irishdexters

Buyer BEWARE of AI Generated Dexter Cattle Books!

Some of these are not like the others!

Danielle Lowther of Byrn Mawr Dexter farm sounded the alarms this month. She found a bunch of books listed on Amazon that must be AI generated with little to no knowledge of what a Dexter looks like, let alone how to care for them.

She posted these on a Facebook group she created called the Horned Dexter Cattle and called for Dexter owners and breeders to show what books they had in their libraries. This sparked several breeders to chime in and post on their sites. Dexter owners are very protective of this breed! Below are photos from several Dexter folks with their cherished books. Included are their names and farm names, incase you want to reach out to them. The imposters are the featured image here.

‘But, if you are looking for REAL information on Dexters, the breed and how to care for them, please consider supporting Irish Dexter Cattlemen by subscribing to one of our many membership levels.

Consider spending your money with a team that is working for you, with hundreds of vetted articles, podcasts and videos, stored in an easy to use, farmer designed, Multimedia Relational Database System that you can search thru with just a word or phase. An example: type in “minerals” and 9 different vetted articles show up for you! What’s in this Multimedia Relational Database System which we call the Gazette?
● Links to articles all over the Internet
● Educational, informative videos every farmer should see.
● Agricultural magazines
● Books in an online flip style format you can read on any of your devices.
● Journals produced by your favorite registry in online flip style format.
● Links to interesting podcasts for listening while working or driving.
● Blogs produced by experts in agriculture
● Historical material and Registry Herdbooks.
All of it organized by your particular area of interest, like Farm Management, or Herd Health, or Milk & Dairy, or Historical, or Selling & Marketing, or Homesteading, or New to Farming, or Farming Technology. Because it’s a Relational System, it’s also organized by topic, like grazing, milking, organic, regenerative, fencing, irrigation, breeding, and many more.
Use the code DEX50 for our March special 50% Membership Discount on any membership level!
…
But you may want to check out our Classified Listing System and all of our levels of membership and find an even better option for you and your farm. At the Breeder level…you can sell anything off your farm…heck even the farm!

Buyer BEWARE of AI Generated Dexter Cattle Books! Read More »

General

Where can I get raw milk or get help to sell mine?

There is definitely a faction of the population trying to get raw milk for their pets and family. There are also many folks trying to provide this to their community and both are struggling to make the connections.

Here are two links that can help you get to the source or get listed as a source.

https://getrawmilk.com

Raw Milk Finder

I would also have you check with your local and state laws to make sure that you are in compliance with them. Each state is different, with more and more changes coming down the pike. Be prepared if you are providing it for folks to just show up, for many phone calls and emails..the movement is in full swing.

Dexters provide a rich and creamy milk preferred by many! Happy milking!

Where can I get raw milk or get help to sell mine? Read More »

Milking

Dexter Milk

Written by Riley Wohlgemuth of Bar Dubya Ranch

Over the last week, I’ve dedicated part of my daily life to training Marieke to milk… We weaned her 10 month old bull calf and separated them so that she could begin to recover some condition. For the previous two months, I have been casually working on her haltering and handling in preparation for this moment…

As always, it takes some adjustment and determination to get into a routine, to be mindful of my actions and responses when training a cow, and just overall persistence despite the odds. Once separated from Connor, Marieke became a little waspy with milking while standing freely, so I quickly decided to start tying her up while I milked for both of our safety.

Milking is not easy. It’s a chore. It requires consistency (after the calf is weaned), determination, patience, and a lot of grace.

But… it’s amazing. To work with a cow and receive raw milk. It is an amazing thing to be able to provide your own milk… to know exactly what goes onto it, where it’s coming from, and get the cow kisses while you’re at it.

The other thing apart from feeding ourselves that brings me so much joy… is the connection to the community, providing the connection to their food that so many are craving. We don’t currently sell our milk as we are still trying to find our own rhythm, a place to purchase, and some other variables which just make that out of reach right now…

A couple of days ago, a neighbor requested to try some of our milk. Her toddler absolutely cannot have cow milk (not even the lactose-free), a sip of it will send her into tummy aches and throwing up within 30 minutes. Her little girl could drink our Dexter milk! Absolutely zero issues. So neat!!

Then, today, we milked Marieke this morning. Getting a full, creamy half gallon jar of delicious raw milk to take home. We decided to stop at a Christmas tree farm on the way home and one of the employees pointed out our lariat rope, which turned into conversation about roping, and then cattle… did we raise any, what do we use them for, etc. We raise our cattle for milk and beef. My husband pulled out the jar of raw milk to show them and they were so fascinated and intrigued! So we offered for them to have a little sip. We have so much at home that it wasn’t too terrible a loss to sacrifice some milk for the sake of curiosity.

They were amazed! At the flavor, the texture, remarking on its creamy sweetness and how the flavor lingered on their tongues. Then there were immediate questions about did we sell, could they buy, etc. The excitement, the chattering. It made me so happy to provide that experience and connection to them!

Farming is difficult, but so rewarding… for ourselves, for the connections we cultivate with friends and strangers, to nature and God’s provision for us… We are feeling extra grateful this season.

God bless and happy holidays!! 🥰❤️

Dexter Milk Read More »

Milking

Getting Dexters is like eating chips, you can’t just have one!!! Written By Shelley Hatfield Whippoorwill Pines Farm

I kinda want to go back to the beginning.  We are getting several new Dexter owners and several people asking questions.  So I will post some articles on getting started.   These articles aren’t necessarily directed to Dexter cattle in particular, but the basics are the same.  
 First of all, you do need to decide what you are wanting to do with your Dexters.  Since they are a dual purpose breed,  you need to decide the most important thing you are wanting out of these cattle.  I’m not saying this has to be forever, but you do need to decide what your main goal is for raising these cattle.  Then you can go from there later on.  Secondly, you need to decide what your property will hold.  This is VERY important.  In this you need to decide which direction your farm is going,  grass fed, mostly grass fed with some grain, or grain fed.  It may seem overwhelming at first, but just take one thing at a time.  You can change your mind as you go and see what works for your farm and what doesn’t.  Don’t get overwhelmed!! 
 Next a good water source will be needed.  Either by running lines, running hoses, putting in automatic waterers.  Cows need a good grass source and good clean water.  Some people let their cows use their ponds.  That is fine as long as the pond doesn’t have a run off.  Cows can also damage a pond by pushing in the dirt as they stand in it and filling it back up.  Unless you have a deep pond.  
 Another thing that I have found to be very important is to have ample equipment for holding them.  You need a good chute.  It doesn’t always have to be a fancy set up.  If you can afford one that is great, but you need a good head chute. You can make an alley way to it with panels or fencing.  A good head chute is vital to being able to inspect or service your cattle.  
 A good mentor is very very helpful!!!  Find someone who has raised cattle, particularly Dexters and learn everything you can from them.  Our website will be very helpful in that area.  You can find other Dexter owners.  We also have lots of information that is helpful, in several different areas.  

Getting Dexters is like eating chips, you can’t just have one!!! Written By Shelley Hatfield Whippoorwill Pines Farm Read More »

Beef

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2 – By Shelley HatField Of Whippoorwill Pines Farm

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2
 
I’m going to write about the second part of this series of keeping cows in the winter.  The first one was about making sure they have adequate water.  I’m going to talk about shelter in the winter.  This will once again depend on where you are in this great United States.  We have such diverse weather conditions.

I think that this could end up being a great debate, but I’m not wanting that.  I know some people think that the cows need a 5 Star barn and others think a few trees are plenty.  I’m just going to do a basic all around article on what the cows should have.  Then you can go from there and do what you feel is necessary. 

Starting with the milder states, you still should have at least a covering for them to get out of the sun in the summer and wind in the winter.  If you live in the colder states you will at least need a wind block.  It is also good for you to have at least a 3 sided building.  It doesn’t have to be fancy.  It just needs to be something that they can get in out of the wind and rain/snow.  Now if you have had cows very long you will know that they will just stand outside in the weather.  They have grown coats for the weather that you have in your area.  
 
You will notice cows standing out in the winter weather and have their backs covered in snow.  That is a good sign.  That means that they are well insulated!!  Dexters in particular were created to weather more difficult situations. 

Each person knows what they want for their herd.  This is just some basic advice on what to have.  Happy Winter!!!

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #2 – By Shelley HatField Of Whippoorwill Pines Farm Read More »

Beef

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

An article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website

Good afternoon, I’m sitting down to write up an article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website.  I’m going to write this one up myself but I will include a few articles that you can go check out for yourself.  I don’t feel that I have any experience with this production yet as I’m just starting it myself.

I have been reading and watching so many different farms that have been using this as their practice and it is amazing what happens.  I’m talking about regenerative grazing. 

There is a place in Greenfield, IN called Tyner Pond Farm.  I was reading one of their articles this past spring and they had just pulled their cows off in March of this year.  They had wintered all winter on their pastures!!  They finally were feeding hay bales in March.  Their location is in Indiana which is about 2+ hours from me, but it is about directly across from me. So, the temperatures are close to being the same.  When I saw pictures, they had green grass still in March of 2024.  I find that amazing!! That is something that I want to strive for. 

Another place to find information about this practice is Greg Judy at Green Pastures Farm.  There are several videos that you can find on YouTube about how he does this practice.  

There is also Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm, who practices these methods.  

I’m still getting my perimeter fences all put in, hopefully they will all be put in by next spring.  Once you have your perimeter fences put in, you will separate those into small paddocks.  You will move your cattle every day through those paddocks.  As you watch Greg Judy, he has water lines run out to each paddock.  And most other people do, too.  That will be a down the road option for me.

This practice is a lot of work, but I believe that it will be well worth my time!!  Moving the cattle helps keep the microbes in the ground going.  It also helps to keep you from overgrazing your pastures, which is what I’m doing now.  Over grazing lets so many weeds in that it isn’t funny!!  This regenerative grazing also cuts down on the weeds.  

Another reason that I just learned this week is when you get your pastures going, you make sure your grass cocktail is good.  If you have a good cocktail of grasses that will keep the fly problem down!!!  Greg Judy has a Youtube video out that shows his cattle out on pasture with hardly, if any, flies on the cows.  It was amazing to watch!!!  The cows were sleek and shining with hardly any flies.  He talks about it with the guy who oversees it.  It is amazing!!!

I hope to come and write another article in about 3 years or so and tell you how it is going. I know that it will be hard work, but it will be so beneficial in the end!!  

Check out these farms to learn more information.  I believe this is so important for our pastures.  We need to preserve them as much as we can.

Shelley Hatfield

An article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website Read More »

Beef Farm Management
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