A Deep Dive Podcast, brought to you by Irish Dexter Cattlemen, on topics of interest to all farmers and ranchers. Subscribe to the free, monthly Irish Dexter Cattlemen Tips & Tricks Guide to get early access.
FIXING THE MATH OF HOMESTEAD BEEF Read More »
Podcasts
Are you a fan of the new lab grown milk and milk products? If not, here is a list of brands of milk that may contain lab grown milk, that a friend provided. I guess it’s time to read the labels ore closely. Or stick to milk from our Dexters!
Bored Cow: Maker of fluid animal-free dairy milk in various flavors (Original, Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla).
Brave Robot: A prominent pioneer in animal-free pint ice creams and frozen desserts.
Strive FREEMILK: A line of protein-enriched milks and nutritional beverages utilizing molecularly identical whey.
Modern Kitchen: A brand specializing in animal-free cream cheese and spreads.
The New Milk: A retail fluid milk line launched in collaborative partnerships with heritage dairy processors like Gad Dairies.
Graeter’s (Perfect Day Collaboration): A legacy ice cream brand that introduced a dedicated “Perfect Indulgence” line featuring lab-grown whey.
Nick’s Ice Cream: A popular light-ice-cream brand that utilizes animal-free dairy bases for several of its varieties.
Orgain Better Whey: A precision-fermented whey protein isolate powder developed under the Nestlé portfolio.
Lab Created Dairy…. Read More »
Milking
Ancestral ground beef is a simple way to enjoy more of what nature provides. By blending premium ground beef with nutrient-rich organs like beef liver and heart, you get the great taste of ground beef with an extra boost of essential vitamins and minerals.
Organ meats are among the most nutrient-dense foods available. They naturally provide vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc, copper, and other nutrients that support energy, immune function, and overall wellness. Because the organs are blended in at a balanced ratio, most people enjoy all the nutritional benefits without noticing a strong organ meat flavor.
At Pipe Dream Farms Butchery, we believe in honoring the whole animal by making the most of every cut. Our ancestral ground beef reflects that commitment, offering a wholesome, minimally processed product that’s both delicious and nutritious.
Whether you’re making burgers, tacos, meatballs, chili, or spaghetti, ancestral ground beef is an easy way to add more nutrient-dense food to your family’s meals—without changing the recipes you already love.
Eat the way generations before us did: simple, nourishing, and full of flavor.
Why Choose Ancestral Ground Beef? Read More »
Beef
A Movement to Redefine Cheese as a Superfood – Submitted by Donna Grace
Bringing Back Traditional Cheese-Making Read More »
Homesteading
Dexter beef is a breed of cattle that is known for its quality and taste. It is commonly known in foodie circles that Dexter beef is some of the tastiest around and really good to eat.
The Quality of Dexter Beef Read More »
Beef
Once rabbits reach processing size, timing, preparation, and efficiency matter. The goal is a humane, clean process that results in usable meat.
When to Process
Most rabbits are ready around 12 weeks of age.
Beginner Tip: Research breed growth rates before buying rabbits so your expectations match reality.
Some people withhold food for 24 hours before processing to keep things cleaner. Do what works best for your setup. We do not find this necessary with rabbits.
Dispatch Methods (Overview)
Choose the method you are comfortable and confident using. Speed and accuracy matter most.
Beginner Tip: Practice and confidence matter more than the method itself. Hesitation causes problems.
Basic Tools You’ll Need
Beginner Tip: Sharp knives make the entire process faster, cleaner, and safer.
Processing Overview
Some people spray rabbits with water after dispatch to control loose hair. This is optional, do what works for you.
Beginner Tip: Go slower your first few times, but don’t stop moving. Confidence comes with repetition.
Gutting & Butchering
There isn’t a ton of meat on a rabbit, even a large one, use as much as possible.
Beginner Tip: If cuts aren’t perfect, don’t stress. Rabbit works great for stew, soup, or sausage.
Feeding to Dogs
At almost any stage, rabbits can be fed to dogs.
Beginner Tip: Test with one rabbit before committing to feeding whole animals regularly.
Final Notes
Beginner Tip: Clean, cool, and quick = better meat and fewer problems.
Rabbit Raising – Part 2: Not Keeping Them Alive Read More »
Homesteading
In keeping with June is Dairy Month, here is a chart of the healthiest cheeses. We can make all of these from our Dexter milk!
Healthiest Cheeses Read More »
Milking
Check out number 12! Dexters can make that happen….
Tips For Starting A Homestead Read More »
Homesteading
Ultimately producing meat that is richer in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids (the good fats).
Regenerative Beef: The Healthier Choice Read More »
Beef
Bees can bring amazing benefits to your pastures, gardens and tummy!
Have You Considered Bee Keeping? Read More »
Homesteading
Here is a cut that is not so well known.
In the battle of Kansas City steak vs New York strip steak, they are in fact, the same cut. The Kansas City strip bone attached, New York does not. The New York strip typically has the tail section removed, the Kansas City does not. The cut originated in Kansas City and gained popularity when chefs in New York started calling it the New York strip.
Source Matthew Eads
More and ore states are approving the sale of raw milk. It is not for everyone, but the push is real.
Raw Milk Gaining Popularity Read More »
Milking
Another reason to raise your own beef! Dexter beef for WIN! You might want to consider Dexter beef sausage for breakfast. There is a recipe in the gazette!
Dexter beef for your health! Read More »
Beef
Bone broth elevates dishes with rich flavor and nutritional value – Submitted by Donna Grace
https://www.primaledgehealth.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-bone-broth
The Ultimate Guide to Bone Broth Read More »
Homesteading
When choosing cheese, opt for raw, organic, grass fed varieties
Cheese, the Ultimate Superfood Submitted By Donna Grace Read More »
Homesteading
We have always purchased this kind of product for our pans. Well not anymore.
BEEF TALLOW PRODUCTS….Don’t forget your skillet maintenance products! Read More »
Beef
Before you buy rabbits, decide why you’re raising them. This one choice affects everything else.
Beginner Tip: Don’t buy rabbits first and figure out a plan later. Housing and purpose should come beforebreed.
Why Are You Raising Rabbits?
Pets / Show Sales
**I do not enjoy selling pet rabbits but it is an option.
Beginner Tip: Spend time watching local listings and social media before breeding. What’s already selling tells you what people want.
Food
Beginner Tip: Bigger and faster is usually better than “prettier” when raising meat rabbits.
Housing Options
Cages
Beginner Tip: Cage systems are often easier for first-time breeders because problems are easier to spot early.
Colony
Beginner Tip: Colony systems work best when planned ahead, retrofitting almost always causes headaches.
Hybrid
Beginner Tip: Hybrid systems offer a good balance for beginners who want natural behavior with some control.
Shelter Setup
Primary Shelter
Where your breeders live.
Beginner Tip: If breeders are stressed, everything else goes downhill: prioritize this space.
Grow-Out Area
A separate space for young rabbits so breeders don’t get overcrowded.
Beginner Tip: Overcrowding is a fast way to create health problems.
Rabbit Tractor
A movable pen for grow-outs that provides lawn care.
Beginner Tip: Tractors are great for grow-outs, but not ideal for breeders long-term.
Substrate Choices
Beginner Tip: If something smells bad, it’s time to change it, even if the schedule says otherwise.
Food & Feeding Basics
Beginner Tip: Most feeding problems are actually feeder placement problems, not feed problems.
Common Beginner Concerns
Choosing Rabbits
Beginner Tip: Ask breeders how their rabbits were raised before buying.
Heat
Beginner Tip: Heat kills faster than cold, plan for summer first.
Cold
Beginner Tip: Wet + cold is dangerous; dry + cold usually isn’t.
Losses
Beginner Tip: Everyone loses rabbits at some point—don’t quit after the first setback.
Health Issues to Watch For
Coccidia
Beginner Tip: Clean, dry pens dramatically reduce coccidia risk.
Weaning Enteritis
Beginner Tip: Watch young rabbits closely during weaning, it’s the most vulnerable time.
GI Stasis
Beginner Tip: When in doubt, simplify the diet.
Pasteurella
Beginner Tip: Occasional sneezing is normal—constant sneezing with discharge is not.
Rabbit Raising – Part 1: Keeping Them Alive Read More »
Homesteading
The study below show that there are differences in the milk produced for boys and girls. Could this be true for our Dexters we are miking…and note what it says if there are two girls in a row! This could be very interesting to study.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/boys-and-girls-may-get-different-breast-milk
COULD THIS BE TRUE FOR DEXTERS? Read More »
Milking
Too bad the photo of the top pick wasn’t used! Milk, meat and oxen….none of the other breeds listed are known for all three!
Top Homesteading Breed! Read More »
Homesteading
Grass Fed beef is higher in beta carotene, vitamin E, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 3 fatty acids
Health Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef Read More »
Beef
Dexter beef is a breed of cattle that is known for its quality and taste. It is commonly known in foodie circles that Dexter beef is some of the tastiest around and really good to eat.
The Quality Of Dexter Beef Read More »
Beef Selling
”With the rise of farm-to-table eating and artisanal meats many diners are seeking out flavorful beef from non-commercial cattle breeds. One such breed gaining popularity is Dexter beef a tender, succulent meat from small, hardy cows native to Ireland.”
https://redtablemeats.com/fresh-meat/beef/what-is-dexter-beef
What is Dexter Beef? Read More »
Beef
This podcast covers some of the questions we all have when starting out with cuts from our Dexters. The cuts will be the same…just different overall yields.
They have some interesting ideas for selling to your customer base.
Cutting up The Beef podcast Read More »
Beef
When we started our homestead, we began with chickens. That feels like the natural order of things for most people. Later, we added rabbits. While it was a learning curve, now that we’ve figured out the best care and have our colonies settled, I can confidently make the case for rabbits over chickens.
Here’s why:
I’ll admit, fresh eggs from chickens are nice but meat chickens don’t typically provide eggs. Rabbits, on the other hand, offer consistent meat production year-round.
We raise ours colony style, though many prefer cages. Both methods have advantages, and it’s all about finding what works for you. All in all, raising rabbits is a rewarding endeavor for any small homestead.
Rabbits vs. Chickens: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Rabbits | Chickens |
| Space Needed | Minimal (stackable hutches or colony space) | Larger coop and run required |
| Noise Level | Silent | Clucking and crowing |
| Manure | Garden-ready immediately | Requires composting |
| Meat Yield | 200+ lbs/year (2 does + buck) | Varies; meat birds only. no reproduction of meat crosses |
| Eggs | None | Yes (layers only) |
| Processing | Easier, less messy | More labor-intensive |
| Breeding | Year-round, very prolific | Seasonal, less frequent. Meat crosses do not breed true. |
Why Rabbits Might Beat Chickens on a Small Homestead Read More »
Homesteading
Knowing the value of your milk, can help you value the products you make from your milk. Here is one person’s breakdown.
There is a wide range of raw milk dairy prices across the board, but how do you know your prices make sense based off a gallon of milk?
Here is a simple breakdown on price setting costs!
Starting point:
Milk value $15/gallon = $7.50/half gallon = $3.75/quart = ~$0.94/cup.
This is your base price to compare against, you can enter any value and adjust accordingly.
Pricing based on your $15/gal milk:
• Butter: $20–$25/lb
• Buttermilk: $5–$6/qt
• Cream: $12–$15/pint
• Yogurt: $5–$6/qt
• Fresh Cheese: $15–$20/lb
• Aged Cheese: $50–$80/lb
As always, know your state regulations for dairy.
Know your farmer.
Shop local.
Barter when you can!
Need Help Pricing Your Dairy Products? By Sunstone Orchard & Rabbitry. Read More »
Milking
This is an interesting article on how people are returning to the old ways and using more and more of their processed beef. Healthier alternatives are growing in your pastures!
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/08/cowmaxxing-wellness-cow-tallow/683826
How much of your Dexter do you use? Read More »
Beef
Mike Baker describes features of market readiness for both finished and unfinished beef and dairy crosses.
Determining the Market Readiness of Beef Cattle Read More »
Beef Herd Health
