. Belmont^TM(Irish Jersey) Miniature 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 lower jaw with jaws meeting properly. Eyes should be bright and prominent.

Neck - The neck will set into the shoulders not too thick or too short.

Horns - Most 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 will ample substance. A straight under line with the udder firmly attached in front, and the rear with a strong center support. 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 exceed 700 pounds live weight. Bulls at three years of age and over should not exceed 800 pounds live weight.

Height - per registry requirements.

Belmont^TM(Irish Jersey) Miniature Cattle Breed Foundation Bulls

This is a list of approved foundation bulls as of 1-1-01 and bulls that are going through the approval process.

APPROVED BULLS:

Dexter Bulls:

Bull      MCBR#   Age   Height   Temperament    Semen Available
Danny     2059   62mo    38"   very docile   yes
Proven Breeder-yes    Polled____Horned_X_In Herd_X_Out of Herd_X_
Evidence of Bulldog-none found or ocurred
CONTACT: MCBR (253) 631-1911

Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle Bulls:

Bull     MCBR#   Age   Height   Temperament   Semen Available
Bob     2308   36mo   40"   docile   yes
Proven Breeder-yes   Polled_X_Horned____In Herd_X_Out of Herd_X_
Evidence of Bulldog-n/a
CONTACT: Tim O'Donnell (618)483-5081

BULLS CURRENTLY IN THE APPROVAL PROCESS:

Dexter Bulls:

Bull     MCBR#   Age   Height   Temperament   Semen Available
Max     2275   12mo   32"   very docile   June 2000
Proven Breeder-n/a   Polled_X_Horned____In Herd_X_Out of Herd_X_
Evidence of Bulldog-none
CONTACT: MCBR (253) 631-1911

Bull     MCBR#   Age   Height   Temperament   Semen Available
Fireball(Ex)  2274   14mo   32"   very docile   June 2000
Proven Breeder-n/a   Polled_X_Horned____In Herd_X_Out of Herd_X_
Evidence of Bulldog-none
CONTACT: MCBR (253) 631-1911

Lessor Jersey^TM(Jersey) Miniature Cattle Bulls:

None at this time