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
Learn how to have 1/2 a cow butchered for your family to get the right cuts
Half a beef, What cuts to request Read More »
Beef Selling
It’s tangy, it’s creamy, and it’s full of active probiotics: it’s kefir! – Submitted by Riley Wohlgemuth
https://www.maplehill.com/post/what-is-kefir-its-health-benefits-history
Why You Should Eat It, and How To Make It – Submitted by Riley Wohlgemuth
Clabber Milk – What It Is Read More »
Milking
There was a Raw Milk Summit in Bon Aqua, TN. Several guest speakers included politicians, local producers and Dr. Ken Berry. This video is of the organizer Dawn Gorham of The Gorham Homestead.
She has an interesting story and message for people who are trying to sell their milk thru herd shares in Tennessee. You will need to check your State Laws, but has some great advice for everyone.
Raw Milk Summit in Tennessee Read More »
Milking
In this podcast, we learn about things we need to consider before we even schedule our meat for processing. Interesting fact is the return on the Dexter is higher than what is stated here. We experience much closer yields to 70% and our carcasses are smaller…so the freezer space issue is not as significant with the larger breeds.
What Do I Need to do Before I Drop off my Meat for Processing? Read More »
Beef PipeDreams
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.
Preserving Irish Dexter Dairy and Beef Read More »
Beef Milking
This the name used to describe chèvre cultured cow milk. Traditionally made chèvre is done with goat milk, but the process can be made with cow and sheep milk also. When made with sheep milk it is called brebis. We have experienced all three and love each of them. Give it a try and see what you think.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BOVRE? Read More »
Milking
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.
DID YOU KNOW AN INSTANT POT CAN PASTEURIZE YOUR RAW MILK? Read More »
Milking
Calling all Beef Breeders!!! For anyone who likes a bit of Beef in their dual-purpose Dexters here’s something for you! Have you ever wondered what the Live weight, the Average daily weight gain of live weight, Weight of dressed Carcass, Percentage of carcass to gross live weight, Weight of loose fat and Weight of hide was on a Dexter Kerry or a Kerry and a Dexter Kerry cross was at the formation of the Royal Dublin Society in 1890? I wish all fields were complete as some are missing but it’s a good start. Well, here are some answers for you, so let’s see how these weights compare today. Comments are welcomed. By the way Tommy Titmouse was an Angus Dexter Kerry cross.
LET’S TALK DEXTER WEIGHTS! Read More »
Historical
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
Feta dip from cows milk feta…easy and quick! Read More »
Homesteading
