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Getting Dexters is like eating chips, you can’t just have one!!! Written By Shelley Hatfield Whippoorwill Pines Farm

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.  

Getting Dexters is like eating chips, you can’t just have one!!! Written By Shelley Hatfield Whippoorwill Pines Farm Read More »

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Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2 – By Shelley HatField Of Whippoorwill Pines Farm

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2
 
I’m going to write about the second part of this series of keeping cows in the winter.  The first one was about making sure they have adequate water.  I’m going to talk about shelter in the winter.  This will once again depend on where you are in this great United States.  We have such diverse weather conditions.

I think that this could end up being a great debate, but I’m not wanting that.  I know some people think that the cows need a 5 Star barn and others think a few trees are plenty.  I’m just going to do a basic all around article on what the cows should have.  Then you can go from there and do what you feel is necessary. 

Starting with the milder states, you still should have at least a covering for them to get out of the sun in the summer and wind in the winter.  If you live in the colder states you will at least need a wind block.  It is also good for you to have at least a 3 sided building.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  It just needs to be something that they can get in out of the wind and rain/snow.  Now if you have had cows very long you will know that they will just stand outside in the weather.  They have grown coats for the weather that you have in your area.  
 
You will notice cows standing out in the winter weather and have their backs covered in snow.  That is a good sign.  That means that they are well insulated!!  Dexters in particular were created to weather more difficult situations. 

Each person knows what they want for their herd.  This is just some basic advice on what to have.  Happy Winter!!!

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2 – By Shelley HatField Of Whippoorwill Pines Farm Read More »

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Things necessary to get your cows through the winter – Part 1

Written by Shelley Hatfield/Whippoorwill Pines Farm

I’m going to talk about 6 things needed to help your cows get through the winter.  I’m sure that there are more than 6 things but these are what I think are most important.  The first thing that you need is fresh water!!  Where you are in the United States will determine how hard this will be over the winter.  Some places are warm enough that they just have to make sure it stays full.  But in some places it almost freezes before you get back to the house.  But fresh water is so important in the health of your cows.  It has been said that cows need 1 to 2 gallons of water per 100pd of body weight.  I know some think that maybe they can lick the snow or lick the ice.  But licking the ice would take so much time to get what they need.  It would also take up body energy that they need to keep warm. Cows that don’t have enough water supply can get dehydrated and are susceptible to colic and other issues.  It is just best to keep fresh water out to them daily.  

Not having water can hinder so many areas in a cow.  Whether in summer or winter, water is so important to the health of your cow.  People usually think about water problems for the summer time, but making sure they have water is also very important for winter.  It affects their digestive system.  It keeps their body temp regulated.  It affects milk production.  Water or lack of it can affect the overall health of your herd.  

There are a couple of different tank heaters that you can use.  One is a floating one that has a cage around it.  I used those for several years, but ran into problems with them.  My cows would get bored and chew on the cord as it hung over the tank.  I used a pvc pipe to try to help.  It worked as long as they left it alone.  There is also a tank heater that goes in the drain hole at the bottom.  This is the one that I’m using now.  I can run the cord out the bottom and around so they can’t reach it.  I will warn you that tank heaters can run up your electricity.  But unless you have waterers run to your pastures, it is tank heaters or break the ice!!  I’ve tried all the tricks that people have come up with and I haven’t found any that work for me.  

Whatever method you decide, tank heaters or breaking ice all day, lets just make sure that we are keeping fresh water to our herds this winter!!

Things necessary to get your cows through the winter – Part 1 Read More »

Beef Farm Management Herd Health

Do you need lots of acres to raise beef cattle? By Shelley Hatfield- WP Farm


 Do you need lots of acres to raise beef cattle?  The answer is absolutely not! But you will need to be a little more prepared than farms who have several acres.  You will need to have sturdier fences for one thing.  Farms with several hundred acres have room for the cows to roam so they aren’t as likely to get out.  I’m not saying they don’t ever get out on large farms but it is not as often.  Smaller farms, the cows don’t have the room to roam.  You need to make sure that your outer perimeter fencing is strong and tight.  That can be barbed wire, woven wire, or the combination of both.  This will keep you and your neighbors in good standing….lol
 Land is the second  thing that I want to talk about. With Dexters it doesn’t take as much as with “full sized” cows.  It is 1.5-2 acres per TWO cow/calf pair of Dexters.  But that doesn’t mean that you can stick them on any ole grass and they will grow well.  You have to maintain your pastures.  That is what I’m in the process of doing myself.  I’m working to get my pastures into regenerative grazing.  Which will help with how well my pastures stay.  
 Thirdly, you will need hay, which is something that all cattle farmers need usually.  Unless you are in some states that you can grow it year round.  But you need to make sure that you have good healthy hay.  That is important for the health of your cows.  You don’t want them to get sick.  
 One last thing, keeping your animal healthy is an overall, big or little farm, thing you need to do.  I think as a small farm it is easier to keep a watch on things than a big farm.  You have a more intimate relationship with your Dexters when you don’t have 100s to keep an eye on.  
 I am a small farm with not alot of acres, that is why I chose the Dexters at first. But as time as went on, they are so much more that good for small farms.  But that is for another time.  
 So in conclusion, you don’t need acres and acres of land to raise beef cattle.  You just need to make sure what you have is the best that it can be. 

https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/livestock/raising-cattle/how-i-raised-a-years-worth-of-grass-fed-beef-for-practically-nothing-zbcz2201

The Beginning Farmer’s Guide To Raising Backyard Beef
Raising cattle on your own place
Raising Grass-Fed Beef (Pros & Cons)

https://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/livestock/raising-cattle/how-i-raised-a-years-worth-of-grass-fed-beef-for-practically-nothing-zbcz2201

Do you need lots of acres to raise beef cattle? By Shelley Hatfield- WP Farm Read More »

Beef

An article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website

Good afternoon, I’m sitting down to write up an article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website.  I’m going to write this one up myself but I will include a few articles that you can go check out for yourself.  I don’t feel that I have any experience with this production yet as I’m just starting it myself.

I have been reading and watching so many different farms that have been using this as their practice and it is amazing what happens.  I’m talking about regenerative grazing. 

There is a place in Greenfield, IN called Tyner Pond Farm.  I was reading one of their articles this past spring and they had just pulled their cows off in March of this year.  They had wintered all winter on their pastures!!  They finally were feeding hay bales in March.  Their location is in Indiana which is about 2+ hours from me, but it is about directly across from me. So, the temperatures are close to being the same.  When I saw pictures, they had green grass still in March of 2024.  I find that amazing!! That is something that I want to strive for. 

Another place to find information about this practice is Greg Judy at Green Pastures Farm.  There are several videos that you can find on YouTube about how he does this practice.  

There is also Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm, who practices these methods.  

I’m still getting my perimeter fences all put in, hopefully they will all be put in by next spring.  Once you have your perimeter fences put in, you will separate those into small paddocks.  You will move your cattle every day through those paddocks.  As you watch Greg Judy, he has water lines run out to each paddock.  And most other people do, too.  That will be a down the road option for me.

This practice is a lot of work, but I believe that it will be well worth my time!!  Moving the cattle helps keep the microbes in the ground going.  It also helps to keep you from overgrazing your pastures, which is what I’m doing now.  Over grazing lets so many weeds in that it isn’t funny!!  This regenerative grazing also cuts down on the weeds.  

Another reason that I just learned this week is when you get your pastures going, you make sure your grass cocktail is good.  If you have a good cocktail of grasses that will keep the fly problem down!!!  Greg Judy has a Youtube video out that shows his cattle out on pasture with hardly, if any, flies on the cows.  It was amazing to watch!!!  The cows were sleek and shining with hardly any flies.  He talks about it with the guy who oversees it.  It is amazing!!!

I hope to come and write another article in about 3 years or so and tell you how it is going. I know that it will be hard work, but it will be so beneficial in the end!!  

Check out these farms to learn more information.  I believe this is so important for our pastures.  We need to preserve them as much as we can.

Shelley Hatfield

An article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website Read More »

Beef Farm Management
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