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.
THE ANCIENT CATTLE Podcast – The Irish Dexter Read More »
Podcasts
For you history buffs…how our Dexters came to be in Australia.
The history of Dexters in Australia Read More »
Historical
I needed help and was unafraid to admit it. I was at home and 6 hours away from Sweet Caroline. Taking the animal shelter’s advice, I called “Eye In The Sky Thermal Drone Pet Rescue”.
Philip answered on the second ring. I explained the situation, and the first words out of his mouth were, “I can go tonight.” I lost it. Fear, anxiety, exhaustion hit me all at once. I couldn’t speak for a good 30 seconds. Philip indicated that this is what he does. He asked that I send him a google pin with Sweet Caroline’s last location. He will contact the Sheriff’s department to let them know that a drone will be in the sky. I was flabbergasted but had hope.
I asked Philip is he thought he would find her. He responded, “I am 100% sure I will find her.”
“How can you be so confident?” I asked.
“It is a black cow! I am used to looking for much smaller animals. She will standout.” He was right.
That night, at approximately 8:30 PM, I received a text. I received a photo of Sweet Caroline standing in a corn field. I couldn’t believe it. I called Philip. He said he found her near the woods where she was last seen. She looked healthy and was eating. I couldn’t have been happier. I made plans to meet Philip the next day in Iowa in hopes of bringing Sweet Caroline home.
The plan was to meet with Philip, fly the drone, see Sweet Caroline and walk her to the trailer and then bring her home. That was the plan. Sweet Caroline had other ideas.
Truck and trailer in tow I was Iowa bound. Through my ever growing list of Iowa contacts, I learned the name of the farmer who’s pasture abutted the woods in which we believed Sweet Caroline had taken residence. I gave him a call while in route. He indicated that he did indeed own the pasture and confirmed that there were several head of cattle in it. The pasture was large, had several acres of woods and water. The farmer told me that there was a spring in the woods where Sweet Caroline was at so she had water. He was going to walk his pasture to see if he could see Sweet Caroline.
About 4 hours in to my trip, the farmer called to advise that he did indeed see Sweet Caroline. She literally walked right up to him! She was next to a fence that separated the 2 properties. She was about 10 yards away from a little gate. The farmer and his son tried to get her to go into the gate on this land, but Sweet Caroline was reluctant and wouldn’t go in. They were able to pet her. Not great news, but not the worst news either.
I met with Philip. Philip was going to put the drone up, and once Sweet Caroline was found, I was going to try to get her into the pasture with the other cattle. There were 2 gates. The little one the farmer mentioned and a main gate located along a road over a mile away.
The drone was up. Amazing things these drones. Flying over head and giving crystal clear images of the things below. Growing dark, Sweet Caroline emerged from the woods and went into the corn field. We were located about 1/2 a mile away and I began the walk towards her.
Sweet Caroline, was… well…Sweet Caroline. I walked towards her with a bucket of grain and she walked right up to me. She allowed me to pet her and I allowed her some grain. She looked healthy and good. I had brought a halter.
I have had more people ask why didn’t I just halter her? Piece of cake! First off, she had never had a halter on in her young life. Second off, she wasn’t about to start with a halter in that corn field in Iowa either. With that not going to work, I went with plan B.
We were about 300 yards to the small gate. The challenge with that was the small gate was located on a rather steep incline. To get to that gate, we had to walk through very thick brush and thickets. The fence was barbed wire. Sweet Caroline has never been around barbed wire. There was a large tree stump 3 feet in front of the gate. I walked between the stump and the barb wire fence. The other side of the stump was very thick briars and impassable. I immediately figured out the problem.
Sweet Caroline stopped at the stump. She would not go by the barbed wire. We were 3 feet away from the open gate. She eventually walked back to the corn field. I called her. She came back and stopped by the stump. And walked back to the corn field. We repeated that same sequence 3 times. She was wanting to follow. She wanted with the other cattle. She would not go past that stump.
I walked back to Philip. It was dark. I sent a text message to my Dexter cattle mentor and explained the situation. Through her contacts and Facebook followers, she was able to find someone in Illinois, close to Iowa, who might be able to help. She sent me the information.
I called. They would come the next day, Sunday, after church. Time to bring in the cowboys.
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.
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DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK – SWEET CAROLINE (Part 3) Read More »
Homesteading
A milk journey from Sweet Briar Farm Submitted by Janelle Soja
https://discover.texasrealfood.com/dexter-cattle/preparing-your-dexter-cow-for-milking
Preparing Your Dexter Cow For Milking Read More »
Milking
There is no better way to ensure the survival of the family in case of a SHTF scenario and to create a sustainable homestead than to grow and raise your own groceries. There are a plethora of traditional farm animals which can help keep the family well-fed year around or during a long-term disaster, but when both space and budget are limited, one stands out above many of the rest – Dexter cattle.
Dexter Cattle: Mini Cows Are Perfect For Preppers and Small Homesteads Read More »
Homesteading
In this episode I want to talk about the process of selling (what I refer to as) custom freezer beef/pork/lamb etc.
https://www.grazecart.com/blog/how-to-sell-freezer-beef-on-demand
How To Sell 1/4 Beef On Demand, Read More »
Selling
The time, energy and money you invest in this can give you access to the entire U.S. market.
Raising pigs on pasture is wonderfully rewarding work, but it will not lead to a viable farm enterprise unless we take the time to develop our marketing program for effectively selling pastured pork. In this article I share some key points and tips I have gleaned in five years of pork production.
Marketing and Selling Pastured Pork – Dexters Too ! Read More »
Selling
Did you know the look of a Dexter’s head was important to breeders and that there was what was considered a “Dexter Head”?
“Harley Penelope is good to carry in one’s eye as a type of a good Dexter cow. She has the quality and character, a sweet small Dexter head and carries her horns well.”
“I lost my heart to Red Rose, a very beautiful cow, she has the Dexter head to perfection”
Did you know that Dexters were known to give a good milk yield for their size and excelled on lower quality pasture?
“Naturally in these times, when the economy of feeding stock is of importance, the hardiness of a Dexter, the large milk given by them on a small quantity of food, and their ability to thrive on poor pastures make them particularly attractive”
Did you know that breeders put a lot of emphasis of breeding to “pedigree and type” not just pedigree or type alone? That people wanted to keep their diets similar so that they could retain their original attributes including size and hardiness.
“It must be born in mind that these cows are not fed on cake: no doubt on higher feeding these records should be raised to 1500lb or 2,000 lb more than those given above, but Lady Kathleen Morant told me: I do not feed with cake ect., I try to keep them as much as possible on the same lines as the Irish peasant would do because I feel that is the best way of keeping them true to type and from getting them large and coarse.”
All these thoughts can be found in this newspaper clipping from 1917, in reference to Kathleen Morant’s Dexter herd along with pictures that describe even more than the words written in black and white can relate.
The importance of the Dexter Head Read More »
Historical
Minerals are very important!
We’ve shared several articles on the importance of minerals for your Dexters.
We are discussing it again, as it’s a very important topic for the health of your herd. We cannot express loudly enough how important minerals are for your Dexters. Loose minerals are better than blocks, as they can consume much more in loose form, than they can by licking a block. Minerals are made by several different manufacturers. As with anything, you get what you pay for. We esp. like the VitaFerm brand. Many companies offer minerals that target different seasons or issues, i.e. supporting the reproductive system during breeding, heat stress in the summer, selenium, high mag, and others. Consult with your vet, mentor or a feed rep, to determine what could be lacking in your area and thus what you need to support in your herd.
Some people have their hay tested, so that they can determine what they need to make up for in the minerals they supply for their cows.
Next, let’s talk about Kelp. We started using Kelp this year, for the first time. Thorvin Kelp, is an organic, natural supplement that is packed full of bioavailable minerals and vitamins. It can also be fed to other animals on your farm. The benefits of feeding Kelp to your herd are many. Some of those are improving breed back time, helping with weight gain, preventing foot rot & pink eye. It basically boosts the animal’s immune system. In turn, this helps lower your vet bills and helps keep your livestock healthier. Kelp can be fed free choice, alongside your loose mineral or it can be blended into a feed ration. Talk with your vet or feed rep, with any questions you may have for feeding Kelp to your herd.
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV, is another tool that many use to help build up their animals’ immune systems. We prefer the raw ACV, with “the mother” in it. Some say it helps improve cattle health and feed utilization. Others say it also helps prevent and eliminate parasites and resist disease. It’s also been said to reduce horn flies, by making their skin more acidic. It’s going to depend on the size of your water troughs, on how much to add. One recommendation I found, is to mix in 1-2 cups of ACV, per 20 gallons of water or ¼-1/2 cups per 5 gallons of water. Sick or stressed animals can get more, double or triple the amount of ACV, however I would check with my vet, before increasing it too much.
Worming: There are several different types of wormers available, that target different types of worms and parasites. They come in pour ons, oral, injection and block or pellet forms. If you have pregnant or lactating cows, make sure the one you chose is safe to use on them. Ask your vet or a mentor. Some breeders have a yearly worming schedule.If you have a poorly looking animal that is thin & has a dull looking coat, or it might have diarrhea or blood in their feces, the first thing you may want to do is to gather a fecal sample into a clean container and take it to your vet for testing. This isn’t costly and it will tell them/you the correct treatment to use. The problem can range from the animal needing worming, to possibly having coccidia or another disease that needs treated.
A lot of our Country is experiencing high temperatures right now. Usually, any added stress to cattle, can lower their immunity to some things. Higher temperatures can be stressful on animals. If possible, consider moving or working your cattle, during cooler days. Weaning in the hot summer months can be especially stressful for calves. Consider waiting to wean, until cooler months. Make sure they have ample shade to get to, and keep fresh, clean water available, throughout the day.
Veterinarian: YES! You need to establish a veterinary relationship early in your Dexter journey. They are your first go to in an Emergency and for advice. They need to visit your herd and get to know them. This will benefit you & your herd, in the future. Oftentimes, once they get to know you and the herd, you can obtain advice via a phone call and pick up meds, etc. at their office. Like it or not, there will be an occasion where you need an emergent visit. Your investment in your cattle, is worth calling a vet out in an emergency. Lots of breeders, can give advice from experience, but nothing replaces the professional assessment and treatment of a veterinarian who is familiar with your herd.
We hope the ideas above, give you something to ponder, research and consider doing to benefit the health of your herd.
Getting And Keeping Your Dexters In Optimal Condition. Read More »
Herd Health
It has been known for years that variations in milk composition occur; Submitted by Riley Wohlgemuth
Factor Affecting The Composition Of Milk From Dairy Cows Read More »
Milking
Here is a simple video that shows you how to make soap from tallow…you can replace the water part with milk or 50% milk and 50% water. Go ahead give it a whirl…your skin will love it!
That tallow and milk is perfect for soap! Read More »
Homesteading
When people ask me why I think the history of Dexter Cattle is important this is just one great reason that I may give. If you see changes over years happening during the foundational years you can see how breeders were interpreting improvement during a time when people were focusing on breed selection to adhere to a standard that was the norm for the day. You can also see changes that happened over the years and genetics that were diminished in frequency or increased in frequency.
Dexter cattle, though many were black in the early days compared to today this bull Bantam in the top photo was red. During the foundational years it was much more common to find a red Dexter than it was in America prior to people intentionally selecting to increase or preserve red Dexters. Now today red is so common that if someone did not know the History of the breed, they may think it was the predominate color from the beginning.
It’s an interesting point to note; this bull Bantam was bred by the Prince of Wales at Sandringham in 1896. Bantam is what a Champion prize Dexter looked like in 1897. This location is situated in Sandringham, Norfolk, England. Dexters had a very early start of popularity in England being bred by some very noteworthy people. In 1862 Sandringham Estate was under 8,000 acres were as today the acreage is closer to 20,000 acres. If you look at the second picture you will see that in 1914 Dexters were still being breed at Sandringham by the King. The first bull Bantam has a good broad form for a Dexter of his day but when you compare him to the form of the Dexter bull that the King had in the photograph in 1914 you will see he has a broad back end as well as his front. It would be really nice to see a clearer photo of the second bull but we can see enough to consider some of his conformation. Improvements with each generation are very important and should always be improved based upon the breed standard of a breed, because without a standard there is no direction for improvement. While improving on beef traits one must always remember to improve dairy traits equally too, so as not to diminish dairy traits in favor of beef. A beautiful beefy bull is of little value to a dual-purpose breed if he only throws daughters that lack quality dairy traits. When both traits are in harmony you get a great dual-purpose Dexter.
History helps track changes in a herd over a period of years. Read More »
Historical
How does US Farm Data use Facebook to generate farm and ranch leads?
Using Facebook for B2B Lead Generation separating Fact From Fiction Read More »
Selling
Fromage Blanc can be a good way to use up your milk left from removing the cream for butter and ice cream
Fromage Blanc recipe – Easy to make cheese Read More »
Milking
Many plants are potentially toxic to livestock; however, this guide focuses on toxic plants commonly found in Indiana pastures.
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ws/ws_37_toxicplants08.pdf
Guide to toxic plants in forages Read More »
Farm Management
This year we’ve decided to try something new. Wean rings!
Weaning calves with wean rings. Read More »
Farm Management
Vaccines provide added insurance for cattle producers to protect their herds from many different diseases.
Cattle Vaccine Basics Read More »
Herd Health
An update to the last post, started by Matt McCollum about the decline of the foundation of our breed, the dwarf. In case you missed it, it was titled…
Are short leg(Chondro+) registered Dexters in decline? And should we be asking why before it’s too late?
It took a bit to gather all the information and get it all in one spreadsheet, so that we could identify all the duplicates and triplicates. As many people register with one, two or even three registries.
Results are not a shock. Dwarf is definitely on a decline and it happened steeply after someone started a breeder group Facebook page and decided to publish a lot of unproven and untrue things about the dwarf, carrier or chondroplasia postive dexters. All three terms are used interchangeably. You will note the most were registered in 2017 and his group started in July of 2016.
These results are only the tested and registered animals. There are sure to be many that have not been tested or not registered as testing for the gene is not compulsory.
Much of the rhetoric, that has been posted about the dwarf is hearsay and can be traced back to one rather opinionated person. Please do yourself a favor, visit a farm with these wee creatures and understand why so many of us adore them. Less inputs, more milk, more beef and usually the favorites of the herds.
DEXTER CATTLE – JOY, LAUGHTER, AND HEARTBREAK – SWEET CAROLINE (Part 2) Read More »
General
Ancestral ground beef is a simple way to enjoy more of what nature provides. By blending premium ground beef with nutrient-rich organs like beef liver and heart, you get the great taste of ground beef with an extra boost of essential vitamins and minerals.
Organ meats are among the most nutrient-dense foods available. They naturally provide vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc, copper, and other nutrients that support energy, immune function, and overall wellness. Because the organs are blended in at a balanced ratio, most people enjoy all the nutritional benefits without noticing a strong organ meat flavor.
At Pipe Dream Farms Butchery, we believe in honoring the whole animal by making the most of every cut. Our ancestral ground beef reflects that commitment, offering a wholesome, minimally processed product that’s both delicious and nutritious.
Whether you’re making burgers, tacos, meatballs, chili, or spaghetti, ancestral ground beef is an easy way to add more nutrient-dense food to your family’s meals—without changing the recipes you already love.
Eat the way generations before us did: simple, nourishing, and full of flavor.
Why Choose Ancestral Ground Beef? Read More »
Beef
The American Kerry and Dexter Cattle Club Bulletin Seven submitted By Judy Sponaugle Read More »
Historical
Submitted by Judy Sponaugle and the last in this series. Hope you enjoy them all.
The American Dexter Cattle Club Bulletin Eight Read More »
Historical
Wilson County Tennessee State Fair
August 2026
Details in the link!
Dexter Cattle Show Read More »
General
Sometimes they lose their ear tags.
Tagging Dexter Calves Read More »
Farm Management
