Not Yet Finished!!

This information is based upon our own research and our own opinions.  It took us years to learn and figure this stuff out, so we'll do our best to keep it simple. 

If you are just getting into mini zebu, it is imperative that you read and understand the difference between the 2 registration groups.  You need to make sure that the cattle you buy are truly pure, and not just "pure on paper".  Also, make sure that you understand and believe in the mission and purpose of the organization that you send your money to.

There are currently 2 organizations that are dedicated to registering and promoting the Miniature Zebu breed of cattle: the International Miniature Zebu Association (IMZA) and the American Miniature Zebu Association (AMZA).  There are major differences between these 2 organizations that you should be aware of.

IMZA (The International Miniature Zebu Association)                       

Founded:    1991

Status:    Non-Profit Corporation, An organization owned and run by its members.  Board members are elected annually by the general membership and all members are encouraged to serve and participate to improve the organization and further its cause.

Registry Status:    Closed - (This designation means that no more animals will be evaluated and excepted as new foundation stock after 1996, basically no more "open enrollment".  Animals can only be added to the registry that meet the qualifications for one of the listed registration types.)

Mission as stated by the IMZA:    To publish a breeding registry and to stimulate and regulate any and all other matters such as may pertain to the history, breeding, exhibition, publicity, sale or improvements of this breed.

Additional Information: www.imza.name

Contact Information: IMZA, PO Box 66, Crawford, NE 69339

Phone: 308-665-3919, Fax: 308-665-1931

E-Mail: rarebreed@bbc.net

General Information:    The IMZA was the original registering body for the Miniature Zebu breed.  Upon its inception, the organization gathered information and history on all miniature zebu presented for registration that met the breed standard set forth by the organization.  After 5 years of allowing new animals to be entered into the registry as original foundation stock, the registry was closed to the entrance of any new animals in 1996.  Only animals that were pure or partial descendants of the original foundation stock could be entered into the registry after the registry was closed.

In 2006, after much request from miniature zebu owners, the IMZA introduced a new registration type that allowed animals that were not able to be registered in the past to now be registered under a new classification.  This allowed animals 1) whose owners bought miniature zebu without papers, 2) whose owners had failed to keep up with an animals registration paperwork, or 3) whose owners were not completely sure of the parentage of their animal, to bring their animals back into the breed registry under a special classification, Appearance Pure.

Registrations Types:    Foundation Pure, Native Pure, Percentage Pure, Appearance Pure

Foundation Pure           

Animals either : 1) entered into the registry during the original open registration from 1991 - 1996 that met all breed standards to become original foundation stock, 

2) direct descendants of original foundation stock, whose parents are registered and whose histories are fully documented, or

3) animals with at least one foundation pure parent who meet the qualifications through the up-breeding program to achieve foundation pure status           

Official Prefix - T (under 3 years of age), Z (3 years of age or older)

Native Pure                   

Animals that have a foundation pure father and a mother that is a percentage pure.  (See official IMZA rules for more details, too complicated for this forum.) 

Basically, to achieve Native Pure status, percentage animals must be bred back to foundation pure animals until their offspring are "almost" pure, at which point the offspring will eventually be labeled Native Pure.           

Official Prefix - P

Percentage Pure

Animals whose owner can document one parent as foundation pure, but cannot document the purity of the other parent.  The offspring of these animals may be eligible to be registered as Native Pure.  Percentage animals can not be registered.

Appearance Pure

(Maureen: Can a native pure ever be bred up to foundation pure status??  Can you provide an official definition of "percentage pure" and "appearance pure", as well as an explanation of what qualifications an animal must meet to achieve either status?  Can an appearance pure or percentage pure animal ever move up, or what is required for its offspring to move up?)

International Miniature Zebu Association

American Miniature Zebu Association