Great homestead dessert
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!
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HomesteadingMay 2026
Herd Health Planning Calendar
Production objectives may vary considerably between individual producers
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/a-planning-calendar-for-beef-cattle-herd-health.html
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Herd Health
THE DEXTER DWARF
I’m not sure if horns, polled or the dwarf incite more spirited conversations in the Dexter world. I am proud to have all of those in our small homestead farm, truly, experiencing all the Dexter has to offer even on our small acreage.
I have become frustrated and even angered by some of the reactions to all of these traits, that are all part of our amazing breed. Diversity was defined in our breed standards and have existed since the “birth” of our breed.
We have so many things to celebrate… like a unique color mutation in our stunning duns. Our duality, some of the richest milk that is easily digested like the goat. And at the same time some of the best beef, that has found its way into restaurants of the famous Chefs like Ramsay. And a unique BD1 gene, that has given birth to many many other breeds!
BD1 is a treasured genetic report on our farm. Our experience with the dwarf has been purely positive, for both dairy and meat. We never breed a carrier to a carrier. So we have never experienced some of the awful things that one person beats to death on one of the FB pages. I do love our non carriers too, as it takes one of each to make the dwarf!
It’s interesting that most of the folks that speak out about the dwarf negatively , have never experienced the dwarf…they rely on the propaganda of one! And standing up to him on his site…well the comments disappear or they go into forever pending. He must control the narrative!
We have not experienced the arthritis in the Dexters which could occur in both the carrier and the non carrier…or could it be the result of tick borne disease, that affects us humans. There are not good recordings of deaths of all Dexters, so the reports that dwarf pass earlier than non carriers, is only a guess, without documented proof. Again something, that fits a narrative.
And let’s talk about the associations and their responsibilities to protect the dwarf and it’s heritage… both have members and board members that share some or all of the detrimental beliefs about the dwarf, hopefully, a balance will be maintained in beliefs or the dwarf is doomed.
I have changed my opinions on some aspects over the last 14 years, but one thing I have never changed are my feelings about are the dwarf. The dwarf or carrier, it’s all just terminology that describes a Dexter that truly has stolen my heart.
Do you struggle with sales…listen up!
Building a customer base, rather than selling at the sale barn is essential to our Dexter businesses. In this podcast, they discuss how to build your business and attract your customers .
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Selling
HAVE YOU VISITED OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL?
Check us out! Click on the button at the bottom. Feel free to submit some of your videos to wr******@******************en.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener nofollow” title=””>wrangler@irishdextercattlem. We are looking for contributors!
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General
Choosing the right cow for your homestead
I really enjoyed this podcast about how to choose a milk cow for your homestead. While she is very pro Jersey, they do mention the Dexter and the principles for looking for the right cow for your farm, ranch or homestead are essentially the same.
Interestingly she does recommend the trained cow, she did not take the route, but explains the long game to get there. Which ever route you choose, the Dexter should definitely be considered. Less food, easy keepers, little to no metabolic issues have been my experience.
They talk about Angus Jersey being some of the best beef…someone needs to feed them some Dexter!
Listen up ….remember the Dexter is has been the right choice for many of us….we just need to spread the word!
Homesteading with a milk cow
American FarmSteadHers~ Your Homesteading & Gardening Podcast
Jenny asks the questions as someone interested in a future dairy cow, and Donna answers with her experience. We go over the very basics of looking for and keeping a family dairy cow on the homestead.americanfarmsteadhers.com americanfarmsteadconvention.com
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-farmsteadhers-your-homesteading-gardening/id1615836366?i=1000596157232
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Homesteading
Yogurt… Have you tried this method?
Submitted by Riley Wohlgemuth with the permission of SunStone Orchard Rabbitry
https://www.facebook.com/100064629581910/videos/1263753955047601/?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&fs=e
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Milking
Halter training your calf….when is the right time?
The Question is often asked “When is the best time to halter train your calves?”. We put a halter on a calf for our milk cows calves within the first week of life. This gives them time to establish a nursing routine, so the halter won’t risk being an interference in the first few days of life. You can easily pick up a newborn calf and take them to the barn to separate for the morning’s milking but that lasts for a short time. The sooner you get a calf to learn to lead the better off you will be as they only get stronger. If they learn from day one that you are boss, it’s a great start. For us the most preferred time for calving is when there is no grass growing and we are feeding hay. You can have a calf and its mother in a small pasture where the calf learns on a small scale to be caught, lead and released again. Then by the time the grass is green the calf has a better idea of what to expect and has gained more trust in people. You can use a small pasture during the growing season too, but then your feeding hay when they could be eating grass. We also teach our calves to be pushed at a young age. Often times the oldest calf that has been trained the longest will be the leader but temperament also has a play in the matter. If you start in small pastures you can round up the calves and they will all walk together to a location you want them to go to. If one doesn’t get into it’s mini herd, you can clip it’s halter and get it to walk. Training calves to do multiple things at a young age really saves you a lot of headaches later on when they are much larger. I halter train older calves too out of cows we don’t milk. They can be trained just as well in the end but it takes more effort than just integrating it into your everyday routine.
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Farm Management
The Homestead Act of 1862
o help develop the American West and spur economic growth, Congress passed the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided 160 acres of federal land to anyone who agreed to farm the land.
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Homesteading
What Could Be
There I was, eating dinner, an Irish Dexter tri-tip with potatoes. They were asking where someone could buy Irish Dexter beef. What timing, I had just finished creating my online store.
I had never had an actual online store before where anyone could go and buy the products our farm had for sale. I got calls from time-to-time, but it was always hit and miss. Worse, I would not have the email address of the caller so that I could follow up.
The new online store could even be its own website. It had our farm name, pictures, how we raised our Dexters. our phone number, and even a Follow button capturing their email address.
For the first time, our farm had an online store. Individual cuts of our beef were there. Pork cuts were there. Our pigs for sale were there. All the live Irish Dexters for sale were there. Even the wholesale beef halves and beef wholes were there. A nightmare solved!
I could taste the amazing Irish Dexter tri-tip. Then suddenly I wokeup. It was all a dream. Oh, if only I thought.
All Electric Ranger XP Kinetic Side-by-Side
How does the cost of ownership compare to a gas-powered vehicle?
You can expect to save a significant amount during ownership with 70 percent less maintenance than a gas–powered vehicle, fewer moving parts and no gas to buy. Combine this with the confidence of a 3-year electric powertrain and 5-year battery warranty, and the RANGER XP Kinetic has a compelling cost of ownership.
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Technology