Author: Janelle Soja
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Halter Breaking
Let’s follow along with Porterhouse and Teal as he shows us how to build a successful working relationship with our cows – including halter breaking.
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A Conversation on Grazing
A little on the long side, but packed with great info on everything from experimental crops for grazing, to various methods of bale grazing.
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Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Need a quick week night meal? Check out this tasty beef stroganoff. And it can be made with one dish, so less dishes to do after dinner!
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Selecting a Bull
Someone recently asked about selecting a bull calf with traditional Dexter characteristics. Many breeders more experienced than me have covered this topic, but having bred Dexters for quite a few years now (and made plenty of mistakes) I am adding my two cents to the topic. Selecting a bull calf starts before they are even…
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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…
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Managing a small herd of cattle
Let’s join Pete from Just A Few Acres as he talks about the nuts and bolts of managing a herd of Dexters.
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Grain Finishing Beef
There are as many ways to finish beef as there are farming setups. If you prefer the taste and ease of grain finished beef, here are some great tips for grain finishing your beef steers on the farm and reaching that choice taste and tenderness.
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Finishing Beef on Grass
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…
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Do you have 100 days of grazing left?
Save money by using your cattle to graze remaining forage on hay fields. There are numerous benefits, including cost savings, fertilization, and soil/plant nutrient storage.
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Treating Scours
When our Dexters calve, they usually have a surplus of colostrum. We milk some to freeze and have on hand for emergencies. Having this liquid gold on hand can now help with treating scours in calves…
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Better Beef Starts in the Soil
“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…”
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Beef That Will Blow Your Mind
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…
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Slow is Fast
“Slow is fast”, this is the phrase my dad says at least once or twice every time we work cattle. There are some things you just can’t rush, and cattle are one of them. While we have found our Dexters are easy to move and work with, here are some tips to become more proficient…
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Hay on the Brain
It’s hay season, which is always a hectic time of year in our area. You may not be ready to think about hay or winter, but you can usually get the best deals buying it right out of the field – and now is the time to do that! Here is an article on tips…
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Thoughts on Regenerative 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…
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Perfect Grilled Steak
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/
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Working with Nature
How systems-based research can help inform our farming practices, from creating more regenerative systems to helping with water retention in drought affected areas:
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Control Weeds Naturally
As livestock farmers a large percent of our work goes into pasture and forage management. Invasive, non-local weeds can be a big pain, and some are even damaging to our animals (poisonous) and local forage. This article addresses simple, natural solutions to weed control on the farm. We have always had the most success by…
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Barbacoa Recipe
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/
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Keys to a successful beef business
Learn how Meadow Green Farm runs a profitable beef business, including direct to consumer sales:
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Grazing Dexter Cattle
Watch as WR Ranch explains their set up and methods for rotationally grazing their herd of Dexter cattle.
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The Cost of a Dexter
Pricing a Dexter in 2025 is nuanced and regionally dependent. Join David of DK Cattle Co as he talks pricing and the many details that can influence costs in today’s market. https://youtu.be/GdJGjM5MkN4?si=BdZj_cCxU9WTPK4n
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Willow for Grazing
Are cows that eat willow better for the planet? A Queens University research project aims to find out if Willow can make farming more carbon neutral. One aspect of Agroforestry uses trees as forage for livestock, and is gaining in popularity. Willow contain anti-parasitic compounds, they can be a great buffer around water sources, and…
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Chasing Fads will Leave You Behind
A great podcast by Working Cows, interviewing Bart Carmichael and Pat Guptill of “Principled Land Managers.” Bart and Pat talk about the importance of vision and principles in farming. Practices are flexible can change based on the land, animals and resources available, but having solid principles can set you up for success no matter where…
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Basics of Record Keeping
Keeping records is an important aspect of running a successful livestock business. It is even more imperative if you are raising pedigreed and registered animals. But, how do you know what details will be helpful and what details will just add more work to your already full plate? This article is a practical guide to…
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Utilizing Summer Annual Forage
https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/post/maximizing-forage-production-summer-annuals
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Turning cows out on spring grass
Let’s join Pete at Just A Few Acres Farm as he talks about the decision to start grazing his Dexters in the spring, as well as other spring chores on the farm.
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DIY Round Bale Feeder
I found this DIY feeder when I was looking for inexpensive options for my sheep. As Dexters are smaller, I could see this working great for them as well. It would also work well if you have mixed species together in the pasture. https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2019/10/save-money-with-diy-hay-feeders/
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Farmer-led research
When you are considering trying something new it is always helpful to have the wisdom of others who have tried and failed or succeeded. We’ve done a little winter bale grazing with our Dexter herd, and the effects on the pasture are dramatic and obvious (a swath of lush green and clover through a mostly…
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Mongolian Beef Recipe
Try this quick (30 minute) and easy beef recipe for dinner tonight: https://tasteandsee.com/mongolian-beef/