Mels Mini Cattle

Mels Mini Cattle raises Hereford cattle in Milledgeville, IL, northwest Illinois near Rockford. The farm has been breeding for more than a decade and holds membership in the American Hereford Association, with routine health screening for all breeding stock. Animals graze on rotational pastures and are socialized from birth, allowing calves to adjust to handling in early weeks. Breeding goals focus on adaptability to small-acreage settings and ease of management.

Facilities include sheltered loafing areas and year-round access to fresh water, reflecting a hands-on approach to welfare and comfort. The herd blends foundation lines selected for gentle disposition and efficient feed conversion, traits valued by homestead and small-scale operations. Visitors often remark on the calm temperament of the cattle and the farm’s transparent care practices, nurtured through daily interaction. The operation began as a small hobby herd and has grown to serve a network of homesteaders around the region.