August 2026

History helps track changes in a herd over a period of years.

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When people ask me why I think the history of Dexter Cattle is important this is just one great reason that I may give. If you see changes over years happening during the foundational years you can see how breeders were interpreting improvement during a time when people were focusing on breed selection to adhere to a standard that was the norm for the day. You can also see changes that happened over the years and genetics that were diminished in frequency or increased in frequency.
Dexter cattle, though many were black in the early days compared to today this bull Bantam in the top photo was red. During the foundational years it was much more common to find a red Dexter than it was in America prior to people intentionally selecting to increase or preserve red Dexters. Now today red is so common that if someone did not know the History of the breed, they may think it was the predominate color from the beginning.

It’s an interesting point to note; this bull Bantam was bred by the Prince of Wales at Sandringham in 1896. Bantam is what a Champion prize Dexter looked like in 1897. This location is situated in Sandringham, Norfolk, England. Dexters had a very early start of popularity in England being bred by some very noteworthy people. In 1862 Sandringham Estate was under 8,000 acres were as today the acreage is closer to 20,000 acres. If you look at the second picture you will see that in 1914 Dexters were still being breed at Sandringham by the King. The first bull Bantam has a good broad form for a Dexter of his day but when you compare him to the form of the Dexter bull that the King had in the photograph in 1914 you will see he has a broad back end as well as his front. It would be really nice to see a clearer photo of the second bull but we can see enough to consider some of his conformation. Improvements with each generation are very important and should always be improved based upon the breed standard of a breed, because without a standard there is no direction for improvement. While improving on beef traits one must always remember to improve dairy traits equally too, so as not to diminish dairy traits in favor of beef. A beautiful beefy bull is of little value to a dual-purpose breed if he only throws daughters that lack quality dairy traits. When both traits are in harmony you get a great dual-purpose Dexter.

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Historical

Welcome to the Online Farmer’s Gazette – Orginally Established in 1887

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The original Gazette, published by the Royal Dublin Society, was a “Register of Pure Kerry Cattle and Dexters” in Ireland and three years later became the Kerry and Dexter Herdbook, with volume 1 appearing in 1890.

This new, updated Irish Dexter Cattlemen Gazette, first published in 2024, is not so much about the Dexter cattle. It is more about Irish Dexter Cattlemen, livestock farmers and ranchers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

While Irish Dexters are in some respects superior as a stock, owing to the taste of their meat and milk, the tenderness of their beef, easy calving, mild mannerism, as well as their hardiness. It was stated by His Excellency Lord Eglinton, ‘they are the thoroughbreds of cattle’. That is what we think is true about Irish Dexter Cattlemen farmers and ranchers, they are the thoroughbreds of cattlemen. This is what this Gazette, using modern technology, is all about.

This Gazette is an easy-to-use, multimedia relational database system for members providing a guide for you, the farmer and rancher, using the best technology available to answer to your questions, display information to assist you with your operation, and give you access to a collection of resources not available else-ware. As an online multimedia relational database, the Gazette structures information into areas of interest so that you can focus on topics about which you are most interested. These areas of interest are what we call Community Groups: Farm Management Community, Beef Community, Milking & Dairy Community, Herd Health Community, Historical Community, Selling Community, and Technology Community. These Community Groups are led by Community Directors, experienced farmers and ranchers, who scour the Internet looking for information that is of interest to their specific community group. That information is posted here in the Gazette in the form of:

    • Original posts from content creators, farmers and ranchers like yourself,
    • Posts from industry experts,
    • Online digital magazines,
    • Irish Dexter Registry publications,
    • Independent podcasts
    • Video providers,
    • Farming and Ranching Guides,
    • Historical Herdbooks,
    • Topical books on farming and ranching

This Gazette has taken years to develop by technology experts, who are also farmers and ranchers like you. It takes a lot of time, energy, knowledge, and resources to produce and maintain. If you have a passion for what you do and are looking for ways to make your farm or ranch even better, we would love for you to become a member. Your membership helps use to help you. Join using the links in our free monthly Tips & Tricks Guide, or using the links on our website Home page.

Members automatically gain access to additional functions or tabs of the Gazette:

    • Communities
      • Magazines
        • Guides
          • Herdbooks
            • Journals
              • Cowgirls
                • Cowboys

All the information on the Irish Dexter Cattlemen website is dynamically formatted to fit any device you might have in your pocket, in your hand, on your tractor, in your car, in the cup holder of your ATV, or on your desktop. 

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General

Beef Shish Kabobs

The busyness of summer is blending into the rush of back to school. On the farm or homestead there is plenty to do too, and there isn’t a lot of time to think about dinner. Try these quick, easy beef shish kabobs, perfect for a quick meal. Plus, they can be cooked on the grill so they won’t heat up the kitchen.

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Beef

Mentorship

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From Curiosity to Confidence: The Power of Mentorship in Homesteading

When we packed up and moved to a new state, we knew we were signing up for a life of hard work. Beyond that? We were flying blind. With little more than enthusiasm and a Pinterest board full of dreams, we dove headfirst into the world of chickens and ducks. But when it came to dairy animals, I hesitated. I didn’t feel ready. I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

Then came a turning point—what began as a simple search for local raw milk turned into something far more valuable: I found a mentor.

And not just any mentor—the perfect one. Local, experienced, generous with her time and wisdom. I had originally envisioned a milk cow (because let’s be honest, that’s what all the idyllic homestead photos show, right?). But after countless visits to her farm and long, thoughtful conversations about what would actually work for our lifestyle, I started with dairy goats instead.

It’s been a whirlwind ever since.

From panicked texts about what to feed, to late-night worries over a listless goat, she’s been there—steady, supportive, and full of insight. Her guidance has been nothing short of a godsend.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone considering this lifestyle, it would be this: find a mentor. Not just someone who knows their stuff, but someone who cares deeply about what they do—and about helping others succeed.

And here’s the secret: when you invest in quality animals, you often find that mentor built right in. Breeders who truly care about their stock want to see them thrive, even after they leave the farm. That’s where the real relationships begin.

In just four years, I’ve grown more than I ever imagined—not just in skill, but in confidence. Sure, I could have learned it all the hard way. But would I have come this far, this fast? I doubt it.

Mentorship isn’t just helpful in homesteading—it’s essential. It’s the bridge between dreaming and doing.

Foot note….. Lisa and her husband Matt are members of the Irish Dexter Cattlemen and anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first Dexters next month.

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Homesteading
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