Grass finishing isn’t as easy as sticking some steers out on grass until they’re fat and ready for processing. For really good flavor and tenderness you need a steady rate of gain. For a steady rate of gain you need quality forage – especially leading to finishing. Every beef farmer who finishes on grass is a grass farmer first. Need some tips on finishing your Dexter on grass?
Finishing Beef on Grass Read More »
Beef
“The statement “you are what you eat” is actually a biologically correct concept akin to bioaccumulation, in which the nutrients at the bottom of a food chain carry through organism after organism, increasing in concentration as they reach the top of the chain…”
Better Beef Starts in the Soil Read More »
Beef
There are plenty more recognizable and branded breeds for beef, but are they the best? I would argue they are not. Am I wrong? Maybe you should taste for yourself…
Beef That Will Blow Your Mind Read More »
Beef
Maybe up until now you haven’t thought too much about what the animals you eat today were fed yesterday. That’s pretty common for most folks, but there really is a difference between grass-fed beef and the rest.
You may have heard the terms “grass-fed” or “open range” and “grain-fed,” not knowing the real difference between them.
Once you understand the vital differences between grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef, you’ll have a better understanding of why this distinction is so important.
6 Grass-Fed Beef Nutrition Benefits that May Surprise You Read More »
Beef
When Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) went public, there was a broad belief that people wanted meatless meat. It was healthier than meat. It was better for the environment. Beef cattle give off huge amounts of methane. McDonald’s even partnered with Beyond Meat to create a McPlant sandwich.
Beyond Meat Better than Dexter Beef? Read More »
Beef
We’ve all seen the push to remove red meat, and especially beef, from our diets. But, is that actually the answer and are the alternatives any better? This article below talks about some of the nuances of beef production and the alternatives like impossible burger.
I love the question the last paragraph asks, “So, what would the world look like based on your food choices?”
Thoughts on Regenerative Beef Read More »
Beef
Beef producers can realize major price premiums for grass-fed, pasture-raised, or local meat.
5 Tips For Finishing Cattle on Grass Read More »
Beef
My favorite thing about summer – easy meals on the grill. This steak with herbed butter is delicious! Especially when made with Dexter beef.
https://iowagirleats.com/perfect-grilled-steak-with-herb-butter/
Perfect Grilled Steak Read More »
Beef
I had never tasted Dexter meat previously, so I was very keen to sink my teeth into a nice steak. The first thing I noticed was the flavor. It reminded me of what beef used to taste like when I started as a butcher, 50 years ago.
https://butchermagazine.com/dexter-beef/https://butchermagazine.com/dexter-beef/
Submitted by Pam B
Dexter Beef – The Taste Test Read More »
Beef
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
The weather is getting warmer, you’re busy outside and need something easy for dinner. Throw a Dexter chuck roast in the slow cooker and dinner is served! Make a bowl, a burrito or tacos – you can’t go wrong!
https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/copycat-chipotle-barbacoa-slow-cooker-low-carb-paleo/
Learn how Meadow Green Farm runs a profitable beef business, including direct to consumer sales:
Keys to a successful beef business Read More »
Beef
Dry-aging is a key factor in creating high flavor profiles in your beef.
Dry-Aging – Why It’s Important Read More »
Beef
Renown chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oilver, indicate they’ve found something better…and just like diamonds… it comes in small packages. Introducing Dexter cattle.
https://www.thenorthcoastranch.com/blog/4-reasons-our-grass-fed-beef-tastes-uncommonly-delicious
Why Dexter Cattle? Read More »
Beef
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
Try this quick (30 minute) and easy beef recipe for dinner tonight:
Mongolian Beef Recipe Read More »
Beef
This video was created by Thornbridge Smallholding in England, and is a great intro to butchering a Dexter cow.
Dexter beef butchery Read More »
Beef
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
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:
Beef Trends in 2025 Read More »
BeefEver wonder if you’re missing out on some great cuts because they’re not as common, or you don’t know how to prepare and cook them? Check out this video and you might learn about a steak cut you haven’t heard of, or gain a new tip on cooking and prepping a tried and true favorite.
Favorite Steak Cuts Read More »
Beef
Dexters are a perfect size for beef home butchery. Here is a great primer on home butchering, complete with a list of tools and helpful suggestions.
https://www.artofmanliness.com/living/food-drink/a-primer-on-butchering-at-home/
Butchering at Home Read More »
Beef
By Shelley Hatfield/Whippoorwill Pines Farm
Part #4 of this series is MUD, ugh!!! I’m thinking that most of us have dealt with mud at one point or another. Some of us deal with mud more than others. Right now we are dealing with a lot of mud around my place. You have to really watch foot rot and thrush when you are dealing with mud. Also you have to make sure they aren’t standing in mud because that makes it hard for them to stay warm. Even if it is only their legs that are caked in mud. If you don’t have much room for them to move around, you might want to add gravel and/or wood chips to help with the mud. Another way to help them stay off mud is to do rotational grazing in the winter. This lessens the chances that your pastures will turn to mud. The cows will be moving all the time and won’t be staying in one area. I hope these little articles are helping you all!! Happy Winter!!
Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #4 Read More »
Beef
I kinda want to go back to the beginning. We are getting several new Dexter owners and several people asking questions. So I will post some articles on getting started. These articles aren’t necessarily directed to Dexter cattle in particular, but the basics are the same.
First of all, you do need to decide what you are wanting to do with your Dexters. Since they are a dual purpose breed, you need to decide the most important thing you are wanting out of these cattle. I’m not saying this has to be forever, but you do need to decide what your main goal is for raising these cattle. Then you can go from there later on. Secondly, you need to decide what your property will hold. This is VERY important. In this you need to decide which direction your farm is going, grass fed, mostly grass fed with some grain, or grain fed. It may seem overwhelming at first, but just take one thing at a time. You can change your mind as you go and see what works for your farm and what doesn’t. Don’t get overwhelmed!!
Next a good water source will be needed. Either by running lines, running hoses, putting in automatic waterers. Cows need a good grass source and good clean water. Some people let their cows use their ponds. That is fine as long as the pond doesn’t have a run off. Cows can also damage a pond by pushing in the dirt as they stand in it and filling it back up. Unless you have a deep pond.
Another thing that I have found to be very important is to have ample equipment for holding them. You need a good chute. It doesn’t always have to be a fancy set up. If you can afford one that is great, but you need a good head chute. You can make an alley way to it with panels or fencing. A good head chute is vital to being able to inspect or service your cattle.
A good mentor is very very helpful!!! Find someone who has raised cattle, particularly Dexters and learn everything you can from them. Our website will be very helpful in that area. You can find other Dexter owners. We also have lots of information that is helpful, in several different areas.
Reducing the need for feed means fewer methane emissions, which is attractive to companies like McDonald’s
McDonald’s and Syngenta Team Up. Read More »
Beef
Hybrid products that combine actual meat with veggies or pea protein could become a thing
Hybird Meat May Gain Ground! Read More »
Beef
