March 2025

When can my cows start grazing?

The question that starts rolling around in all our brains the moment the weather turns and we see the fresh green forage poking through the soil is, when can I start grazing my cattle? This is an important question and one that requires some observation. Turning the cows out too soon could have significant impact on the length and quality of forage growth during the entire grazing season. The hay is usually dwindling at this point and everyone is eager to start grazing. But, please pause and read this short article for advice and have a great grazing season!

https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/articles/when-can-i-start-grazing/#:~:text=So%2C%20when%20can%20you%20start,20%20days%20of%20forage%20available.

When can my cows start grazing? Read More »

Farm Management

Farmer-led research

When you are considering trying something new it is always helpful to have the wisdom of others who have tried and failed or succeeded. We’ve done a little winter bale grazing with our Dexter herd, and the effects on the pasture are dramatic and obvious (a swath of lush green and clover through a mostly browning pasture). Here is a great farmer led study on the benefits of bale grazing that I have found compelling. Have you or would you try bale grazing?

https://practicalfarmers.org/research/bale-grazing-effects-on-soil-and-pasture-plant-communities/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR12RUqGZHHVrzgIknlKpftHaJXMNRuzAbjeQdmtnQ7LYIbs4_DRrmEA8dY_aem_nwVxF1iDSxHNk7PRtA41fA

Farmer-led research Read More »

Farm Management

Welcome to Spring:

By Shelley Hatfield/Whippoorwill Pines Farm

Spring is a beautiful time of the year!!  All the new babies, flowers popping their heads up showing off their colors, everyone itching to get their hands in the dirt!! But that also brings some problems if you have cows.  Here are a few things that I have found that make spring not so great.

First thing, with the crazy swings in the weather temps, you need to watch your cows for pneumonia.  This is a hard thing to notice but if  you keep watch you can start learning the signs.  One of the signs is lower head, their sides are “thumping” (meaning catching their breath), not alot of energy.  I had a steer go down and die the next day.  He had eaten the night before and looked fine.  But he was gone the next morning.  I asked the vet if I was doing something wrong.  She told me that it really doesn’t matter, it’s the big swings in the weather.  They have shelter, water and food. 

Keeping watch is one thing, but there is also a vaccine that you can give them once or twice a year to help with that.  It is a BRD vaccine.  Check with your vet to see if that is something that you want to give your cattle.  

We have talked about the mud before, but we will mention it again.  Make sure that your cattle don’t have to stand in the mud all the time.  That is something that can keep them from staying warm in the spring weather.  Make sure that they have a dry place to lay down.  

I’m not an expert, but I have learned some things along the way.  Some of those things I have learned the hard way….lol  These are just some things that I have learned on this journey of raising cattle. 

Welcome to Spring: Read More »

Beef

Small-scale beef production

Below is a great article for those getting in to beef production on a small scale. Thinking through resources, knowledge, budget, production, marketing, as well as talent and interest level. There is a great quote from the last point: “You are much more likely to be successful if you are interested in and passionate about what you are doing.”

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/top-ten-considerations-small-scale-beef-production

Small-scale beef production Read More »

Beef

Beef Trends in 2025

With the US National beef inventory down, and demand for beef remaining steady/increasing slightly, I think we can expect to see continued increase in beef prices through 2025. That is good news for those of us raising beef and selling direct to consumers.

In our own personal Dexter beef sales we have seen a shift from smaller purchases in years 2020-2023, to half and whole beef purchases over the past year and a half.

It is certainly more economical for beef buyers to purchase in bulk and save money. It can be better for farmers/ranchers too, cutting down on time required to inventory and manage smaller orders.

However you sell your beef, here are trends to look for:

https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/foodservice/menu-concepts-diner-insights/market-trends-in-beef-preparing-for-2025#:~:text=In%20short%2C%20reduced%20beef%20production,Various%20report%20dates.

Beef Trends in 2025 Read More »

Beef

There is a lot more history in the Irish Dexter Cattlemen flipboards, located in the Gazette

If you looking for more information on our wonderful breed, scroll down past the digital magazines to the flipboard section. There are several of the Dexter Registry Magazines that have been converted into easy to view flipboards. So much history at your fingertips in one place, the IDC Gazette.

There is a lot more history in the Irish Dexter Cattlemen flipboards, located in the Gazette Read More »

Historical

Managing Mud

The article below has some simple, cost-effective solutions to managing mud on your farm or ranch. there are also a few more in-depth, long term solutions if you have the time and resources to complete them.

We have used wood chips in high traffic areas of our farm with good results. And, we get free wood chip drops from local arborists, so it is very cheap. The added benefit is that the manure and wood chips make great future compost for the garden.

https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/cattle-connection/2018-12-03-managing-mud-cattle-farms

Managing Mud Read More »

Farm Management

High Tech solution for making yogurt from the New England Cheesemaking Company.

Clever idea to hold your yogurt at a constant temperature using sous vide!

We love to try different t cooking techniques and have used sous vide for many years with our Dexter steaks. Happy to have found another use for the sous vide immersion circulator. Next thing to try, is using it when making cheese. Thank you New England Cheesemaking Company!

High Tech solution for making yogurt from the New England Cheesemaking Company. Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Have you taken advantage of the Dex50 coupon?

Here is a testimonial from someone who paid to get access to the Irish Dexter Cattlemen Gazette!

Yes. This is a big need. I believe there are a lot of people like us out there but the world is so commercialized that breeds like dexters don’t have as much information to learn from. This is gonna be a great tool for us and I’m sure it will help us grow more into what we’re wanting to accomplish on our farm in the future. Carrie Ann Bowers

Have you taken advantage of the Dex50 coupon? Read More »

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