They are raising animals for a small but growing niche in the livestock business: little cattle for little ranches. The smallest of the miniature breeds stand less than 3 feet tall, full grown. They're not pets but they are cute, they keep the weeds down, and have sweet dispositions, according to Boriolo. For now, the money in micro-beef is in breeding -- raising adorable cattle and selling them -- for $3,500 and up -- not as meat, but as breeding stock for another herd-to-be. Still, the harsh realities of ranching on any scale cattle dictate that, at some point, some of the Boriolo’s young males will take that last, long ride to Swingles Meat Market.