Photo via Dawson Gap Farm, Loudoun County, VA.
Loudoun County is home to nearly 1,400 farms and thousands of businesses supported by or serving the agricultural community. In order to think big about the future, business owners may want to aim smaller. Miniature, to be exact.
Miniature livestock present an appealing alternative to major livestock production in Loudoun County for several important reasons. But first: a little more about the trend of miniaturization.
Miniature breeds of livestock are just that—smaller versions of the full-sized breeds of horses, cattle, pigs, goats and sheep. If a full-sized breed is raised for meat or dairy, the miniature version will do the same on a proportional scale.
Different breeds have been shown to be more or less resistant to mutated genetics, so do your homework before buying! In general, quality genetic lines will sell for more money. Here’s an idea of how much it will cost you to buy one of each type of animal:
- Miniature horse: $5,000 or more
- Miniature goat: $500-$1,000
- Miniature pig: $500-$1,500
- “Micro pigs” (not recommended; they’re generally poorly bred and have poor genetics): $2,000
- Miniature donkey or pony: $1,000-$2,000
- Miniature cow: $1,000-$3,000
- Miniature sheep: $1,000-$2,000
Miniature beef cows are used largely in value-added operations for consumers who would like a smaller amount of beef. Beef is typically sold by whole or half carcass, and a miniature animal provides a smaller portion with the same great quality as a normal-sized cow.
Miniature livestock is smaller in every way, meaning that their bones are more fragile. They also can’t defend themselves as easily from predators, which means that greater security measures are needed to protect them.
On the plus side, they require less room for grazing as traditional livestock, which can be a major bonus. The average size of a farm in Loudoun County is less than 100 acres, which means that space constraints can be very real. Small animals require less food in smaller spaces to survive.
While there are currently no large-scale miniature livestock operations in Loudoun County, the option makes sense. Mini animals can be sold for business and pleasure, which gives farmers an additional revenue stream that straddles the line between agricultural-based production and entertainment.
In the right situation, miniature animals can also be raised as pets, provided that they have enough outdoor space to stay healthy.
As with any farming operation, high-quality breeding of miniature animals is the key to a successful business and animal.
If you have questions about bringing an agriculture-related business to Loudoun County, call 1-800-LOUDOUN.
