A Deep Dive Podcast, brought to you by Irish Dexter Cattlemen, on topics of interest to all farmers and ranchers. Subscribe to the free, monthly Irish Dexter Cattlemen Tips & Tricks Guide to get early access.
Grazing Strategies Podcast Read More »
Podcasts
From what I could gather, the cattle loved winter. I didn’t get the impression that they were cold at all. I loved these Dexters.
I left the stable doors open so that they could come and go as they please. At times it seemed that they were playing musical chairs with the stables as one would enter and another would leave.
The cattle seemed peaceful and content. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
Then the rubbing began. My first thought is that they have an itch. Some would say I am very logical. Some would say I am not. But it was more than that. What began as an occasional rub against the stable door(s) morphed into a severe scratch party. It seemed as if all of the cattle were infected. Worse yet, the cattle seemed to be scratching their hides off!
Photos sent to our mentor. What is this? Yes. You have lice. Well, I didn’t, but our cattle did. How can the cattle have lice in winter? Apparently is it common. After telling me what medicine to buy at rural farm store, I was ready to end their misery.
Piece of cake. I am a cattle farmer. I can handle this. I touch and pet each one every day. The medicine was a pour on variety. How hard can it be?
It was easy! Walked right up to each of them, petted them and poured the medicine right on their back. I got this! Per the directions, I will have to give another dosage in a couple of days. I am such a seasoned pro. That will be no problem.
The itching seemed to be less. Seemed to be. It could have been my imagination or me wanting versus being, but it was time to apply again. I walked out into the turnout with a big smile, the medicine bottle and asked each by their name to come over and get their prize.
The reaction was just a bit different this time. They ran. All of them. The first one I approached, Bitsy, started and they all followed. A couple had, dare I say, some kicks and jumps that would have impressed bulls who star in rodeos. The cattle seemed to be having fun at my expense.
Willow, my hugger heifer, would be no problem. I went for it. Slow at first, I walked up to her with the bottle behind my back. She waited. She looked. I brought the bottle around to pull on her back and poured. Wide right and on my jeans. I didn’t have lice, but if I did, it would be gone now.
My wife questioning my supreme athletic ability was snickering in the cheap seats as I valiantly ran, jogged, skipped, and walked up to each cow and got as much product on as I could. An amazing display if I do say so myself.
The moral of the story is that these Dexter cattle learn. To this day, I can walk out to each and pet them without any problems. They might lower their head, but they come around. If I show up with anything else in my hands, besides a bucket, they are cautious. It still makes laugh and yet admire these wonderful animals at the same time.
For those wondering, the medicine worked. Lice gone and hair grown back. Life is good.
A little bit about the author. I own and operate a small farm called “Our Yellowstone LLC” in Illinois. I couldn’t do it alone, but will keep my wife’s name out of it to protect her innocence.
DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK – PART 6 Read More »
Herd Health
Getting your kids involved in the day to day workings of your farm or homestead have so many benefits! I heard the statistic quoted this weekend that less than 2% of the US population is involved in agriculture. What better way to impact that number than to create rewarding experiences between your children and land and livestock.
Involving Kids in Farming Read More »
Farm Management
A quick listen that will give you an overview on current cattle economics, market trends and the farm bill.
Cattle Market Update Read More »
Farm Management
Below is a great article on the benefits and economics of rotational grazing. I know for many the grazing season has already begun, but it’s never too late to switch to a rotational grazing management system. If it works for the season you are in, and can benefit you economically, why not make the switch?
I recently experienced this …and may have once or twice in the last 15 years.
Does your cow heat…but she is pregnant? Read More »
Herd Health
Good news for Dexter owners and dexter beef producers !
https://www.sprucegroveexaminer.com/news/why-canada-beef-prices-wont-likely-drop-soon
Here is a cut that is not so well known.
In the battle of Kansas City steak vs New York strip steak, they are in fact, the same cut. The Kansas City strip bone attached, New York does not. The New York strip typically has the tail section removed, the Kansas City does not. The cut originated in Kansas City and gained popularity when chefs in New York started calling it the New York strip.
Source Matthew Eads
Products like these are easily made from our superior Dexter beef tallow. Give it a whirl! You know we have the best beef…I bet we have the best tallow products too!
We can create lovely products from our Dexter beef tallow Read More »
Beef
Although this is a human study…it is easy to extrapolate to our Dexters and the importance of that first milk. I have heard said that formula is the first junk food. Very interesting
First milk…colostrum Read More »
Milking
While many of us are not fans of the term “mini cow” being used to describe our beloved breed, it does catch many new to the breed’s eyes. As homesteading becomes more popular, so does the Dexter.
Off Grid News….Dexters Read More »
Homesteading
The article below was written by Matt McCollum, a concerned Dexter breeder. The numbers are a collaboration of a few folks from the three registries. While there maybe duplicates and possibly a few triplicates in the numbers w are working on identifying those animals that were dual or triple registered, but it will take some time to get these all identified.
The point is the numbers are in decline. Another important point is there is only ONE facebook site that does not support or welcome accurate discussions about a foundation trait of the Dexter.
Thank you to Matt McCollum for addressing the concerns of the dwindling numbers and for some photos of your dwarf dexters.
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In 2016 a Dexter Facebook group was created to spread awareness and propaganda about the Dexters that carry Chondrodysplasia. The creator of this group was also banned from many other online Dexter Forums prior to the creation of this group. This Facebook group also promotes the elimination or culling of Dexters that carry this genetic mutation to is 45,000+ followers. This group is also a Public Dexter Facebook group, so Google will scrub this site for data on questions searched about Dexters. Newcomers searching for Google answers are now getting inaccurate information that fits an Anti Chondro narrative. The fear based propaganda is filled with misinformation sprinkled with some 1/2 truths.
Chondro+ dexters carry a genetic mutation which makes leg bones shorter. Many people call Chondro+ dexters their short legged cattle. These short legged dexters fit the dexter breed description and were apart of the original breed in the early 1900’s. Prior to genetic testing breeding two Chondro+ Dexters together created a Bull dog calf that would be delivered pre-term, deformed and deceased 25% of the time. Today we easily test for the gene mutation and can breed a Chondro+ cow with a Non Chondro Bull. This recommended breeding results in a 50% chance of a non Chondro calf and 50% chance of Chondro+ calf. One thing to note is that every living creature carries some sort of a gene mutation other than this specific gene mutation that we are discussing. Sometimes a gene mutation doesn’t show up or isn’t noticed in breedings.
Chondrodysplasia in particular was noticed due to the deformed dead calves being born. They are also commonly identified by visual appearance of being short and stockier.
So back to the original question. Are short legged registered ADCA, Legacy and PDCA Dexters in decline over the last 10 years? And does this 2016 Dexter Facebook group have any influence from its efforts in the elimination of Chondro+ dexters? I’ll let you be the judge.
I’m not sure but it’s definitely time to hit the alarm bells before it’s too late. So we know that Chondro+ Bull calves probably won’t get registered and will end up mostly going to beef. And it’s a 50/50 chance of a boy or girl and this will affect the total number of registered Dexters we see today. Also we know that only 50% of the time when proper or advised breeding is done we can get a Chondro+ calf. We also know that testing for Chondro+ isn’t required for ADCA, Legacy or PDCA registration, only required if you want to have it listed on the animals certificate. Some people will register their Dexter cattle and NOT share the Chondro test data results with ADCA, Legacy and PDCA. This could be for a number of different reasons such as privacy of data. All three registries view all forms of dexters to be deemed of equal value when registering including Chondro+ dexters. The only requirement to register is parental verification of the calfs Sire and Dam. Since the advent of testing I believe more breeders are shying away from using a Chondro+ Bull because they want bigger steer beef carcasses and avoid having to deal with testing each individual offspring. Also the ADCA has software that is currently being updated to provide more accurate information on each registered Dexter. Breeders may also be behind on paperwork or just decided against registration due to higher beef prices and quicker sales. We can definitely make many more possible assumptions as to why we are seeing less Chondro+ dexter being registered with the registries. Feel free to add your thoughts or comments.
Below is a 10 year history of Chondro+ ADCA, Legacy and PDCA registered Dexters calves born.
Many of us raise more than one species of livestock on our homesteads. There are many benefits to both the pastures and the livestock worm loads with either running them together or rotationally one after the other.
But there are many differences in them including the udder. Here is a article and graphic explaining the differences in the goat and cow.
https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/educational-tips-for-farmers-dairy-goat-versus-dairy-cow
Udder differences in goat and cow Read More »
Homesteading
More and ore states are approving the sale of raw milk. It is not for everyone, but the push is real.
Raw Milk Gaining Popularity Read More »
Milking
One site …all the links!
Have you ever wondered what that little blue button thingy is on the home page of our website? For me it is gold! One site and the links to EVERYTHING DEXTER.
If you think we are missing something let us know
Here is the key.,,,,
P = PDCA
L = Legacy
A = ADCA
I = Irish Dexter Cattle Society
The others should be easy…they are our social media links
TikTok
YouTube
So, I have the Irish Dexter Cattlemen as a favorite and then when I need register, check out a registration from another association or registry…I just click the the button in the semi circle thingy. Sorry, I don’t have more technical term…it is just the best explanation I have for this powerful tool I use. 😂
irish Dexter Cattlemen website Read More »
General
Learn how Meadow Green Farm runs a profitable beef business, including direct to consumer sales:
Keys to a successful beef business Read More »
Beef
Watch as WR Ranch explains their set up and methods for rotationally grazing their herd of Dexter cattle.
Grazing Dexter Cattle Read More »
Farm Management
This program includes three calculators that allow the user to makes estimates for pasture rotations, setting stock density for mob grazing, and estimating field strip sizes for strip grazing stockpiled forage
Forage Calculators Read More »
Technology
If you are selling livestock, it is your responsibility to ensure that any form of representation (including advertising) made in connection with the sale of your livestock, in order to promote the supply or transfer of ownership, is true.
Buying and selling livestock Read More »
Selling
Online sales, live auctions, on-farm sales, Facebook (if they don’t delete your post), Craig’s list, your own website…how do you get the sale?
The secret is…it doesn’t really matter what platform you use. The secret is to educate your buyer.
Whether you are dealing with a person brand new to cows or to your breed, or if it is an experienced person that knows exactly what they are looking for…
It all comes down to education.
Yes, educate your buyer.
What is the Best Way to Sell Your Cows? Read More »
Selling
Dry-aging is a key factor in creating high flavor profiles in your beef.
Dry-Aging – Why It’s Important Read More »
Beef
The internet has become an invaluable tool to ranchers, farmers and homesteaders looking to buy or sell livestock. But, scammers have infiltrated the industry making online sales and/or purchases more difficult to navigate. Here are some great tips to avoid getting scammed. And, as a bonus they can help you develop great contacts and relationships with the people you are buying or selling to.
Timeless Fence Post is king!
The Best Electric Fence Post Read More »
Farm Management
This morning I just received my package from Callipyge Genetics Lab in Selah, Washington. This is very exciting because it could be a game changer.
The package is from W.F. Hendrix, DBA (Doing Business As) Callipyge Genetics, LLC. The first thing I noticed is it cost $2.04 to send it to me in Calfornia, which is just south of Washington State. I ordered a set of 25 Tenet Certification Cards for $47.50, including postage, from their website April 22, 2025 and they were able to ship it May 9th. So, they have to be really busy.
If you recall, in last month’s Irish Dexter Cattlemen Tips & Tricks Guide, April 2025 Issue, Jeff Reusser, Royal Fare Farm submitted an article titled, “Who Knew Tenderness is Directly Correlated to Easy Keeper“. If you haven’t read the article, just click on the tittle. This article is about predicting exceptional beef tenderness with 100% accuracy. Now that’s exactly what I am looking for!
Our ranch started in 2009 by purchasing 3 Irish Dexters, a bull, a cow, and one male calf. Right away I knew what we would be doing with that calf. Much to our surprise, the day it was being slaughtered on our farm, the guy preparing the steer to be delivered to the butcher looked at our pasture and declared, “This is going to be great tasting beef” Boy was he right. Not only did it have an amazing taste, but it was tender too. Over the years I have learned the techniques to insure the best tasting grass fed, grass finished beef by carefully monitoring the grass they eat. But what good it it to have the best tasting beef when chewing on tack room leather? Both taste and tenderness are critical if you are going to provide a product folks really love. Testing for tenderness? Now that’s a game changer.
After a bit of tugging and pulling, I was able to open the package without cutting it. Sure enough, inside were twenty-five “Tenet Beef” cards. Each one labeled with their logo, bar coded, and included their website address, www.tenetbeef.com.
On the back of each card is space to write your Ranch Name and Date. The next line down is for the Animal ID. Then the third line is for a 15 digit EID number. Below this is another bar code, which is the same bar code on the front of the card. Every card has its own unique bar code.
Opening the card, things get a little tricky. There is a list of three things to do and the first thing to do on the list is a globsmack.
Stay tuned. There maybe more to come. Honey, were we serious about doing this testing thing?
Game Changer – Genetic Tenderness Testing Read More »
Beef
Your vigilance and prompt action are crucial!
4 common summer cattle diseases Read More »
Herd Health
This impossible pie whips up in minutes and uses some of the eggs and milk that are abundant this time of year…pro tip…try it with duck eggs for a fluffier result!
Great homestead dessert Read More »
Homesteading
Production objectives may vary considerably between individual producers
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/a-planning-calendar-for-beef-cattle-herd-health.html
Herd Health Planning Calendar Read More »
Herd Health
