irishdexters

Growing my business with GrownBY

Growing my business with GrownBY Read More »

Selling

Selling Dexters by Sue Pollington

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sue Pollington

Selling Dexters by Sue Pollington Read More »

Farm Management Selling

Artificial Insemination at Stay’N Put Farm

By Eliena Bodtke, Stay’N Put Farm

AI tech Whit Ashe

Whit Ashe of Circle A Ranch in Savannah, Tennessee , has been our cowboy, AI tech and friend for over ten years now. Our nick names for him, include Man With The Golden Arm, Mr. One And Done and My Favorite Cowboy to name a few. But, wouldn’t you use those names to describe a perfect heifer record and he only had to come back twice for redos in 10 years. We recommend him for anyone in the area. But after several conversations, it appears that much of our success as team, is not just his technique.

Minerals

For both Circle A Ranch and our little homestead, Stay’N Put Farm, it started with the management program. We both use Vitaferm Concept aid minerals. Whit recommended these right from the beginning, including when we were doing live cover on and off. It is set out free choice for them to utilize at their pleasure. With the success rate like ours, proper nutrients to help them take with one attempt has to be one of the key components . Seeing others succeed when switching to it, seems to us to be part of one of the keys to success. But this is just one of components to this success.

Timing

Timing is very crucial as well. Each Dexter will have its own cycle. Ours are between 18 and 21 days. Signs of coming into heat differ from cow to cow. Some of the signs we look for are loose poops, change in behavior…extra sweet or standoffish behaviors. You will often times see the cows standing close to each other, one appears to be more affectionate than the others. These for us are the start of of the heat cycle and duly noted.

Next we watch for jumping or restless behavior. This could include a nursing calf, jumping on mom or behaving weirdly with mom. If you’re milking, you may see an appreciable drop in milk, we do.

This is when your observation skills are most important. Cows will jump cows. Cows will jump bulls. This behavior is referred to as bulling. If you only have one cow in your herd and no other Dexter or bovine friend, this can be troublesome.

It can help you know that a cow is in heat, but it can’t tell you whether it is in a standing heat.

Telephone conversations and texts happen with Whit Ashe when we see behavior changes, poops getting loose or a milk drop and then we keep in close contact until we are sure that we are in standing heat.

Standing heat

Standing heat is when the cow stands for anyone to mount her. It is at this point you should be ready. We try to AI within the next 12 hours…and close to the 12 hour mark.

When your tech arrives, you should have your cow either in the barn or in the milking stanchion or shoot. You will need to have your straw selected that you want to use. The tech will warm the insertion device, by placing close to their body…down their shirt. The straw will be warmed in a special straw warmer. Once it is thawed, the device will let you know and the fun begins. The attached video will show you what it typically looks like.

Whit Ashe has only had to make two trips back in 10 years, and I would have to say one was probably the semen , which is rare to have a problem with it and the other was my timing. We chased it…knowing it would probably result in a bull, but we were unsuccessful. As of the time writing this article we have only received two bulls by AI, and that was from another AI tech, Weston Williams. Whit Ashe has a perfect heifer record here, very hard to believe, but true.

Here is a video of it

Artificial insemination of a Dexter cow

Artificial Insemination at Stay’N Put Farm Read More »

Farm Management Herd Health

Getting And Keeping Your Dexters In Optimal Condition.

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
Skip to content
Enable Notifications OK No thanks