Saralee Couchoud wrote:You might not like black cows but they bring 10% more at market. That said, I have red cows because I like the heritage breed Milking Devon. The good points far out way the sale price difference. In 15 years I have not had to pull one calf. My neighbor raises Angus and pulls about 1/2 his calves. Mine also live and produce into the late 20s not 10 years like modern cows
Gray Henon wrote:Will Dexters marble up if grain finished? We raised a grassfed steer several years ago. It was good, but the meat didn't have the slightest bit of intramuscular fat. I'd like some marbling on the next one.
Chasing that dream and enjoying every minute of it!
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Ron Metz wrote:I haven’t been on here in a while because I am still not getting notifications of posts to this thread. I have read through some of the new to me posts. First comment I have is purebred Dexters do not come in silver. The accepted colors are red, black and dun. Dun is a brown color. “White Dexters” are not purebred Irish Dexters. They are a different breed resulting from crossing Irish Dexters with British white cattle. They have their own registry and are not eligible for registration in PDCA, ADCA or the Legacy Dexter registry.
There were questions about Dexters and climate. The PDCA has a new slogan, “any size acreage, any sustainable climate, Irish Dexters will work for you”. This breed is truly adaptable to any climate that can sustain life. Other questions involved milk production, calf sharing etc. Dexter cow milk production depends on the individual cow, how she is fed, how many times a day she is milked, her bloodlines etc. One can expect at least a half gallon a day from low producers up to as much as two to three gallons a day. Butterfat content can approach 5%.
Many readers of this thread have numerous questions. It is exciting to see a growing interest in this amazing small breed. Our breed association, Purebred Dexter Cattle Association PDCA has several sources for information on the Irish Dexter breed. I’ll list them here:
dexterstoday.com
Is the PDCA website and offers all kinds of info on the breed.
dextermarketplace.com
Is the place to buy/sell Dexter cattle and locate breeders.
Dexters Today E-magazine
Is our PDCA electronic magazine and can be found on our website. You can subscribe and get on our email list. Comes out bimonthly.
PDCA has a mentor program for those needing help in several different areas including milking. Mentor program info can be found on our website.
Dexters today community is our FaceBook discussiongroup. Ask any questions for open discussion.
More PDCA sources for info and help are being developed and will be available in the near future.
For those interested in becoming a breeder and developing an Irish Dexter herd, the PDCA has launched a breed improvement program called DexStar. DexStar uses genomic testing and phenotype evaluation to help breeders improve their cattle and ultimately the breed.
Chasing that dream and enjoying every minute of it!
(Usually)
Christine Cooling wrote:Hi Ron. Love your posts but haven't found anything yet about raising Dexters as newbie homesteaders. It's just my hubby and I, retired, kids all grown & feel a large cow produces too much milk for our present needs. We've heard lots about Dexters, milk production, easy to handle and a smaller milk yield. Are they pretty forgiving for newbie homesteaders to raise? I've had loads of experience with horses for close to 40 yrs but absolutely none when it comes to cows. We recently relocated to New Brunswick Canada and have read that they're a pretty hardy breed, being able to tolerate an East Coast winter. We have a small barn with 22 acres of mixed forest growth & pasture. We'd hate to be the one's that call the vet every time our cow has a runny nose, so to speak. Should we start out with Dexters or maybe something even smaller like a Scotish Highlander? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Chasing that dream and enjoying every minute of it!
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Budding permie fanatic.
Lexie Smith wrote:In the southeast (before the weather went crazy) the pasture requirement was an acre per cow for a standard beef animal. Now that we have too much rain in the spring and first half of summer and then none at all for the last half and fall, it’s not so easy. I have always thought a belfair cow (which is a cross between a jersey and a dexter) would be about perfect if milking is the goal. A jersey can make 6 gallons of milk a day but the dietary requirements are pretty astronomical. A dexter would thrive where a jersey would starve, from what I understand.
Chasing that dream and enjoying every minute of it!
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Ashley Redding wrote:I always thought the Scottish Highland Cattle was the best, especially for homesteading. The fur is great, i'm sure you can use it to make into yarn, (or find some type of use for it), the milk and the meat. Not to mention, they have great personalities, & they even come in miniature for smaller farms. I don't think they can be beat, personally. Forgot to mention, they do well in bad weather & you don't have to do anything special, they are very hardy, just make sure their coats are in good shape.
Chasing that dream and enjoying every minute of it!
(Usually)
I know they are a favorite with homesteaders. Probably because of their open personality. & Besides, who wouldn't want a bull with that temperament? Lol.Marty Mitchell wrote:
Ashley Redding wrote:I always thought the Scottish Highland Cattle was the best, especially for homesteading. The fur is great, i'm sure you can use it to make into yarn, (or find some type of use for it), the milk and the meat. Not to mention, they have great personalities, & they even come in miniature for smaller farms. I don't think they can be beat, personally. Forgot to mention, they do well in bad weather & you don't have to do anything special, they are very hardy, just make sure their coats are in good shape.
One of my buddies had a herd of them a few years back. I still see him posting up artful pictures of the breed he finds online. He Loved them for his climate up in the NE. I have a feeling he will be getting some more once he finds some acreage here for them.
I will say this... their calves are fluffy little furballs that are not-shy and curious. There is a "Animal Safari" in the mountains here in Virginia. They had several animals of this breed. A large bull that stuck his head into my truck and belched... and several small calves that came right up and ate from our hands. My wife started squealing and stomping her feet with excitement. lol
Budding permie fanatic.
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