Dairy

“Dairy Breed” Champion Dexter Bull Atlantic Spratt

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Atlantic Spratt was Shown with these Dairy/ Dual-purpose Breeds in 1956!

All Breeds entering the show had to have qualified performace records to compete.

Dexter Cattle put a High Emphasis on Dairy Traits

Dexter Cattle put a high emphasis on dairy traits and beef traits equally. Thoughtful breeders were honing these Irish cattle to excel in both capacities. One of the ways they were doing this, was by selecting bulls from dams with known milk records. Pedigree information is interesting to reflect on when you see repeated names in pedigrees and photos to document what genes might have been passed on from their ancestors. Looking at a bull alone will never tell you anything deeper about his genetics, than what you can evaluate with your eye. A nice-looking bull tells you nothing about what type of milk production his dam might of possessed. Thankfully with photos we can look back on bulls like Atlantic Spratt and see that he had a lot to offer besides just good looks. The fact that Spratt was presented at the show tells us that his dam was qualified by performance records, because it was a requirement to enter the show. Though none of the cows are perfect and much improvements can still be had in generations to come, evaluating them and their records goes to show that they were cows that could surely fill the pail.

Grinstead Toby Sire of Atlantic Spratt

From this photo we can see where Atlantic Spratt got some of his good looks from. His sire was Grinstead Toby, a Reserve Champion Dexter, but to dig deeper I will investigate some of the females in Toby’s pedigree.

Grinstead Trixie the 8th From a Long Line of Doccumented Milkers

Grinstead Trixie 8th Queen of the Dairy Show

This is Grinstead Trixie the 8th. Lady Loder the breeder, was known for only selecting sires out of cows with proven milking records. Though this cow may seem like she has less than perfect attachment at 10 years old(the age in photo), she looks to have a good amount of volume. You will see in the article above, Trixie is “Queen of the Dairy Show” in October 1953 (then 13 years old and winning first prize for 3 running years). She was a top Dexter cow out of cows that were milking at 4 and a half gallons of milk a day. Lady Loder was known to cull hard and keep to a high standard. Trixie the 8th could have had improved udder attachment, but she definitely filled her part as a solid milk cow. Now I shall dig a bit further back in history to give the reader a greater understanding. Let us next consider Grinstead Trixie the second and likewise the original Trixie herself.

Grinstead Trixie the 2nd

The Original Trixie of 1904 Foundation to Grinstead Herd

Just to give a very interesting historical compass to the full impact of the Grinstead Trixie line, let us delve deep into history, back to November 1919 when the original Trixie was being written about. The original Trixie was one of an original 12 cows that were obtained by Lady Lodger. Of those original cows she only kept three, Trixie being one of three top cows. Those 3 cows were chosen for their milking powers. Trixie was born in 1904 and was a foundation cow for the Royal Dublin Society. By 1919 she had produced her 14th calf, proving to be productive and already fairly long lived. What an exceptional cow to start your herd from. This cow was the foundation of Lady Loders Grinstead herd and imprinted her name on the herd for generations to come. Lady Loder in other statements had complained about some of the low quality Dexters that were being sold. Lady Loder may not have started with the best stock, but she culled down to just three cows to build her herd from and only used proven bulls that possessed dairy traits worth passing on to their offspring. She had a focused eye that considered the breed standard when evaluating and considering her Dexters by. Her legacy is one worth being remembered and replicated, showing you do not need much to start out with, but rather have a quest for quality and be willing to cull to obtain it.

Murrell Peach Blossom: Another cow in Spratts line

Murrel Peach Blossom who was likewise related to Atlantic Spratt was a challenge cup winner.

Grinstead Hawk 5th: Another cow in Spratts line

Grinstead Hawk obtained a register of merit for milk production in 1940, won 1st in the milking trails and won the reserve Nutt challenge cup and many more competitions. Though her flat feet and titlted teat may jump out as not quite perfect, there is much to be appriciated in a cow with solid milk production.

Peach Blossom of Claragh : A heifer in Spratts Line

Peach Blossom of Claragh won 2nd place for a cow in milk while competing against mature cows.

In conclusion to this article, I will leave you with this cow Grinstead Watercress, bred by Lady Loder though not directedly related to Spratt. This cow is graceful and well balanced a testament to her breeding. Some may say that she is not deep enough, but for a cow that I believe to be non chondro born in 1920 I’d say she is quite beautiful indeed. I hope this article inspires people, no matter the size of your herd or no matter how long you have been breeding that their is always room for improvement, no matter the current genetics in your herd. In order to truely preserve the wonderful Dexter traits of yesterday we must also be willing to impove our cattle of today.

“Dairy Breed” Champion Dexter Bull Atlantic Spratt Read More »

Historical

LET’S TALK CREAM AND DEXTERS

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Here is an interesting article from a fellow Dexter milker, Michele Parsley. Real facts about how it varies and why. Don’t forget, some of our cream stays behind and never completely separates, making two incredible products, cream and still some pretty creamy milk for drinking or making something else. Celebrate your Dexter milk and cream!

https://www.mountainheritagefarm.com/blog/cream-variation

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Milking & Dairy

No Udder, No Cow!

Atlantic Alison Showing off an Exceptional Udder

The old saying “No feet, no cow” is a phrase that denotes the importance of a cow’s ability to walk. Without good feet there can be no cow to stand on them, thus causing peril to the health of the cow. No Udder, no cow could be a similar maximum, denoting the importance of the cow’s udder. Without a good functioning udder, a cow cannot fulfill her role to nourish a calf or humans thus degrading her value as a cow. Not every Dexter needs an udder like Atlantic Alison, but the quality of a Dexter cow is tied up in the function and quality of her udder.

Scale of Points taken from the 1900 English Standard

This scale of points as seen above, is the first scale of points written for Dexter cattle and the most authoritative in breed history. It makes it clear what values can be attributed to a Dexter cow. As you can see udder traits are very important to the Dexter breed. There is no room in the Dexter breed for cows with truly bad udders, as it’s not agreeable to the standard scale of points. So, you see, 40% of a Dexter cows value of points is wrapped up in the quality of her udder, where only 25% goes for her body. That 25% is not just shortness or depth alone but “body, top line, under line, ribs, setting of tail, shortness of leg &c.” The point is cows with good udders are very important to the breed. A cow that lacks valuable udder points would scale very low as a Dexter in general. A cow that is not perfectly short could still score quite high as a Dexter if all other traits were ideal. A short Dexter with a bad udder would easily be beat by a taller Dexter with good conformation and an excellent udder.

No Udder, No Cow! Read More »

Historical

From Freezer Camp to the Milk Pail: Maggie’s Story

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How “Accidental” Breeding Created a Little Black Cull Heifer that Turned into One of the Best Milk Cows in the World…

The year was 2015, and I had never touched a cow before buying one. I had read every book I could find and devoured countless online articles about cattle, but I had absolutely zero real-life cattle experience. Still, I knew one thing for certain: I wanted a milk cow. That single desire was all the motivation I needed to bring home my first Dexter cow, Cassandra, in March of that year.

Cassandra—quickly nicknamed MooMa—was due to calve soon, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her living alone for three months. Cattle are herd animals, after all, and MooMa needed a companion. Our budget was tight, so I bought a wild little black cull heifer named Maggie She wasn’t registered because her dam had been bred by a “steer” that had retained one testicle when he had been banded. Maggie was also A1A1 milk, which at the time was a big deal for us so we had no intention of keeping her long-term. Her future, as far as we were concerned, involved freezer camp.

Maggie arrived already overwhelmed. Shortly before coming to our farm, she had been vaccinated, dehorned, weaned, and then hauled to a new home with complete strangers. By the time she stepped off the trailer, she was terrified. Kevin and I stood watching in horror as Maggie calmly stepped between two strands of hot wire as if they didn’t exist—and just like that, she was gone.

MooMa, older and steadier, began calling for her. Before long, Maggie came trotting back, stepping right between the wires again as though that was perfectly normal. We quickly added a third strand of wire and spent the next week wondering what on earth we had gotten ourselves into.

Maggie wouldn’t let us within fifty feet of her. Her fear seemed contagious, and soon MooMa didn’t trust us either. Time was ticking. I had just three months to turn MooMa into a milk cow. So every day—sometimes multiple times a day—I went out and simply sat in the pasture with them. Cattle are naturally curious. At first, they’d freeze and stare at me, clearly hoping that if they didn’t move, I wouldn’t notice them. But it didn’t take long for them to learn I wasn’t there to hurt them—and that I usually brought treats. Before long, my pasture visits became something all three of us looked forward to.

On June 10, 2015, MooMa gave birth to a little red bull calf we named Liberty. Five days later, I began milking her. The next nine months were a steep learning curve for both of us. I’d love to say she milked like a dream, but the truth is… quite the opposite. That story, however, is for another blog post.

When it came time to rebreed MooMa, my AI technician talked me into breeding Maggie as well. She had grown into a lovely little heifer and could, at the very least, provide us with beef. She was still mostly wild—nearly all my effort had gone into training MooMa—but Maggie didn’t need to be tame to reproduce, so we went ahead and bred her.

Throughout her pregnancy, Maggie came to the barn every single day. She stood quietly, watching me freequently dodge kicks and often times fight for every drop of milk from MooMa. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Maggie wasn’t just waiting for her “big sister” to finish—she was studying.

Fast forward several months. MooMa calved her second calf just days before Maggie had her first. Once again, I began milking MooMa, and once again, Maggie watched and waited.

Four days after Maggie calved, I walked into the barn expecting my usual routine and instead found Maggie standing squarely in the milk stanchion. She refused to leave. Waving my arms, yelling like a crazed person—nothing fazed her. Finally, exasperated, I looked at her and said, “Well, Maggie, I guess you’re going to be a milk cow today.” Fully expecting her to spook and bolt, I slammed my milk bucket loudly beneath her. She didn’t move. I washed her udder. Still nothing. When I finally grabbed a teat and squeezed, Maggie sucked in her gut and stood like a seasoned professional. No treats. No headgate. No kicks. No tantrums. This little black cull heifer wanted to be a milk cow.

Dexters are notorious for holding back their hind milk unless the calf is nursing. I’ve long accepted this and simply train calves to nurse on one side while I milk the other. But Maggie is different. She gives me everything she makes, trusting me to leave enough for the one thing she loves more than anything—her calf. When it’s time to wean, she handles it herself, yet she still comes to the barn every day, eager to be milked.

One year, while transitioning Maggie from a fall calving schedule to a spring schedule, I milked her for 380 days straight. In my book, that makes her a Super Cow. Maggie remained a cherished milk cow at MooShine Ridge for many years—a living reminder that sometimes the animals we least expect to keep are the ones who teach us the most.

About the Author:

Kimberly Jepsen is the heart behind MooShine Ridge in Vinita, Oklahoma, where she and her husband, Kevin, have been raising dual-purpose Dexter cows since 2015. Their little farm store is a labor of love, offering Dexter beef, raw milk, and artisan cheeses made from their own cows. Kimberly has a deep passion for the Dexter breed and loves nothing more than sharing what she’s learned over the years—whether it’s guiding fellow farmers, helping newcomers discover the joys of small-scale farming, or simply introducing people to the rich, creamy flavors of her handcrafted cheeses. For her, farming isn’t just a business—it’s a way to nurture animals, the land, and the community she cares about. https://mooshineridge.com/

From Freezer Camp to the Milk Pail: Maggie’s Story Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Is Your Dexter Udder Hairy?

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Let’s face facts. Some of our Dexter gals have some pretty hairy udders. All that hair is not something we want if we are trying to milk them and provide a clean product.
I use these handy dandy scissors pictured below, but some folks also use electric clippers, as in the short video below.

What ever method you choose, make sure you do it, it makes cleaning the udder sooo much easier!

Is Your Dexter Udder Hairy? Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Historically looking at the Dexter milk properties!

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Many may not know that the Dexter at one time was known to have milking properties of equal merit as the Kerry, a known dairy breed, though they are a dual-purpose breed. Mr. R Tait Robertson was to of said ” The milking properties of both breeds may be said to be of about equal merit”. Who is R. Tait Robertson? He is the son of James Robertson, of whom bred or collected a large portion of the foundation Dexters sold to England and other places. He was an influential breeder. For an interesting photo reference of the amazing similarities of Dexter and Kerry cattle see Aicme Check (Dexter cow) and Greenah Florah 2nd (Kerry cow). I did not have to hunt far and wide to find examples that looked closely related. All I had to do is go to the 1901 Herd book and find the only available photos of an example Kerry and Dexter cow. And by the way note the classic white Dexter udder marking on the Kerry cow as this was a common Kerry trait feature too. Nose to nose as you can see in the photo comparison they do look quite alike.

Historically looking at the Dexter milk properties! Read More »

Historical

Pasteurization …The History Behind it.

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Pasteurization is a personal choice! This history behind is interesting. Seems like the movement now is for smaller homestead dairies, selling to local folks. Give a listen, she gives many perspectives!

Pasteurization …The History Behind it. Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Need Help Pricing Your Dairy Products? By Sunstone Orchard & Rabbitry.

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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

  1. Butter
    • 1 gallon of milk = ~2 cups cream.
    • 2 cups cream → ~¾ lb butter + 1 cup buttermilk.
    • That means ~1 lb butter takes about 2.5–3 gallons of milk.
    • If 1 gallon milk = $15, then just the milk input for 1 lb butter = $37–$45.
    🧀Suggested price: $20–$25 per pound (raw, small-batch butter often runs $20–$30/lb at farmstands).
  2. Buttermilk
    • Byproduct of butter.
    • Costs are “covered” by the butter pricing, so you can sell it lower.
    🧀Suggested price: $5–$6 per quart.
  3. Cream
    • A gallon of milk gives ~1 pint of cream, varies with breed/feed/individual cow.
    • That pint of cream “costs” the $15 you could have gotten for selling the whole gallon.
    🧀Suggested price: $12–$15 per pint raw cream is a premium item and can be scarce.
  4. Yogurt
    • 1 gallon milk makes ~1 gallon yogurt.
    • Plus starter and incubation, but not much shrinkage.
    🧀Suggested price: $15–$18 per gallon, or $5–$6 per quart, slightly higher than milk since it’s value-added.
  5. Cheeses
    • Yields vary a lot:
    • Fresh cheeses, chevre, queso fresco, paneer: ~1 lb cheese per gallon milk.
    • Aged/harder cheeses: ~1 lb cheese per 10 gallons milk.
    🧀Suggested pricing:
    • Fresh cheese: $15–$20/lb.
    • Aged cheese: $50–$80/lb since the yield is tiny and aging takes space/labor.

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 & Dairy

Dexters ARE Irish and Proud of It

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Where ever they roam Dexters are Irish and Proud Of It!

Dexters are well known as Irish Dexters even if many other points about them are debated. The above bull though registered with the Dexter Cattle Society is an Irish Dexter with a “fine type and constitution” as the article states. I checked, he certainly was owned and breed by Mr. W. Lindsay Everard of Ratcliffe. This article holds true to the fact that Dexters are known to be of a small type of cattle. That very small cattle were known to roam Ireland before “Mr. Dexter” was ever penned in History. In Kerry there was known to be some of the smallest type of cattle one can imagine, long before Dexters were ever established or organized into a true breed. So small of an animal that it is mentioned in this paragraph, but yet still producing 2 gallons of milk a day is a marvel indeed. The brown article was written on 14 Nov 1929, it’s from the Western Daily Press Bristol. The picture was taken from a later newspaper published in 1930. Though the Dexter was well known to produce ample milk and was “closely allied to the Kerry breed and very similar to it in general appearance.” The differences being that “Dexters are “more stoutly built and rounder in their contours”.

The Dexter has a “stronger head than the Kerry, but very clear cut, shorter below the eyes and broader at the muzzle”. The description of her horns are as follows ” Her horns are thicker and usually after rising upwards bend backwards towards the points”. It is interesting to note that she is even fleshier than the Kerry but was thought to look a better milker than the Kerry. Short cows with large udders seem to showcase the udder in a much more extreme way than a longer legged cow though the udder could be of the same size. The article really goes on to highlight the excellent milking attributes of a Dexter to great lengths. A point worth mentioning is that “there is hardly a prettier sight than a herd of Dexters grazing in a park”. I personally can’t help but look out at my hills and know this rings true to me today, just as much as it must have to the writer of this article in the past! Dexters truly are practical and beautiful when bred for all these amazing Historical traits!

Breeders have long been concerned with breeding to “type” and a few points to mention in this last photo that align with the Standard Description of a Dexter is the color being “Whole black or whole red”. The “Head short and broad” with “great width between the eyes”, and “tapering gracefully twords the muzzle. Dexters definetley impress with their specific beautiful traits and charming ways which took hold of many a wealthy land owner who could aford to buy any exotic cattle they chose. In conclusion Dexters and their “pretty little calves are very fascinating”! They are Irish and Proud of it and those of us who breed them, have been taken by their Irish Charms.

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Historical

Lying out all winter long, Getting nothing more than what they can pick up and a small portion of hay Night and Morning.

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Dexters have long been hailed as hardy and thrifty even adaptable to locations from Africa to snow laden areas. This article I am sharing was written by R. Tait Robertson; he was a famous and most influential Dexter breeder for his day. He was not just any armature Dexter owner, since he was a foundational breeder of Dexter cattle and a generational farmer. He explained that” I have on my farm over 100 of them (Dexters) lying out at present, and they will continue so all winter, getting nothing beyond what they can pick up and a small portion of hay night and morning”. What this means is that Original Dexters could get by on just a little, but of course they could thrive on even more. It was often said that when the Dexters of Ireland went to the manor lands of England they grew greater in size due to the surplus. Dexters can do well on just forage and hay alone with no grain needed. They can excel on the best rations and produce even more, but if times get tough, they can more than get by.

Who was R. Tait Robertson?

Mr. Roberston was a very influential breeder, breeding in Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland. His family later had Church Farm in Babraham, Cambridge. His Dexters were esteemed as quality and were very sought after by the English who wished to keep them. He is the son of James Robertson. They were not just multigenerational farmers but multi-generational Dexter farmers who helped shape Dexters in their early years by breeding and selection. Dexters as we know them then owed a great degree of tribute to this influential family. Mr. R. Tait Robertson was also a judge for Kerry and Dexter cattle. He judged them by the merit that this article speaks to. Someone may say that Dexters are a beef breed that can milk, but Mr. R Tait Robertson said they have “equal merit” to Kerry cattle. They were not transformed in England to a milking breed but rather selected and bred by breeders like the Robertsons for great dual-purpose traits and were heavy in exceptional dairy traits. When R. Tait Robertson speaks to their equal merit remember that he was a judge for both Kerry and Dexter cattle and those judges gave prizes and entered both Kerry and Dexter cattle into the foundation herd books for the Royal Dublin Society. Dexters are not, nor have they ever been a beef breed that can be milked, but rather a dual-purpose breed with equal merit in milking traits to an ancient breed of dairy cattle (Kerry cattle) that can excel at grass-based feeding.

Lamancha Dexter Herd

Mr. R. Tait Robertson was the owner and or collector of the cattle in the La Mancha Herd. He or his family may not have bred them all but rather selected some as foundational cattle for the Dexter breed. You will often see La Mancha Dexters registered to him, his father or Robertsons and sons. His Dexters traveled to many countries and those Dexters that could be found “Lying out all winter long, getting nothing more than what they can pick up and a small portion of hay Night and Morning” run in the veins of our Dexters today. This article I shared was written on 16 December 1899 and La Mancha Love Lost was born in 1897. She was qualified by inspection most likely by Mr. R. Tait Robertson and would have spent time in his field while this article was written. It’s nice to think of such a beautiful cow lying out in your pasture all winter long, getting nothing more than what she can pick up and a small portion of hay night and morning then still looking so beautiful! That’s the kind of Dexter I want.

Lying out all winter long, Getting nothing more than what they can pick up and a small portion of hay Night and Morning. Read More »

Historical

The Dexter: The SmallHolder’s Cow

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Great for Small Acreage

Dexters have long been promoted the same way time and time again, “Docile and Hardy little cattle, dubbed the smallholder’s cow because of their ability to exist on about half the acreage of other cattle.” This is the niche market of a Dexter. They are well suited to beginners because they can endure a bit of accidental neglect from new owners and be a great fit for people who have small acreage. Today when large acreage is becoming increasingly expensive in many areas, but people are feeling a strong draw to get back to the country, the small acreage Dexter cow is the most perfect sell point. This is a Hallmark of the breed and one that should be promoted.

Quality and Quantity of their Milk and Beef

Dexter cattle are also a good fit for people who need a smaller amount of both meat and milk, but yet they are still “renowned for the quality and quantity of their milk, second only in butterfat content to the famous jersey, and for small lean beef joints of excellent flavor”. There are other breeds than Jersey that outperform Dexters in cream content but usually they are not breeds that produce a good quantity of milk. The Highland for instance produces about 10% butterfat, but for its larger size produces quite a bit less by volume for its size. This is why the Dexter is an all-around great little cow.

Great for Small and Big families alike

The current average amount of people in a US family today is 3.15, so in a small 3-person household butchering a Dexter steer goes a very long way. As Dexter beef producers we will have a much easier time selling whole or halves to people. This avoids having to get a USDA certified meat facility which in some areas could save you more money on butchering costs. Many people are more accustomed to the idea of buying meat in a smaller quantity when they need or want it. With smaller sides you can market to people to be able to only fill a portion of their chest freezer and have space left over for other things. If you have a larger family that enjoys eating lots of beef and drinking more milk, no problem, enjoy the benefit of growing out a larger herd with more Dexters!

This article was written 09 July 1992, and you will see the addition of dun is mentioned to the original color of black and red. Dun was added to the allowable Dexter colors and today many people never knew that black and red are the only 2 original colors.

Written By Danielle of Bryn Mawr

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Historical

Man vs Machine When Milking a Cow

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I believe that you should learn to hand milk your Dexters and other dairy animals. For me the journey was to master hand milking. I moved on to a machine after I was milking several Nubians and Dexters. My body was telling me I needed help.
I have never regretted this, as you have to strip out after the machine and I am prepared for days with no power.
Here is a podcaster from the Family Milk Cow and her perspective.

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Milking & Dairy

Preserving Irish Dexter Dairy and Beef

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By Eliena Bodtke, Stay’N Put Farm

Since many of us are homesteaders or practice some kind of preserving, I thought I would take a moment to discuss an alternative to canning, pressure canning and dehydrating. 

 Are you scratching your head, thinking where is she going with this?

Consider freeze drying.  While the initial cost seems daunting, it really is an excellent way to preserve your Dexter milk, yogurts, cheeses, colostrum and beef for 25 YEARS!  Think about when you’re over loaded with one veggie or another during gardening season.  The veggies, herbs or eggs when they are abundant, can be frozen and put into the freeze dryer anytime.  We still can and pressure can, but this gives us a  whole new option.  

We purchased a medium Harvest Right about a year and half ago and have been amazed at all the things we can preserve….it is less time consuming and in our opinion, and better quality product in many cases.

Canning of dairy is frowned upon by the USDA and in some cases consider unsafe, although people do it.  Freeze drying on the other hand, processes the dairy at lower temperatures and therefore does not pasteurize it…so if raw is your goal, it is good alternative.  If you pasteurize, you still follow the same method.  We pour a quart of milk on each tray and let the machine do its thing.  We have done it both with cream in and cream out…the choice is yours.  We find it needs to be blended when reconstituted, or another favorite is dry in our coffee, just like coffee creamer!

If you’re into selling, freeze dried milk and other products can be a good source income.  Take a look at the price of powdered milk in the store!  It is not uncommon to see freeze dried milk for $30-40 a gallon.  Let’s clarify this.  One gallon of freezer dried milk reconstituted into one gallon of drinkable milk…almost quadruples in price.

And don’t forget your Dexter beef!  Consider this scenario….you have some cuts left from your last processing and you would really like to eat it before you get into the next one.  Well, freeze dry it and then you have preserved it for 25 years.  It makes great gifts, as it is so light to ship.

How do you use this freeze dried beef?  We like to pour some of our Dexter  bone broth over it.  Let it sit in refrigerator over night and then use it in the next day or so.  The beef will only absorb as much broth as it can.  It doesn’t get mushy, which can happen with veggies.  Cook with it like you usually do.

Hope this article helps you on your farm, ranch or homestead.  I just love this technology and thought I would share.

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Beef Milking & Dairy

The Dual Purpose Dexter And The Kerry History

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How much dairy should we put in to a Dual purpose Dexter cow. If you were to consult the English herd books they would say 40 percent for the “Bag” with the remaining percents being 15 for the “Head and neck”, 25 for the “Body, top line, under-line, ribs, setting of the tail, shortness of the leg, ect.”, 10 for “Quality and Touch” and 10 for “Colour”. So 40 points goes to the quality of the udder while 25 points gets divided up between the “Body, top line, under-line, ribs, setting of the tail, shortness of the leg, ect.”. It seems to me that in Dexters the focus today tends to fall primarily on mostly two aspects alone: shortness of leg and body type with general conformation coming in at the end. Even with 3 aspects it only accounts for 25 points for a Dexter. So there is a hyper focus on 25 % of a Dexter while the 40 percent in often neglected. The length of a cow’s leg and it’s depth are not the only traits that define a Dexter. Of course, we can’t forget the other traits that almost no one talks about, the “Head and neck”. You don’t get much meat off a head but it adds a distinct breed defining trait to a cattle type to set them apart.

It’s interesting to note that Kerry cattle that became a distinct dairy breed separated from the dual-purpose Dexter also list 40 points for the udder. The only difference is that more details are mentioned about the bag, “Udder, size, situation of teats, milk veins and escutcheon”.
Now before major concern sets in, consider that this point system is based on an ideal cow. There will always be cows in a breed that are not ideal, but the goal is to breed for the ideal cow. If you look at the 3 pictures of Kerry cattle, I will share you will see that Walton Bashful is listed as ideal and her udder is the best of the three cows shown. I’d say if an udder is ideal enough for a Kerry it can likewise be good enough for a Dexter that uses the same 40 percent system. Of course, there is no problem with having an even better udder than this cow does! The next Kerry is Valencia Eileen III. You will immediately see that she could improve on her forward attachment, but she was a Kerry all the same. The final cow is Ard Caeina Una. You will see she has some attachment issues, and you will tell that her udder is hanging lower by her hocks. The placement of her teats are too close and awkward but they were still put to use, as you will see by reading her milk record. Her yield 14,562 lbs with her butterfat at 4.33 percent. Still a valuable Kerry cow. With Dexters we need to seek generational improvement in dairy traits as Dexter’s udder points are just important as Kerry cattle, but we also need to remember that improvement is generational and culling cows with good production and butterfat won’t instantly fix a problem. It could lead us to a breed full of cows with very tight nonproductive udders just because new people think a tight looking udder is an aesthetically pleasing udder.

The Dual Purpose Dexter And The Kerry History Read More »

Historical

How to Get Your Product Into Grocery Stores

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Grocery stores are a great way to put your business into overdrive, giving customers new options in ever-fashionable packaging. Whether you are looking to sell at local convenience stores or big-box wholesale grocers, it presents the perfect opportunity for your product.

Interested in learning more about how to get your product into grocery stores? In this ultimate guide, Mako PKG takes you through the whole process from start to finish.

READ MORE

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Selling

Dexters are a TOP-RANKING DUAL-PURPOSE BREED

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Dexters may only rank 5 in this dual-purpose breed list, but when you consider their size, they come out as number one for the small farm. Practical and versatile in being great for beef and milk. Often times people consider Dexters mini cattle, but the whole breed is naturally small with some individuals being extra small. It is interesting to note that Dexters make the list even though they are small in size and no one can discredit them for their diminutive size as though they are nothing more than a toy breed as they hold their own with the big boys.

Click the link below to read the article

Dual-Purpose Cattle Breeds for Milk and Meat – World Deer

Dexters are a TOP-RANKING DUAL-PURPOSE BREED Read More »

Beef

DID YOU KNOW AN INSTANT POT CAN PASTEURIZE YOUR RAW MILK?

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Not everyone is comfortable with consuming raw milk. No need to buy an expensive pasteurizer if you have an instant pot in your kitchen. This article covers a few ways of doing pasteurization in your home. It can be done even if you don’t have the yogurt button, but it definitely makes it easier if yours does.

Everything To Know About Instant Pot Pasteurize

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Milking & Dairy

MILK LET DOWN – HINTS AND TRICKS

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For the first time milker or the heifer that is getting milked for the first time, there are some important things to remember for success. The article below goes over some of the basics.

We have, thankfully, only had a few that were very stubborn. We found that putting the calf in front of the cow, so she can see it helps…but when nothing works…we have reverted to letting the calf nurse one side for a short time. I do say short time, as they can drain their moms with amazing speeds.

I have included photos of our calf let down gate to give you some ideas that have worked for us. You can see the calf thru the little gate on the first photo. On the second photo you see the pulley. When we need to use this system…which we thankfully have only had to a few times, we tie a rope the the gate, un hook the bungee, feed the rope thru the pulley and the whole gate goes up and down so we can quickly drop it once mom starts to let down.

The Role of Predictability and Calm Handling in Milk Letdown

MILK LET DOWN – HINTS AND TRICKS Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Milk dispensers in Germany…interesting …wonder what breeds of cattle are behind this.

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In Germany, a new wave of farm-to-table convenience is flowing through vending machines — quite literally. Across rural towns and even urban neighborhoods, you’ll find self-serve milk vending machines that dispense fresh, unprocessed milk straight from local farms. Open 24/7, these machines let customers refill their own bottles with creamy, cold milk at any time of day, reducing packaging waste and shortening the distance between farm and consumer.

Typically placed at the edge of dairy farms, village centers, or community markets, these vending machines are restocked daily with milk collected directly from the cows. Customers simply insert a coin or swipe a card, place their bottle under the nozzle, and watch as fresh milk fills it up — often still warm from the morning’s milking, or chilled for instant use.

Many stations also provide reusable glass bottles for purchase, encouraging zero-waste habits. Some even display details about the farm, the cows’ diet, and the time of last milking — giving full transparency in a world often disconnected from food sources.

These milk stations are more than just a novelty — they’re a return to tradition with a modern twist. By cutting out the middlemen and minimizing processing, Germany’s milk vending machines support small farmers, reduce emissions, and give people access to wholesome, local dairy with the push of a button.

Credit: Organic living

Milk dispensers in Germany…interesting …wonder what breeds of cattle are behind this. Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Mastitis …while not common in Dexters an ounce of prevention can go a long way.

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” The disease can be treated with antibiotics and supportive measures. The mastitis can be prevented by taking adequate measures like maintaining udder hygiene, sanitation of the cow barn, clean food and water supplement, and maintaining a milking schedule.”

If you are looking for a more holistic approach, there is another article in the Gazette about homeopathy and mastitis.

Mastitis in Cows: Causes, Types, Treatment, Prevention and Control

Mastitis …while not common in Dexters an ounce of prevention can go a long way. Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Feta dip from cows milk feta…easy and quick!

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This was fabulous…while I made it with goats milk…I could have made it with Dexter milk, but I had it already made from goat.

Don’t skip the rinsing or it will be too salty

Sure to impress you with chips, pita, sourdough bread…….

I use a version of the recipe below to make feta as well….bon appetite!

https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/1273-whipped-feta-dip

https://cheesemaking.com/products/feta-cheese-making-recipe

Feta dip from cows milk feta…easy and quick! Read More »

Homesteading

Perceived value ….true for dexter milk, beef and breeding stock

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A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE:

A customer asked me how much it would cost for a gallon of raw milk .

I gave them a price of $15/gallon.

The customer responded: That’s seems really high.

I asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this?

The customer answered: $4 maximum

I responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.

The customer answered: I don’t know how to.

I responded: Alright, then how about for $4/gallon, I’ll teach you how to. So besides saving you $11, you’ll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.

The customer answered: Sounds good! Let’s do it!

I responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some things. You will need a cow (≈$3000), 45# of dry matter quality feed A DAY, feeders, waterers, an area to let her be a cow, a shelter, a clean area to milk, a milking machine or supplies to hand milk into, preferably electricity for this indoor area and heated water, countless gallons of water, fencing to contain this cow, etc.
Not to mention, there is a very real possibility that your single cow gets sick and doesn’t produce, a bull or someone to AI her because no pregnancy, no milk. Injury, illness, and unexpected weather conditions are always present. Now, you are back to square 1 if she doesn’t breed, dries up, get sick, or dies.

The customer answered: But I don’t have any of those things and I can’t justify buying all of these for a gallon of milk.

I responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $11/gallon, I can rent my supplies, building, and supply hay/grain/minerals/pasture to you.

The customer answered: Okay. That’s fair.

I responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday.

The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends.

I responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. We milk everyday, 2x day, so you will need to be here at least 2 hours every morning and every night year round.

The customer answered: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice a lot of my time!

I responded: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.

The customer answered: What do you mean by that?

I responded: Milking a cow doesnt just take a couple hours morning and night. It takes time to muck out her area, town trips to pick up cleaning supplies/teat dip, trucking for hay. It takes time to bottle the milk cleanly, it takes jars, it takes more cleaning of equipment and facility, it takes wear and tear on your milking equipment and feeding equipment. And thats all on top of your other chores/responsibilities.
So we will see you Monday morning, 6 am.

The customer answered: At 6am?!! My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am!

I responded: A cow thrives on a set schedule, milking 2x day should be as close to 12 hours apart as can be, so if you want to start later, that’s ok. But you will need to come back in the evening after your full day of work and milk again at that time, so if you want to start at 8 am, you will milk again at 8 pm. After clean up and bottling milk… you can head home around 10 pm. Saturday and Sunday included. Blizzards or 100 F. No days off here.

The customer answered: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to quality food than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $15/gallon is very reasonable. I would like you to milk and have it ready for me to just pick up..

CONCLUSION:

When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether it’s a physical project or digital project or GROWING AND RAISING FOOD) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:

✔️ Knowledge
✔️ Experience
✔️ Custom Skills
✔️ Tools
✔️ Time to plan
✔️ Time to prepare
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Work Ethic
✔️ Excellence
✔️ Discipline
✔️ Commitment
✔️ Integrity
✔️ Taxes
✔️ Licenses
✔️ Sacrifices
✔️ Liabilities
✔️ Insurance

If you desire fresh, healthy, locally grown food, please don’t disrespect a farmer by trying to get them to lower their prices.

If their proposal exceeds your budget, there’s nothing wrong with going elsewhere.

Just remember.. you get what you pay for.

👉🏼 FARMERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.

👉🏼 CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.

Sharing this to support all my friends, family and clients who are Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Tradesman.

-Unknown and edited

Perceived value ….true for dexter milk, beef and breeding stock Read More »

Selling

Reproduction and AI, by Kim May of the Facebook group The Science Of Owning Dairy cattle.

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REPRODUCTION AND AI

For those interested in learning more about the bovine reproductive cycle and how we manipulate it, here is a basic summary.

Bovine Estrous Cycle Physiology

The bovine estrous cycle typically consists of 21 days, plus or minus a few days in each direction. Estrus is the period where the cow is receptive to the male or in a standing heat (not to be confused with estrous). Estrus (or heat) typically lasts around 20 hours. Signs of estrus include vocalizing, standing to be mounted, clear discharge from the vulva, increased activity, etc. During the period of estrus, progesterone is low and estrogen is high. Luteinizing hormone (LH for short) also increases during estrus and is the hormone that initiates ovulation. Ovulation is the release of an ovum or egg from the ovary. Ovulation actually occurs 10-15 hours after the end of estrus, in a period called metestrus. Metestrus lasts 3 to 5 days. During this period, an early corpus luteum (CL) is also forming. So where did this CL come from? It came from ovulation! When the ovary releases an egg, the left over structure on the ovary becomes the CL. During metestrus, you may notice a slightly bloody discharge from her vulva. Progesterone is still low during this period but it is starting to rise. The growing CL is actually what is producing the progesterone, and as it grows in size and maturity will be able to produce more progesterone.
As the CL continues to mature, we enter the phase of diestrus. At this point progesterone is high and this period lasts about 12 days.
Next up is proestrus. At this point in the cycle, the CL is regressing and progesterone is decreasing. Estrogen and LH do not like progesterone. They cannot increase until progesterone is low which is why they are increasing at this point as the CL is regressing. Estrogen and LH are increasing and getting the egg on the ovary ready to be released. Then the cycle starts all over again with estrus!
So basically, during heat LH initiates the egg to be released and the leftovers become a structure called a CL that produces progesterone. That CL will grow and produce more progesterone but will eventually fade away. This allows estrogen and LH to increase again and produce another egg.
In order to maintain a pregnancy, there must be a functioning CL. The high progesterone from the CL is what keeps the fetus from being aborted for the first few weeks.

Disclaimer: This is a very basic summary on the estrous cycle. There are other things going on (follicular waves, etc.) but in an effort to simplify things this includes only the major details.

Medications used to change the estrous cycle

Using medications to change the estrous cycle is super common. It can be used for synchronizing a herd to breed them at the same time, using a timed AI approach, or implanting embryos.

Lutalyse or PG: This medication lyses or destroys a CL. Because it gets rid of a CL, it also causes progesterone to decrease.

CIDR: This is an intravaginal device with slowly releasing progesterone. This will increase progesterone in the blood and stop LH and estrogen from increasing.

GnRH also known as Fertagyl or Factrel: This causes an LH surge and thus ovulation.

You’ll hear a lot that lutalyse will bring a cow into heat. While this can be true, it depends on where she’s at in the cycle. If it’s during diestrus where she has a mature CL, great! The CL will lyse, estrogen and LH will rise and then ovulation. If she is in metestrus or proestrus, lutalyse will do nothing for a young maturing or a regressing CL and she will not go back into heat any faster.

There’s many different AI protocols and what works best for you will depend on your cow, labor intensity desire, and cost.

Let’s start with AI on a natural heat. There’s a common AM PM rule when it comes to inseminating cattle. The rule basically states that when a cow comes into heat she should be AI’d 12 hours later. So she is in standing heat in morning, then AI in the evening and vice versa. If we think back to the estrous cycle, this makes sense. Estrus lasts about 20 hours and ovulation occurs 10-15 hours after the end of estrus. Cows typically come into standing heat around the middle of estrus. Let’s say hour 10. So then I would AI at hour 22. The cow should ovulate between hours 30 and 35. You don’t want to AI at the time of ovulation because the sperm have to go through a process before they can fertilize an egg. That process takes several hours. Early AI tends to lead to higher quality embryos but less of them for this reason. Whereas later AI can lead to higher chances of embryos but not great quality so lesser chance of an actual pregnancy. How long sperm last depends on the bull, extender used, and sexed vs conventional. Conventional should last about 24 hours. (Although I’ve played around with semen before and have had it last about 3 days in the fridge.) Sexed will last a little less than that so sometimes people with sexed semen will wait more like 16 hours vs 12 to account for that.

For timed AI…

Double ovsynch can be very useful for high producing first lactation dairy cows. It has about a 10% higher conception rate compared to regular ovsynch. That 10% difference is a little bit less as the cow gets older. The difference of double ovsynch from regular ovsynch is that you are presynchronizing the cow prior to AI to make sure she is at the ideal part of her cycle. For older cows, there’s also some evidence that 2 lutalyse injections 24 hours apart increases conception rates. The 2 injections basically make sure the CL is completely regressed. However, cons to the double ovsynch over regular is that it takes twice as long, more labor, and more drugs are used therefore increasing cost.

Ovsynch does not work as well in heifers. For heifers, I’m partial to 5 day CIDR. I included charts for double ovsynch, regular ovsynch, and 5 day CIDR.

For the girls that have a history of being more difficult to breed, I’ll always give a GNRH injection at time of breeding and AI again 12 hours later. I’ll also check the sperm. Just recently got a batch of brand new straws that only had 10% progressive motility.

I know that was a bunch of information to throw at everyone, so if you have any questions feel free to ask

or check out this site, which was used to write this article https://extension.psu.edu/timed-ai-protocols-double-ovsynch

Reproduction and AI, by Kim May of the Facebook group The Science Of Owning Dairy cattle. Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Mentorship

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From Curiosity to Confidence: The Power of Mentorship in Homesteading

When we packed up and moved to a new state, we knew we were signing up for a life of hard work. Beyond that? We were flying blind. With little more than enthusiasm and a Pinterest board full of dreams, we dove headfirst into the world of chickens and ducks. But when it came to dairy animals, I hesitated. I didn’t feel ready. I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

Then came a turning point—what began as a simple search for local raw milk turned into something far more valuable: I found a mentor.

And not just any mentor—the perfect one. Local, experienced, generous with her time and wisdom. I had originally envisioned a milk cow (because let’s be honest, that’s what all the idyllic homestead photos show, right?). But after countless visits to her farm and long, thoughtful conversations about what would actually work for our lifestyle, I started with dairy goats instead.

It’s been a whirlwind ever since.

From panicked texts about what to feed, to late-night worries over a listless goat, she’s been there—steady, supportive, and full of insight. Her guidance has been nothing short of a godsend.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone considering this lifestyle, it would be this: find a mentor. Not just someone who knows their stuff, but someone who cares deeply about what they do—and about helping others succeed.

And here’s the secret: when you invest in quality animals, you often find that mentor built right in. Breeders who truly care about their stock want to see them thrive, even after they leave the farm. That’s where the real relationships begin.

In just four years, I’ve grown more than I ever imagined—not just in skill, but in confidence. Sure, I could have learned it all the hard way. But would I have come this far, this fast? I doubt it.

Mentorship isn’t just helpful in homesteading—it’s essential. It’s the bridge between dreaming and doing.

Foot note….. Lisa and her husband Matt are members of the Irish Dexter Cattlemen and anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first Dexters next month.

Mentorship Read More »

Homesteading

Summer Heat Podcast- How It Affects Our Dexters and Other Livestock

Summer heat this seems endless. We hope that this podcast will help you recognize and help your Dexters deal with this heat. 

This podcast is brought to you by Irish Dexter Cattlemen, whose purpose is to promote the Irish Dexter breed by guiding farmers, ranchers, and homesteaders on how to become more sustainable. You can access all our podcasts of interviews with other farmers and ranchers and discussions on typical subject matters by becoming a member. This includes our entry level membership of $20 per year. Podcasts are stored in our relational multimedia database system and are searchable by topic by members. Members also gain access to a vast array of valuable articles on topics to assist you with your farm, ranch, or homestead. For anyone looking to take it to the next level, Irish Dexter Cattlemen provides breeder, services, and affiliate memberships that include an online branding dashboard where you can tell your story and develop your brand. Thank you for listening to this Irish Dexter Cattlemen podcast.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREE TIPS & TRICKS GUIDE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Brought to you by these Breeders, Affiliates, & Sponsors

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Podcasts

Nutrition and milking by Juliette Albrecht

Juliette is one of the principles behind The Science of Owing Dairy Cattle Facebook group and has opened a consultant group Happy Cow Consulting. https://www.happycowconsulting.org/

Think of a lactating cow’s nutritional demands as a pyramid. The very base consists of fiber, which is the rumen mat. This is grass, or grassy hay. Next is the protein derived from the fiber. Some, like alfalfa, are high in NDF (non detergent fiber) which although great for a protein kick, burns up fast and offers little in the way of actual fiber. Use alfalfa sparingly, and in my opinion, not at all during the first 30 days of her lactation. Not all grass is created equal. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) is high in cellulose and lignin, offering little use for a dairy cow. Knowing what your fiber is can help you adjust the following components. Energy follows that, which is usually corn. Energy is a MUST for a healthy cow. Bypass protein is normally dried distillers (which also filters into the energy class), soybean meal, cottonseed meal etc. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds offer fat and protein. Minerals top the pyramid. Dry Matter Intake (DMI) is where all the water is squeezed out of the feed. This is what remains. A Jersey should be getting around 40 lbs a day, larger breeds such as Swiss and Holstein 50 plus. Fiber is the bulk of that diet, but it cannot be fed alone. The rest of this combination fuels a healthy cow. With that in mind, tomorrow’s post will be explaining the lactation curve, and how feed demands change throughout days in milk. Feel free to ask questions.

Nutrition and milking by Juliette Albrecht Read More »

Milking & Dairy

Chondrodysplasia

Article I

Fact or Fiction

This is the first of our articles on chondrodysplasia in Dexters. Also called chondro-carriers, shorties, or dwarfs. these terms refer to the same cattle, and will be interspersed throughout the article. Keep in mind, they all mean cattle who are carriers of the dwarf gene.

Per Miriam Webster chondro means cartilage & dysplasia is an abnormal growth or development.

It’s a personal decision to breed chondro carrier Dexters. Of course, it’s your decision what to breed on your farm. But, let’s sort out some of the facts on these endearing little cattle.

Some long time breeders have told me that they believe the dwarf Dexters played an instrumental part in the formation of the breed, as the non-chondro, longer legged Dexters got registered in with the Kerry cattle. They also believe that there are two body types in the dwarves. That will be discussed in a later article.

Just a few of the traits and statements that those who own and experience the pleasures of owning a dwarf believe.

  • “Chondros are the breed. If we lose them we lose the breed.”
  • “Maximum beef on minimum forage.”
  • Personalities are one of a kind
  • Great mothers
  • High milk production
  • Great for first time cattle owners
  • Of course, breed responsibly. Never breed two carriers together and you will never get a bulldog calf. (If you did, the chance is only 25%, but why risk it?)

Those that I see exaggerating & spreading the hate for chondro carriers are using human graphics from the internet and applying their own labels. I have found no professional veterinary opinion stating they should be eliminated. Of course, none of those who love them would want or allow them to suffer. Many Dexters I know of are living into their teens. How many commercial breeds do you see living that long?

Some dwarfs will get osteoarthritis later in life. So will some non-chondros. A lot depends on the bloodlines, the terrain they live on and the care they receive. This also applies to the longer legged non-chondros. Humans also tend to get osteoarthritis later in life. They also can get forms of dwarfism. We don’t eradicate them. It can be managed, IF it happens.

So, please…. educate yourself on this genetic mutation, before you make a judgement.

The following is a scientific explanation from UC Davis. We choose the BD1 test, when we get any calves from our carriers. The BD2 test is for a specific line from a specific bull.

READ MORE

Chondrodysplasia Read More »

General Herd Health

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

Choosing the right cow for your homestead Read More »

Homesteading

High Tech solution for making yogurt from the New England Cheesemaking Company.

Clever idea to hold your yogurt at a constant temperature using sous vide!

We love to try different t cooking techniques and have used sous vide for many years with our Dexter steaks. Happy to have found another use for the sous vide immersion circulator. Next thing to try, is using it when making cheese. Thank you New England Cheesemaking Company!

High Tech solution for making yogurt from the New England Cheesemaking Company. Read More »

Milking & Dairy
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