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Generalirishdexters
A Plumb Good Dexter Breeder
Dr. Charles Sumner Plumb a very Knowledgable Dexter Breeder
Charles Sumner Plumb was a very accomplished man, not just an influential breeder for Kerry and Dexter cattle, but a man of great learning, who had written books and conducted many studies on farming and livestock. Plumb was born in Massachusetts where he initially went to Massachusetts Agricultural College. His education and studies are extensive but as Dexter breeders we will most likely appreciate him for his influence on The American Kerry and Dexter Cattle Club or latter known as the American Dexter Cattle Association.
Charles Plumb directed experiment stations in Indiana, Tennessee and New York in his work of studying agriculture and farming practices. Once in Indiana he demonstrated his interest in dairy traits and established the Indiana State Dairy Association. It is interesting that the Royal Dublin Society (Irish), The English Dexter Cattle Society and the American Dexter Cattle Society all had founding members that were influential, that had an interest in dairy traits and many seeking to establish dairy records for Kerry and Dexter cattle. In 1902 he became a Professor for The Ohio State University. When you later see Dexters registered you will find that they are being registered with the breeder listed as Ohio State University. When you see Professor Plum being listed in the herd book you will find his location listed as Columbus Ohio, the same location as the Ohio State University where he headed up the Animal Husbandry Department. He may not have a personal herd name appointed to his influence on breeding Dexters, but his hand in the matter is absolutely clear. He was not only the Secretary of the American Kerry and Dexter cattle Club, but the treasurer too. He had a very preserving interest in Kerry and Dexter cattle.
In 1910 Professor Plumb made a search for breeders of both Kerry and Dexter Cattle in America. Less than 20 herds were found, thankfully some of them were larger growing herds. By 1911 a list of Officers was suggested and a very good start was within reach. Charles Plumb even traveled to Ireland, England and Scotland. It is interesting to note that in 1913 Plumb expressed that Kerry and Dexter were not common in England or even Ireland. In Ireland he stated that there were not many outside of the Southwestern Section. This is the location of county Kerry the original famed homeland of Kerry and Dexter cattle. It is alarming to note that by 1920 he concernedly stated that there had been no Kerry cattle registered since 1916. Dexters themselves at that time had extremely low registrations and that publishing a second volume would take years before enough registrations could fill a new volume. With these declining numbers it becomes clear why the American Kerry and Dexter Cattle Club became just the American Dexter Cattle Association over time.
So much more could be said about Professor Plumb, but it is enough to say that he was well received in his profession and appreciated. He held the position Of Professor of Animal Husbandry at the Ohio State University from 1902 to 1931. He only resigned to further conduct studies in animal husbandry. In his life he wrote quite a few books. These works included “Beginnings in Animal Husbandry”, “Biographical Directory of American Agricultural Scientists”, “Indian Corn Culture”, “Judging Farm Animals” and “Types and Breed of Farm Animals”.
Sample Reading from “Judging Farm Animals”
Disqualification for not Conforming to Established Standard
As you can see Plumb like most serious breeders knew that a “Disqualification should be applied to the representative of any breed that does not conform to the established standard” and he was willing to put that in writing, so that others may have the benefit of learning from his knowledge. He valued the Scale of Points for evaluating an animal for perfection. But he would clearly state that no animal is perfect and all animals can be improved upon in some aspect. It is very good to know that Plumb like so many of the founders of Dexters in different countries cared about breed standards for breeding quality Dexter cattle. I hope this may be an inspiration to all who may read it, to keep the standard and breed for quality as Plumb was seeking to do. If you find yourself interested in reading the complete book to get a better understanding, you can find his book on Archive. Judging farm animals : Plumb, Charles S. (Charles Sumner), 1860-1939 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Plumb Hall
Charles Sumner Plumb left his name marked in the History of Dexter and Kerry cattle and on the campus of Ohio State University where Plumb Hall was named in his honor after his death. Today it is still used by the department of Animal Sciences. It is very interesting to consider all of Plumb’s expertise and how men just like him in England and Ireland were establishing the Herd Books, Associations and Societies. These men had their hand in laying the foundations for the breed, gathering pedigreed livestock for herd books, writing detailed descriptions of the breeds and following them, so that people knew what to expect from Kerry and Dexter cattle. It’s a wonderful thing to know our breed was established and promoted by men that were not mere armatures randomly defining terms and organizing registries, but men with the skills to help the breed be better understood.
Thank you for taking time to read my articles. Please do not share these articles without credit being given to Danielle of Bryn Mawr and asking permission to do so.
A Plumb Good Dexter Breeder Read More »
Historical
DEXTER OR JERSEY? CHOOSING THE RIGHT COW FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD.
Interesting joint video on the merits of the two breeds.
DEXTER OR JERSEY? CHOOSING THE RIGHT COW FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD. Read More »
Homesteading
THE AMERICAN KERRY AND DEXTER CATTLE CLUB – BULLETIN 5
Many thanks to Judy Spronaugle for the source of this information.
THE AMERICAN KERRY AND DEXTER CATTLE CLUB – BULLETIN 5 Read More »
Historical
HAVE YOU TRIED THE IRISH DEXTER CATTLEMEN MARKETPLACE…MAYBE YOU SHOULD
WEBSITE WEDNESDAY
This
We are happy to report that there are lot of blue SOLD banners on the listings in the marketplace.
Check them out and notice the first screen shot where you can post your first ad for free.
Feedback from seller and buyers has been great. Write the ad once and then share it with a photo and a link.
Buyers like it because ALL the information is there…pedigree,price, specifics about location and they are able to view it one place,before contacting the the seller.
Sellers like it because by the time they contact you, they have all of the specifics and it’s just a matter of closing the sale and arranging pick up or delivery.
Many have enjoyed their experience so much they have expanded their membership to include more ads, while still enjoying the monthly newsletter and the the gazette…chocked full of podcasts, videos, articles and peer written experiences.
DON’T forget to mark them SOLD …that is our reward for helping you!
Come join us and let us help move things off your farm to another farm or ranch.
https://irishdextercattlemen.com/marketplace/
HAVE YOU TRIED THE IRISH DEXTER CATTLEMEN MARKETPLACE…MAYBE YOU SHOULD Read More »
Selling
BREED COMPARISON….DEXTER VS MINATURE HEREFORD
Who wins the crown? An interesting and fair comparison. I think you know who takes the crown!
BREED COMPARISON….DEXTER VS MINATURE HEREFORD Read More »
Homesteading
Cattle Marketing Podcast – Reach Your Target Market and Boost Profits
Cattle Marketing Podcast - Reach Your Target Market and Boost Profits
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.
Brought to You by These Breeders, Affiliates, & Sponsores
Cattle Marketing Podcast – Reach Your Target Market and Boost Profits Read More »
Podcasts
Designing a Dexter Cattle Operation for Extreme Winter Weather
An Educational Resource for New Dexter Owners
Dexter cattle have a well-earned reputation for being hardy, efficient, and capable of handling conditions that challenge many larger beef breeds. That reputation draws new owners in. It can also quietly set them up for trouble if it leads to the belief that winter preparedness is optional.
It is rarely the Dexter cattle that fail in severe cold.
It is systems.
And occasionally, knees, fingers, and judgment before the second cup of coffee.
This article is written as an educational resource for farm organizations, breed associations, and new Dexter owners who want to build operations that function reliably when winter conditions are at their worst. It blends research-based guidance with practical, on-the-ground experience, because winter does not care how things looked on paper in July.
Understanding Dexter Cattle and Cold Stress
Dexter cattle tolerate cold well due to their dense winter coats, efficient metabolism, and generally lower maintenance requirements. Cold tolerance, however, is not immunity.
Research consistently shows that cattle experience cold stress when environmental conditions force them to burn additional energy to maintain normal body temperature. Wind, moisture, inadequate calories, poor body condition, and limited access to water all accelerate this process. Over time, cold stress can lead to weight loss, suppressed immunity, and reproductive impacts.
Dexters can handle winter.
Winter still has rules.
Preparedness Starts With Farm Design, Not the Forecast
The most difficult winter situations occur when chores become reactive instead of routine. A well-designed farm reduces emergency labor. A poorly designed one forces risky decisions during storms.
Preparedness begins with infrastructure choices made long before the first weather advisory.
Water Infrastructure: Design for Failure, Not Convenience
Water systems are the most common winter failure point on livestock farms.
Water lines do not fail politely, during daylight, or when conditions are mild.
Water lines
- Must be buried below local frost depth, not estimated depth
- Long runs to remote pastures increase freeze risk
- Fewer reliable water points outperform many marginal ones
Hydrants and valves
- Freeze-proof hydrants must be installed correctly with proper drainage
- Gravel beds must remain uncompacted
- Low areas prone to runoff and drifting snow should be avoided
Heated water troughs
- Use livestock-rated heaters only
- Protect wiring from moisture and rodents
- Always plan for power loss
Solar water systems can work well when designed properly, but winter realities must be considered. Battery capacity must account for short daylight hours, panels must shed snow, and output will be reduced during prolonged storms.
A water system that works flawlessly nine months of the year can still become a liability if it requires wrestling frozen hardware in the dark while livestock observe quietly and reconsider their respect for you.
Power Systems: Assume the Grid Will Fail
Winter storms routinely knock out power for days. Generators should be considered core farm safety equipment, not optional upgrades.
They are rarely purchased because everything is going well.
A generator should be capable of supporting:
- Well pumps
- Heated water troughs
- Essential barn lighting
- Minimal equipment needs
Fuel storage should cover multiple days of operation. Electrical layouts should prioritize critical systems and protect wiring and outlets from moisture, snow, and rodents.
Electric Fencing in Winter Conditions
Electric fencing behaves differently in cold weather.
- Grid-powered chargers are vulnerable to outages
- Frozen ground reduces grounding efficiency
- Snow and ice can short fence lines
Solar chargers provide valuable redundancy but must be sized for winter conditions and maintained during snow events.
Frozen ground has very little respect for even the most carefully installed grounding systems.
Redundancy matters more than strength.
Farm Layout and Human Safety
Dexter cattle generally move through snow with impressive confidence.
The person carrying feed across ice often does not, even when wearing boots marketed as “winter rated.”
A winter-ready farm layout:
- Places water, feed, and shelter within safe walking distance
- Avoids slopes and shaded areas that ice over
- Uses natural windbreaks around feeding and watering areas
- Does not rely on vehicles for daily care
Farm layouts designed on pleasant spring afternoons tend to reveal their weaknesses during January wind events.
Feeding and Watering During Extreme Cold
Cold increases energy requirements. Research indicates cattle may require 7–10% more energy for each degree below their lower critical temperature, particularly when wind and moisture are present.
Preparedness includes:
- Staging hay before storms
- Reserving higher-quality forage for calves, seniors, and thin animals
- Reducing unnecessary cattle movement that increases energy loss
Water intake must be monitored closely. Frozen or inaccessible water leads directly to reduced feed intake and increased cold stress.
Human Safety Is Herd Health
Human safety is often discussed last, despite being the single point of failure that immediately compromises animal care.
Dexter cattle may be perfectly comfortable standing in a snowstorm.
The person doing chores is the variable.
Most winter injuries occur due to slips near water sources, fatigue, rushing, or poor visibility. Clothing, lighting, rest, and task consolidation are safety requirements, not luxuries.
Knowing When to Pause
Preparedness includes restraint.
No routine chore improves outcomes when visibility is poor, footing is unsafe, and the operator is one misstep away from becoming the emergency. Calm, consistent care is safer and more effective than heroic effort.
Dexter Cattle Cold Stress Checklist (Quick Reference)
Before the Storm
- Body condition assessed (target BCS 5–6)
- Extra hay staged
- Backup water plan ready
- Generator tested and fueled
- Vulnerable animals identified
During the Storm
- Daily visual health checks
- Feed and water intake monitored
- Ice removed safely
- Shelter use observed
- Human fatigue managed
After the Storm
- Body condition reassessed
- Water systems inspected
- Fencing and shelters checked
- Lessons documented
Dexter cattle are resilient. Winter preparedness is not about proving toughness. It is about designing systems that still work when conditions degrade and the person doing the chores is already tired.
Final Perspective
Dexter cattle are resilient. Farms must be designed to match that resilience.
Extreme winter weather does not test commitment. It tests whether systems were built to function when conditions deteriorate. Preparedness is not bravado. It is making sure that when winter does what winter does, both cattle and caretakers come through it intact.
And preferably upright.
Michele DeVinney Schmoll is a Virginia farm owner at DeVine Farms Quality Dexters. She raises Irish Dexter Cattle and writes from firsthand experience, because farms don’t read instruction manuals. http://www.devinefarms.net/
Author’s Note
This article is written from a practical livestock-owner perspective, informed by university extension research and shaped by real-world experience managing animals during prolonged cold, power outages, and severe winter storms. The intent is not to present idealized systems, but to encourage farm designs and management decisions that reduce risk for both cattle and the people responsible for their care. Preparedness is most effective when it reflects what winter actually demands on the ground.
REFERENCE LITERATURE (CLICKABLE LINKS)
Cold stress basics, winter readiness, and management
1) University of Minnesota Extension — Preparing your cattle for severe winter weather
2) University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) — Feeding Cows for Cold Weather (energy needs vs wind chill; lower critical temp)
3) Virginia Tech / Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) — The Cow-Calf Manager: Extra Energy Needed During Cold Weather (archived newsletter)
4) UNL BeefWatch — Winterizing your cowherd: Managing cows through cold stress
Calves and high-risk groups
5) Virginia Tech / VCE — The Cow-Calf Manager: Cold stress on calves (archived newsletter)
Emergency preparedness and disaster planning resources
6) UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — Emergency Preparedness and Response (hub)
7) UC Davis Emergency Preparedness & Response — Resources page (includes livestock disaster preparedness links) https://response.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/resources
Optional (useful supporting reading for farm org audiences)
8) West Virginia University Extension — Lingering effects of cold stress (weather + animal factors) https://extension.wvu.edu/agriculture/livestock/beef-cattle/lingering-effects-of-cold-stress
Designing a Dexter Cattle Operation for Extreme Winter Weather Read More »
Farm Management
THE AMERICAN KERRY AND DEXTER CATTLE CLUB BULLETIN FOUR
From Judy Sponaugle
THE AMERICAN KERRY AND DEXTER CATTLE CLUB BULLETIN FOUR Read More »
Historical
DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK – PART III
Buy the cattle. How often in life do you just do something that you later think, what the heck did I do? Roll the dice and see what comes up. That wasn’t me. I thought it over. I had a plan. When you have a plan, it always works. At least I try to convince myself of that.
I had the land. 40 acres of woods and pasture. My dream come true. A small turnout attached to the horse stables within spitting distance of a 3 acre pasture. The turnout has 4 rail iron fencing and the pasture has 3 strands of electric wire. The perfect place, in my mind, for my new Dexter cattle.
I had read, multiple times, that Dexter cattle are easy on the land. Smaller, lighter, and easy grazers. A cow per acre, I should be golden. Start small and grow.
Electric fencing, for me, was a nonstarter. I get it. The cattle respect it when trained. It is cheaper than other alternatives and easy to install. One small problem. I don’t like getting shocked. If I don’t like it, my cattle sure as heck won’t.
As a teenager, my cousin, Kevin, and I were raccoon hunting in my Pappy’s woods. Let me amend that. We were chasing our coon dogs through the woods who were chasing deer. The raccoons were very safe.
Kevin announced that he had to take a potty break. It was dark and I pointed my head lamp on anything but Kevin. I heard him yell and fall backwards directly into several thorn bushes. Not knowing what to think I shined my light on him seeing laying down with his pants at his ankles. Kevin was yelling, “I got shocked! I got shocked!”
He peed on an electric fence. Lesson learned. I don’t like electric fences.
But it was November. I won’t put the Dexters on the pasture until the spring anyway. I can buy the cattle and keep in my turnout. I can use the stables in the winter to keep them warm. I can remove the electric fence in the spring and install a new fence. It can’t be much more expensive. That should work. Plan was taking shape. Buy the cattle.
As soon I called, I knew. I found a website of a seller that was relatively close to where I lived. Looked genuinely wholesome, and in this day and age, you never know. I gave them a call. I didn’t know it then, but I say it proudly now, that is when I first spoke to very nice people who I will later call my mentors. If you are new, find one. There are people out there who share the same thoughts, and have experienced it before, who are willing to engage and assist. Take calls from you while you are on your cell phone standing in the pasture, staring at a cow saying what the heck just happened and what do I do now.
I, my wife, and Bear, my beloved dog, were invited to their farm. In fairness to my dog, I don’t know who is more attached, the dog or me. Both of us have a lot of sticky velcro on us. I am happy with either description.
It helps seeing the farm and the environment that the cattle are being raised in. I had decided that the cattle I wanted were cattle that were well taken care of, loved, not horned, and docile. All of those, of course, are a personal preference. After leaving, my wife told me that we just bought some cattle, though the check had not been written. She was correct.
My mentors delivered Bitsie, Willow, Jubilee (in calf), and Liberty just a few days later. Our Yellowstone was in the cattle business.
A little bit about the author. I own and operate a small farm called “Our Yellowstone LLC” in Illinois. I couldn’t do it alone, but will keep my wife’s name out of it to protect her innocence.
DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK – PART III Read More »
Selling
Sustainability Podcast – The Irish Dexter
Sustainability Podcast - The Irish Dexter History
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.
Brought to You by These Breeders, Affiliates, & Sponsors
Sustainability Podcast – The Irish Dexter Read More »
Podcasts
There is a lot more history in the Irish Dexter Cattlemen flipboards, located in the Gazette
If you looking for more information on our wonderful breed, scroll down past the digital magazines to the flipboard section. There are several of the Dexter Registry Magazines that have been converted into easy to view flipboards. So much history at your fingertips in one place, the IDC Gazette.
Clean up with a simple pulse machine
This was part of the reason I purchased a simple pulse machine. Clean up is this easy!
Clean up with a simple pulse machine Read More »
Milking & Dairy
What a Dexter family gathering!
Here is what a Dexter family gathering looked like in the 1800s. Notice that the cottage cow is handled pretty much like the family horse. This photo was taken from the Facebook group DexterCattle Historical with the permission of Judy Spongaule. Judy has a wealth knowledge about our wonderful breed.
What a Dexter family gathering! Read More »
Historical
Milk Fever – Prevention and treatment By Juliette Albrecht
Juliette Albrecht is a contributing member of the Irish Dexter Cattlemen, who was born and raised in the dairy industry. She has helped a fellow IDC member save their cow. Look for her articles each month and for past articles in the Gazette.
Juliette also runs two Facebook groups. One is under her name. The other is called The Science of Owning Dairy Cattle.
☆☆ Milk Fever
It scares so many dairy cow owners, and for a rightful reason. However I hope that I can shed some light on it and take away a bit of that fear. Hypocalcemia (milk fever) is brought on by the sudden demand for calcium that comes prior to delivery and directly afterwards. This taps her muscles, which carry that, heavily. In a pre calving scenario it will affect labor, since the cow needs muscles to contract. Often in this case she will need assistance. Characterized by lethargic movement, dull, dark eyes, and drop in body temperature, it can also lead to her going “down.”
●● Prevention
First calf heifers are less prone to this, but it CAN happen in them. Commonly it affects 3rd lactation and beyond. From the time she delivers her calf you are either setting her up for a great following lactation, or one doomed to fail. It all start with NUTRITION. Dairy cattle are beautiful, but oh so delicate. She needs fiber, energy, starch, protein, bypass protein and minerals to simply survive. (Keep an eye out for Mariah Gull and her weekly posts regarding this subject!) When a cow calves in she loses body weight rather rapidly. During this time she “milks off” condition. Peak is considered to be day 30 to 90 in milk. If she is being fed correctly, she will not become too thin. Coupled with a good deworming protocol, she will slowly regain weight. At roughly day 80 she ideally will be bred back, and than her body weight will continue to rise. Grain should rise as she peaks to meet her milk volume, than slowly decrease as it falls. If she goes into late stage lactation either too thin or on the alternate, overweight, she is being setup for metabolic problems. During the dry period I either cut grain off completely (during spring and summer grazing, when forage quality is high) or feed a 2 to 3 lb per head feeding rate during the fall and winter.
Transition refers to the time before estimated due date. This commonly starts at 3 weeks out from calving, and technically extends to 30 days in milk. This is my protocol.
1) stop salt access, as it increases the chance of edema.
2) feed either a high fiber, grassy hay or have her graze similar.
3) feed 3 lbs a day of our parlor grain (18 percent protein)
4) top dress with the negative DCAD Soy Chlor
Five to seven days prior to delivery her appetite will drop. If it is significant I give B Complex.
On this protocol I see very little metabolic problems. However I always give Bovikalc to…
A) an assisted birth
B) twins
C) a cow with a known history for metabolic problems (milk fever, metritis, ketosis)
Should she go down, IV calcium is the only way to get her back up.
A cow that has had milk fever typically never reaches her full potential in milk volume for that lactation.
Milk Fever – Prevention and treatment By Juliette Albrecht Read More »
Milking & Dairy
Is milk production like egg production? Submitted by Janelle Soja, Royal Fare Farm, OH
Maybe this is why we get less milk in the winter months?
https://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/education/light-can-have-huge-impact-milk-production
Is milk production like egg production? Submitted by Janelle Soja, Royal Fare Farm, OH Read More »
Milking & Dairy
LET’S TALK CREAM AND DEXTERS
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
LET’S TALK CREAM AND DEXTERS Read More »
Milking & Dairy
DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK PART II
COVID. It sucked. No matter what aisle of the plane that you sit in, even if you just want to stand in the middle, it sucked. There was tragedy, heart ache and despair. Some are still recovering. Some never will. All that said, it was eye opening for me. An introvert by nature (though very few of those that meet me will agree with that description), COVID was somewhat of a respite. It forced, for better or worse, solitude. For me, it brought peace. It got me thinking about our world and my place in it. It was time to start questioning old habits and accepting the norm. It was time to start doing.
Where do I start? As my late Dad would say, at the beginning. I started to look for property in a rural area. That was my first mistake. I didn’t have a solid foundation as to what I wanted to do. I looked at field, woods, and pastures. Some had homes, and others did not. About all of the properties were a good distance from where I lived and some were located in other States. After becoming exhausted and frustrated, I realized that my search was futile. I needed to establish what I wanted to do and with what animals.
My initial thought was horses. My thought is I could breed horses, and/or run a boarding business. It was my wife, ever the cynic, who asked the first pointed question. “Do you know how to ride a horse?”
Contrary to popular opinion in my household, I was a seasoned equestrian and rodeo champion. At least in my mind I dreamed I could be. That said, I scheduled horse back riding lessons. While I enjoyed the lessons, and riding, I started to think it was going to take a lot of time and experience to take other people’s horses in and provide appropriate care. But alas, fate had other plans. My wife quit asking about trivial things such as my ability to take care of horses and we sold our home and bought a home with horse stables and acreage. For me, it was heaven.
Then reality set in. I remembered what the goal was. The goal was to raise our own food. Horses would be welcome, but horse meat will never be in our diet.
The internet, love it or lump it, is a source of a great deal of information. I play the game. In that, I mean, I disregard all the “great” comments, and all the “terrible” comments and seek the middle, I tried to not seek articles that I favored but cast a wide net looking for neutrality. Just the facts, ma’am. What I found intrigued me. Dexter cattle. Ideal for beef, milk, and smaller areas of land. Hearty animals and docile in nature. Not miniature, but smaller in stature. Less intimidating for the new and not an animal that has to be considered a pet.
I compared to different breeds. I was intrigued by grass fed and milk that many argue is better suited to sensitive stomachs. Not only for feeding my family, but the potential of feeding others. I was not looking for marketing gimmicks but trying to fit a niche. My niche. I was told finding the acreage was the hardest part of raising cattle. I can say with 100% certainty, that is a lie. But I am having so much fun living my dreams with our Dexter cattle.
A little bit about the author for those who have read this article or maybe even the first article and scrolled to the bottom of this article just to see if someone had the guts to admit writing this. I own and operate a small farm called “Our Yellowstone LLC” in Illinois. I couldn’t do it alone, but will keep my wife’s name out of it to protect her innocence.
DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK PART II Read More »
Selling
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.
We’re on TikTok! 🎉 @idc79807
Come check out our growing TikTok account and join the fun! Our content is a great mix of cute, fun, informative, and everything in between—there’s something for everyone. Be sure to follow us so you don’t miss out.
Want to see your Dexters or your farm featured? We’d love that! Feel free to send photos and/or videos to
📧 tiktok@irishdextercattlemen.com
We’ll also be posting new ads on TikTok. I’m currently catching up on existing ads, and once we’re up to date, your ad will be posted as soon as it goes live on the website.
Have content ideas or interesting Dexter facts to share? Photos, videos, and suggestions are always welcome, just send them to the email above.
Let’s show off our Dexter community! 🐄💚
We’re on TikTok! 🎉 @idc79807 Read More »
General
Is Your Dexter Udder Hairy?
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
A little help from TECHNOLOGY can help with calving…
After many nights of interrupted sleep, due to monitoring a heifer and her first calving, I decided to let technology given it a try. I purchased a Moo Call device. Of course it arrived and she went into labor, but I decided to given it a try on my Dexter due.
It was pretty simple. I followed the instructions and had to cut off to sections on the red rubber grip to get a proper fit. After that I attached it to her tail and monitored during the day, like I always have. I figured she was a few days out and mostly used it at night, so I could sleep.
After a brief phone call with them, to make sure it was working properly, I relaxed and decided to give it a chance. He due date came and went, but all of my experience told me she was not ready and I slept like a baby.
The next morning while finishing up miking, my husband said…Did you just get an email like this? I grabbed my phone only to have it MOOO at me! I had received the email and text…but now it was mooing at me from the APP I had downloaded.
We quickly finished up and went to check on her…and yes she was in the beginning stages of labor. The Moo Call said she would calf within the hour…and she did! The alerts started at 7:34 and the calf arrived at 8:18. Here are some visuals of our experience.
A little help from TECHNOLOGY can help with calving… Read More »
Technology
The Irish Dexter Cattlemen Marketplace..have you tried a free ad?
Did you know that we have given everyone a free ad to try out the Irish Dexter Cattlemen Marketplace? That’s right! Give it a try!
I have found it a great place to produce a professional looking ad that can be shared anywhere.
Recently, we have tweaked some of the features to make it easier to use. The pictures are automatically resized to work with the system. No pre approval process. We can tweak it later if we need to. And also a team behind you that can help you make it what you want it to be.
Here are some recently posted ads. Check them out!
The Irish Dexter Cattlemen Marketplace..have you tried a free ad? Read More »
General
Ideal Small Farm Cows: Dexter Cattle
Pound for pound, no bovine can match the diversity of Dexter cattle, one of the smallest cattle breeds.
Ideal Small Farm Cows: Dexter Cattle Read More »
Homesteading
Announcing The Documents Vault
Irish Dexter Cattlemen is about farmers & Ranchers. A critical design feature of the website was to connect farmers & ranchers with each other using the latest technology. For example, whenever you list an item for sale in the MarketPlace, you instantly become connected to the buyers interested in your item. Buyers can directly message you and ask questions about the cow you have just listed. As the seller, you begin to collect the names and email addresses of all your potential buyers. This is one way farmers & ranchers become connected to each other..
Announcing the Documents Vault, a new way farmers & ranchers can share information with other farmers & ranchers, plus a unique way to dramatically simplify the sale and transfer of your Irish Dexter. In fact, you can use the Documents Vault to sell and transfer any item you have on the farm. The key feature is how it can share.
How Do I Access It?
Casual users browsing the Irish Dexter Cattlemen website, users who have registered for free on the website, and members who have registered and then have become members, all have access to the Documents Vault in increasingly feature rich ways depending on their chosen level.
To access the Documents Vault, mouse over Dashboards on the main menubar, then select My Documents Vault. If you are a casual user, this will open the Public Documents Vault containing folders and documents relevant for public viewing. If you are a registered user, this will open your Private Documents Vault where you can create you own personal folders where you can upload files and documents plus you will have acess to folders and files shared with you by other farmers & ranchers. If you are a member, you will have access to the same files and folders as do registered users plus you gain access to significantly more valuable documents that enhance your farming operation.
What is it? How can I use it?
The Documents Vault is no different than an ordinary file system except in one important way. It provides you with file and documents sharing. To begin, use the New button to create folders or upload files. In this example, a new folder was created and labeled Irish Dexters which you can see on the left under Dashboard. Clicking on this folder allowed for it to be opened and four more folders were created as you see above. Click on the Cows folder and here you can create a separate folder for each of your cows. Click on a specific cow’s folder and you can begin uploading the documents for that cow. What kind of documents? The system accepts Word documents Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, text files, pdf documents, images, and photos. This means you can upload a photo of your brucellosis certificate provided to you by your vet. Upload your cow’s registration certificate provided to you by your registrar. Upload the genetic tests provided by your genetics testing lab. Upload your cow’s photos. Collect all the documents as they occur. Use your smartphone to capture your documents. What’s the benefit? When time comes to sell your cow, or heifer, or bull, one simple click of the Share button transfers all your cow’s information to your new buyer. This is how you build value for your farm and your buyer will instantly see that your farm is where they want to buy more cows.
How do I share?
Click on the folder then click on the Share button. It’s as easy as that. In the Share window (shown above) you can enter the buyer’s email address (they must complete a free registration on the website first) and then choose how you want to share your folder. Your choices are View Only, View and Upload, or Full Access. Any folder or for that matter, any single document can be shared. Sharing does not remove the folder or document. You continue to have full access to it, just as before. This new tools makes it even easier to sell and transfer your Irish Dexters and you have a direct record of who bought your cow. They buyer has a direct record of where they bought each animal. They are sure to buy more from you again.
Summary
Your fundamental, underlying goal in the operation of your farm is to build value. The Documents Vault does just that. It keeps you organized and it demonstrates to your buyers a significantly higher degree of trust. They are assured that they get everything they bought. This means that your buyers will be contacting you first for all their future purchases. The example here was for your Irish Dexters, but anything on your farm can be documented and shared in the same way. Also, you can add new information on how you farm and capture information you think is valuable and easily share it with everyone at Irish Dexter Cattlemen by selecting All Users in the Share window. The Documents Vault is how Irish Dexter Cattlemen connects farmers & ranchers.
Announcing The Documents Vault Read More »
General
Historically looking at the Dexter milk properties!
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
Top Homesteading Breed!
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
Dexter Cattle Return to Ireland
Born Survivor – Story of the Dexter – Heritage Cattle.
Dexter Cattle Return to Ireland Read More »
Historical