Kim Marberry

Scott Leonard wrote:Old time rule of thumb was 1 cow or 4 goats or 8 sheep per acre, never did chickens on pasture, that's nothing but a free buffet for predators. So the cow idea could work, as is anything really, the variable is your labor to make it happen. You'll need to come up with a lousy weather energy source, haylage, grain, whatever when pasturage isn't enough.  What made you focus on dexter? My 2cs if its milk your after go with a jersey, better  and more milk, if she drops a bull calf it's headed for the freezer anyway, if a heifer calf you could sell her, upgrade if you've done your breeding home work, or keep for more milk.  Renovating a pasture with pigs is just an invitation to need tractor harrow, plows to remediate what they've left in their wake.

Dexter's as from my research they are a good well rounded cow. It is just me so I do not need a lot of milk but want some to drink, make cheese and yogurt (just for me) then the calf raise for the freezer. also, from what I have read as they are a smaller cow it fits my smaller acreage. well I am hoping so. hence, the question about having them on 1 - 2 acre pasture. Thank you for your input

Bryan Elliott wrote:It's practically impossible to give a quality answer to that question without knowing where you live.  Climate, rainfall, and soil type have a lot to do with that if you want to keep them on pasture.  If you are going to dry lot them and haul feed in it will work  practically anywhere.  Short answer-maybe!

I am just now buying the property, So right now I am not sure about the pasture yet. i plan on getting the soil tested. I watched a few vids where they use chickens and pigs to rejuvenate a pasture. I think I might try that and then reseed the cleared areas they leave with a bunch of pasture grasses and other forage stuff. I watched a video that had a Dexter cow on an acre with 8 pastures and they move the cow to a new pasture every few days and then after 16 - 20 days She is back on the first pasture. they also said to put chickens in the first pasture after the cow moves to the 3rd pasture. they said a pasture of 30 x 90 would be good for a Dexter if it has good forage grasses. my only thought though is, is 16 - 20 days enough "rest" for the pasture. it feels to me like that is not enough rest time.

The land is located on the west side of the cascade mountains (PNW). so decent rainfall. the surrounding area looks like it has a large cow pastures.

I just found your post and have not read through this whole discussion yet. So please forgive me if I'm asking if it's already be asked. I just got a property that has 2 acres. I don't know the quality of the pasture yet but am under the assumption that I will have to fix it. I want to raise a Dexter for milk and use the calf for beef. Is it possible on such a small pasture if I can boost it quality enough? There is a large pasture behind the property that looks like hay field or some kind of pasture and I see cows out in it. But it is very big.thank you for your time. And now to read all the posts here.

Thank you! I'm not sure the quality of the pasture yet but I am willing to work on it.I'll check out that post you suggested.

I just got a property with ~3 acres 2 are pasture. I want to raise a cow for milk and use the calf for beef just for myself. I think Dexter's would be ok on the small of a pasture, but every one I see that say small farm have a lot more acreage than I do. Is it possible to do what I want on such a small pasture? Any suggestions would be awesome thank you.