| RAA's Dexter Cattle Our Farm is also home to a small group of Dexter Cattle, a delightful little breed of cattle known for its friendliness, hardiness, disease resistance and its very good meat and milking quality. The Dexter is a small breed of dual-purpose cattle originating in south and southwest Ireland. They are thrifty and hardy, raised in mountainous regions. Originally kept by small landholders, they were known as the "poorman's cow". Owners today can have confidence in the breed's history of quality and performance. The Royal Dublin Society records go back to 1879; their first herd book was printed in 1890. Today, the Dexter is known for its hardiness, docility, thriftiness and calving ease. They are used as beef cattle, dairy cattle, and as oxen. Their meat is well marbled and tender, and an average Dexter cow can produce two or more gallons of milk per day. Dexters do well in all climates and pasture types. Given proper feed and shelter they can survive just about anywhere. The size of the Dexter makes them ideally suited to the small property owner as well as the farmer who understands that small-framed cattle can be more efficient than larger-framed cattle. The Dexter's calm, gentle nature and natural curiosity have given them the honor of being labelled the idea family cows. The combination of less feed required, high meat and milk quality, and their docility, makes them a perfect addition for first time owners and small land owners. Women often enjoy the Dexter breed due to their smaller stature; they are less intimidating than traditional beef breeds. Dexter bulls make excellent crosses on traditional beef breeds since they reduce the stress on first calving heifers. Calving problems are virtually eliminated and the crossed calf is vigorous when born due to no calving problems. The cross-bred calf usually grows to 7/8 the size of the dam. Traits of Dexter Cattle Dexters are popular with acreage owners; their size makes them easier to handle compared to many other breeds, and their docility allows for easy training to new situations. Dexters prosper on less feed than larger breeds and their cuts of meat are in line with public demand for smaller servings and fewer leftovers. Although temperament varies from animal to animal, Dexters generally are mild mannered and a joy to your property. Dexters require about one half the feed and space of larger breeds making them perfect for the small landholder. Great converters of roughage into meat and milk, they thrive under a variety of climatic and feed situations. Dexter calves are usually born easily, and quickly get to their feet with little or no human assistance. They grow rapidly on their mother's rich milk and soon are eating grass and grain with the adults. Dexters are a long-lived breed and are fertile at a very early age; care must be taken that very young heifers are not accidentally exposed to the bull. Size Cows: 38 to 42 inches, weight approx. 750 lbs. Bulls: 38 to 44 inches, weight approx. 1000 lbs. Colour: Black, Dun, Red Milk Dexter cows produce rich, easily digested, small-fat-globule milk recommended for infants or people with digestive problems. An exceptional cow can produce five gallons (23 L) per day of 4% butterfat milk, average cows yield 2-3 gallons per day (9 to 13 litres). Meat Beef from Dexters is of excellent quality with a high dress-out percentage, providing greater yield of lean, tender, tasty meat. Here are some pictures of our Dexters(click to enlarge): |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| from left to right: heifer calf born in Feb, Lil'Red, Abigail and Daphido |
Daphido and her '08 Daughter
*Dun*
*Dun*
our '08 Babies, Dun and Stew
| What'cha doin' down there????? Lil' Red could not contain her curiosity and had to see what I am doing kneeling in the dirt....... gotta love these cows! |