Jake Robinson

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

I agree but I really don't plan to sell at the barn... If I sell it will most likely be for breeding to another rancher or possibly to a close friend or relative who wants to put meat in the freezer.  I know Greg Judy will sell all his "long-legged" cows when he identifies them... he wants a small frame and he deselects those who don't fit this trait.  So, he says even though Red doesn't bring as much, the long-legged Red brings more than if he brought his best short-legged cow cuz that's what conventional farmers will buy... They like the "biggest, tallest cow" for their herd.

But also, you get more lbs per acre raising short-legged red cows (at least with South Polls)

I got enamored with Red Devons for beef cattle and had a fellow who owned a herd of about 60 - he and a few others likely single-handedly saved that breed from extinction - they formed a breed organization for Red Devons and over a period of years it has come back and is thriving.  The marble up finishing on grass is what I hear.  But very expensive.

Pollyanna Redfield wrote:

Jake T Robinson wrote:

Some questions about Dexters...
Can you select for red or lighter color (don't really want black cows)

Yes my friend has a silver dexter bull.  He is very beautiful.  
They come in a lovely red brown color too.

Jake T Robinson wrote:
Do they slick up (better for fly control)

When they are mineralized and healthy they are slick and shiny.

Thanks for the reply - glad to know both answers!

So I want to raise cattle and had intentions on raising South Polls - this was mentioned early in this thread. Greg Judy bought 22 SPs from Teddy Gentry (Alabama's bass player) who developed a 4-way cross of Red Angus, Barzona, Hereford & Senepol - Teddy can rattle off at least a dozen key attributes for his breed.  I am not married to the breed and am familiar with Dexters.  Can you Dexter experts offer pros/cons when comparing these two breeds?  Not trying to start a breed battle but there may be some advantages of Dexter over SPs - SPs are a small frame breed as well but weigh in a bit more than Dexters.

Some questions about Dexters...
Can you select for red or lighter color (don't really want black cows)
Do they slick up (better for fly control)
Main question - comparing overall costs to purchase - cow/calf pairs, good bulls, steers, etc - I am not a cost expert - would Dexters come in at a lower cost than SPs or the same or even higher?  I have an idea about SPs - purebred or 7/8ths seem to be a bit pricey.  

Any light you can shed will be appreciated!

Cheers

Ron Metz wrote:Gray had a question about feeding grain to a Dexter to increase marbling.

It is a fact grass finishing takes longer than grain finishing. The reason is grain provides an abundance of higher energy feed in a short period of time(60-90 days)which in turn is deposited as “finish”in a maturing steer as fat cover, kidney, pelvic,heart fat as well as intramuscular marbling. The down side....grain is an unnatural diet for cattle and fat from grain finishing is not as healthy for humans as fat from grass finishing. The short answer is yes you can grain feed your Dexters and it will increase the fat content of the beef. There is another component to types of deposited fat in cattle and that is a genetic one. Some cattle breeds and some individuals within cattle breeds “finish” better than others. Overall, Dexters produce excellent beef. If you are grass finishing your Dexters, be sure and let them go longer because it does take longer.

Is it true you can put cattle on pasture after a frost and the forage has more sugar content which helps "marble up" a grass-finished cow?

Zeek McGalla wrote:Hi Ron, I am in Ohio about 45 minutes west of Pittsburgh.  For some reason, this area isn't really demanding Dexters, but we manage to sell our calves each year.  In fact, we have never sold a Dexter to someone who already owned them....well one time in the past 8 years.  Our goal was to raise quality breeding stock and that sent me to Nashville to buy our bull.  

I'm next door in Murfreesboro, TN - so is your contact in Nashville still in the Dexter business?  Would be interested in being able to contact him/her...

Cheers,
Jake

Please advise.

I got a gir bot for acres-dream book... when I click (I'm logged in) It only gives me the option to purchase.

When I click on private kickstarter forum support - it says "oooops. you don't have sufficient privileges to access this forum"

when I go to "My stuff" there are only 2 items - I thought there was a lot of stuff available.  

My transactions show nothing there.

Please help.

Cheers,

Jake

so, when I view my profile it has an email that has been defunct for maybe 10+ years.  The company doesn't even have email service anymore.  I have been thru this before... like the Rocket Mass Heater and maybe one other.  I update my email but then a new Kickstarter comes out and I can't log in.  Keep in mind, I received the email to my correct email - but Permies has a different defunct one on file.  I am reluctant to update my correct email thru "My profile" as it could put me in a no-man's land.  Please advise

Cheers,

Jake Robinson