Minicornpatch

Minicornpatch, miniature zebu, Muscatine, Iowa, is a family-run farm in Southeastern Iowa near Davenport. Its herd has grown steadily over several seasons, and it works with a local veterinarian for health screenings, hoof trimming, and nutritional oversight.

Each calf is raised on pasture rotation and benefits from daily handling to build a calm, inquisitive temperament. Dean Schocker brings years of livestock experience to the operation, maintaining simple but effective protocols that emphasize low-stress environments. Visitors often comment on the relaxed setting among rolling fields, where zebu graze beside perennial grasses and shelter under open-sided barns. A highlight of its approach is daily social introductions among calves, sheep, and goats to promote adaptability and a balanced herd dynamic. The barn features open ventilation, shade shelters, and rotational grazing paddocks to support natural behaviors and physical well-being. Repeat inquiries from local farmers reflect an appreciation for the zebu’s hardiness and steady temperaments in small-scale settings.