FANCHER LOVE RANCH
Our Philosophy and Our Breeding Objectives
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When you think about miniature cattle, you might think smaller means better. Smaller isn't better if the animal isn't proportional. Ideally, if you look at a photo of a mini zebu without any clues as to scale, you shouldn't be able to tell what size it is.
Our Breeding Objectives:
excellent conformation and correct structure
pleasant temperament, not aggressive nor timid
calm demeanor, not excitable
medium size--36"-38" behind the hump
feminine but athletic females, not a fragile appearance
muscular bulls, but still graceful and stylish
easy-calving females with strong mothering behavior
Why Should You Buy From Fancher Love Ranch?
There are cheaper animals around, and also more expensive. My prices are moderate, especially considering their wonderful dispositions. All my animals are registered Foundation Pure with the American Miniature Zebu Association, and some are double-registered with the International Miniature Zebu Association. IMZA didn't offer any opportunities for involvement, promotion, exhibition or education; so when AMZA was formed in 2004 I happily switched over.
My cattle have excellent breed character and conformation. My show herd is young--the oldest is five years old--and has started winning championships; my older moms tend to be wilder and just stay home. Most of my moms do not have a show record, but all their calves do. My two bulls are very non-aggressive and well-mannered and go to all the shows. My three steers are true "ambassadors of the breed;" they love visitors. Among 13 females, 5 are totally tame, 4 will eat from my hand, and 4 are pretty wild, but will pen up easily. So most of my zebus are total "dogs with horns."
My herd is the tamest and calmest of any around this area. I always encourage people to look around and visit as many breeders as they can; and when they get here they tell me mine are the friendliest! I have multiple generations in my herd and can tell you everything about them and show you pix of all siblings. My herd is very stable--my moms stay with me forever--this promotes a comfortable and predictable attitude in the calves. You won't find that with breeders that are constantly buying and selling cattle, moving them in and out and upsetting the herd balance.
My herd is not closed or inbred, however; I've had five herd sires since I began in 2001. I have two herd sires now: FLR Mini Takka, a Permanent Grand Champion Red Paint and SCR Pee-Wee's Lil Prince, a Gray bull from Rose Mary and Steve Meding's Shell Creek Ranch in Florida. Lil Prince has started winning some Reserve Grands in his first year of showing. All my calves are DNA Certified Parentage Verified; as a buyer you should expect any breeder with multiple sires to provide this type of verification.
Along with the quality and gentle temperaments of my herd, I also give support, advice, and info to my buyers, and stay in touch long after the sale. Bigger breeders are very busy people--they just can't give you personal attention. When you get a bargain, sometimes you luck into a good animal; but usually you get what you pay for. And a bigger breeder must move their "inventory." I'm very lucky in that I have a college teaching career that supports my hobby, so I'm not forced to sell too quickly or use unethical practices to make a sale.
(under construction)