CountryByNet.com Forums :: raising cattle

I'm still in the research stage. What I've found so far is they're 2-3 times the cost of the average Angus or Hereford calf. My interest is raising them for sale and meat. Keeping the cows and one bull, culling the young bulls and converting them to steers for the beef.

I've raised both Angus and Herefords for beef. Taken to market at 1300 - 1500 Lbs and giving back a yield of 600 lbs of meat and less makes the Dexters an attractive breed for that purpose. The high end weight of a Dexter bull is 1,000 Lbs and the yield I'm told is 60%. Do the math, it's astounding

you can support 1 Dexter per half acre versus 1 Angus or Hereford per 1-1/2 - 2 acres for the same yield. For the long term, based on that info alone, makes the Dexter a sound investment. Factor in their gentle nature and stable health record and you've got a people friendly animal that can be profitable to boot.

I've copied a short history on Dexters from various web sites I visited to give you some insight on this cattle.

By the way, I live in Wolverine which is about 20 miles north of Gaylord and 40 miles south of the bridge.

"Dexter Cattle were originally from Ireland, and rescued from extinction in the 1970's to become a very popular animal with small acreage farmers around the world.

The Dexters are true miniatures, measuring between 38 to 40 inches high.

They are a dual purpose animal, producing both milk and meat, and are an ideal cow for the small farm as you can keep more Dexters per acre.

Their docile temperament is great for farmers inexperienced in handling large cattle.

Dexters' average milk production is just on 7 liters a day and grow to around 320 - 400 kilograms producing high quality beef ideal for the family freezer. "

American Dexter Cattle

"The importation of Dexter cattle to America is thought to have occurred long ago, but the first recorded importations arrived between 1905 and 1915 and numbered over two hundred head. A complete history of early herds, their owners and the transfer of cattle between owners is well documented in the ADCA Herd Book. Although the Dexter was an ideal homestead cow, providing meat, milk and power and found a good deal of popularity in that arena, as milk and meat production became specialized, the Dexter numbers decreased. At one time there were thought to be less than 5,000 in the world, but today, with renewed interest in small holdings, the numbers have risen to approximately 12,000 head worldwide. There are some 4,000-5,000 in North America at this time. The ADCA has nearly 400 members and registered 613 cattle in 1997.
The American Dexter possesses many desirable characteristics. It is still a very hardy animal, thriving in both hot and cold climates with little difficulty. It is tractable and easily trained, either as a pasture animal (kind on fencing) or a show animal (great with children and young adults). It is a thrifty animal and capable of thriving on a half acre per head of good pasture, given the typical Dexter's small size. Registered cows measure between 36 and 42 inches in shoulder height at three years of age, and weigh approximately 750 pounds. Bulls are slightly larger at 38 to 44 inches shoulder height, and weigh in around 1000 pounds.

Whether short or long legged (Kerry) types, both varieties are strong and, for their size, high volume, milk producers. They also produce an excellent lean beef when raised for meat. To be sure, there is less of it, and smaller cuts of meat, but the quality and coloring are usually exceptional.

Finally, because they are still a minor breed, but one in increasing demand for "suburban" and small farmers, they have held their resale value exceptionally well, and most supply and demand projections indicate that this is likely to be the case for some time to come. "

Argee

Post Extras: