beef

Information on Irish Dexter beef

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 »

Beef

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

Selling Dexters by Sue Pollington

There is this thing that happens when you have Dexter cattle and really any kind of cows. It’s called cow math. The cows just keep multiplying and it’s all your fault.

In my Dexter journey this happens 2 ways. I got my fist Dexter cow, she had her yearling steer by her side and was pregnant. I thought cool, 3 for the price of one. Who doesn’t love a sale?

The new calf was born, another steer (not at birth but after a bit (was removed)). I know I’d have 3, but I didn’t know how much I would love being a milkmaid. I loved milking, processing the milk, and making all the fabulous dairy products. When the calf was weaned, my avocation as a milkmaid did too. No more dairy goodies and now I knew what real dairy was and I couldn’t bear to buy the junk stores have and call dairy.

I bought a second Dexter Milk Cow, with a steer by her side so I could milk year round with Spring and Fall calves. Now there were 5 cows. One steer went to freezer came and I was down to 4. Good for me. But then the new heifer calf was born and we were back up to 5.

Here I became foolish and bought a 3rd Dexter milkcow for emotional reasons. ( I did not need a 3rd Dexter Milk cow) She did not come with a calf at her side hooray. So, we were up to 6, I sold the heifer calf and we were down to 5. The new cow had a heifer calf and we were back up to 6.

It’s all my fault. I bred the cows, bought the cows. I will sell the new heifer calf and be back down to 5 but I have 2 calves due this Spring, but I will send another steer to freezer camp next month so I will stay at 6 until the 2025 Fall calf will make it 7 unless I sell 1 or both Spring calves.

Cow Math is real. So you will have to consider how you want to manage your herd size.

Sue Pollington

Selling Dexters by Sue Pollington Read More »

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