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 & DairyInformation on milk and dairy using Irish Dexter Cattle
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 & DairyEnjoy this video from 1949 to see what a common herd of Dexters may have looked like at that time. It would be interesting to see what observations new people to the breed would take away from the video if they were to compare them to many Dexters now available for purchase.
Understanding where Your Dexters came from will Give you a vision for their future. Read More »
HistoricalPoor Man’s Cow to Luxury Cow
How did the Poor Man’s Cow become owned by the wealthy and famous. Dexters and Kerry Cattle became recognized for their unique hardy attributes, Kerry for milk and Dexter for milk and meat. Dexters were known to get by on less, produce rich milk and raise a healthy vigorous calf for their owner’s table. Dexters were bred to their breed specific traits transforming them from just any poor Irish cows to these 2 beautiful, registered Dexter cows we see in these two later photos.
They were rare and they were at risk of being cross bred out of existence, but breeders in Ireland started selecting and registering Dexter cattle with breed defining traits to preserve and register them in a herd book. Once the promotion of Dexters began every wealthy aristocrat wanted one. All of a sudden, they were not the Poor Man’s cow but rather for a short spell until the numbers grew, cattle that only the wealthy could afford. Consider as this article states a $200 dollar Dexter cow from 1915. This is the equivalent of $6221.78. I checked multiple inflation calculators to verify that number as being correct. With the highest price the ad mentions at $350 in 1915, you would pay $10,936.81 today! Consider today we pay less for quality breeding stock. Rarity always drives the price up and just like with the rarity of gold it dictates the price.
Registered cows were important then and today. Registered Dexters will always hold a higher value than unregistered. Still with Dexters it took devoted breeders to breed Dexters according to the Dexter Standard to the highest quality like the 2 cows you see in the photographs. Not every Dexter cow was nearly as ideal as these two beauties. Compton Daphne, I speculate is a Chondro Carrier while Grinstead Watercress I speculate to be a non-carrier. Of course, we can never go back and test them so it’s just speculation. Both are extremely well bred and both fit the standard well.
So, as you can see Dexters are a dual-purpose breed that can be bred by multiple types of people regardless of fortune because they are a great pick for everyone. Whether you’re a small homesteader trying to save money with a thrifty headache free cow or someone who just wants to raise them as beautiful lawn mowers true Dexters are a great fit for these reasons and so many more!
30 Jan 1915 is the date of article written.
Photo of cattle in town are common type of Celtic cow that roamed Ireland.
Other two photos are of registered Dexters.
Dexters – Poor Man’s Cow to Luxury Cow By Danielle Lowther Read More »
HistoricalDexter owners should check out #5,6,7,8,13,19,27,28,30 all have to do with products from our wonderful breed!
9 reasons for Dexters on your Homestead Read More »
HomesteadingDexters are better at foraging for their food, live long, produce well and rear about 10 calves or more, during their lifetime. Because they are small cattle, you can stock more cattle per acre than you would with conventional cattle breeds.
Dexter Cattle – Ideal Small Cattle Breed for Homesteads and Small Farms Read More »
HomesteadingThere are some good pointers in this short video. Always breed for duality and you will have a Dexter herd that meets all of your needs.
Please keep in mind many don’t like the term mini cow being applied to our breed, as they are the smallest breed in the world.
Dexter are perfect for the Homesteader Read More »
HomesteadingClever idea to hold your yogurt at a constant temperature using sous vide!
We love to try different t cooking techniques and have used sous vide for many years with our Dexter steaks. Happy to have found another use for the sous vide immersion circulator. Next thing to try, is using it when making cheese. Thank you New England Cheesemaking Company!
High Tech solution for making yogurt from the New England Cheesemaking Company. Read More »
Milking & DairyAn interesting approach to dairy that should be considered!
https://nodpa.com/n/515/Homeopathy-The-Mechanics-and-Its-Application-for-the-Dairy-Farm
Dairy and Homeopathy submitted by Riley Wohlemuth Read More »
Milking & DairyConsider making this with your DEXTER yogurt…a middle eastern version of our popular yogurt.
This Middle Eastern yogurt drink comes with many different names: ayran, doogh, and tahn. It is a fresh, sparkling, and delicious drink. Perfect for hydrating on a hot summer’s day.
https://www.fermentingforfoodies.com/middle-eastern-yogurt-drink-ayran-doogh
Yogurt with a Twist! Read More »
Milking & DairyKefir grains are yet another product of human domestication
Old Cheese, New Data: Dairy Fermentation in Bronze Age China Read More »
Milking & DairyJuliette 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 & DairyThere 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.
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 & DairyBy Kasie Williams of K Williams Ranch
Her determination paid off! A Dexter milking journey…. Read More »
Milking & DairyThe milking machine market can be so confusing. In an effort to help you wade through what is currently on the market, I created this spreadsheet.
For the budget conscious, make sure that it has a true pulsation, an added bonus is ease of cleaning.
While I have tried to include everything on the market, I am sure I have missed a few.
https://1drv.ms/x/c/c79950faab991348/EUgTmav6UJkggMeSOwAAAAABhxnazfsIBA0-qpk3ObFlAQ
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!! 🥰❤️
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.
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 & Dairy
A combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips make this hot chocolate extra flavorful and delicious!
Homemade Hot Chocolate Read More »
Milking & DairyBy 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 & beef Read More »
Milking & DairyExcerpt from Veterinarian To Be on Facebook
Scientists created a genetically engineered cow that produces human insulin in its milk:
Currently, diabetics rely on insulin synthesized in bacteria within complex laboratory settings.
The new method harnesses the cow’s natural milk-production capabilities as a biological factory for human proinsulin, the precursor to insulin. Surprisingly, the cow’s mammary gland even performed the conversion to active insulin.
This proof-of-concept study demonstrated the remarkable potential for transgenic cows to produce massive quantities of insulin. The researchers inserted a segment of human DNA responsible for proinsulin production into cow embryos. The resulting transgenic calf demonstrated the ability to secrete both human proinsulin and insulin in its milk.
A single liter of milk contains enough insulin that could meet the needs for a diabetic patient for several years.
Researchers envision a future where relatively small herds of these special cows could drastically lower insulin production costs and potentially meet global demand.
Unlike current bacterial production methods, this approach wouldn’t require sophisticated facilities. While further research and regulatory approvals are needed, the scientists are optimistic. This development could herald a new era of insulin availability, making this life-saving medication a reality for all diabetics, regardless of location or income.
Are cows the new insulin producers? Read More »
Milking & Dairy
When choosing cheese, opt for raw, organic, grass fed varieties
Cheese, the Ultimate Superfood Submitted By Donna Grace Read More »
Homesteading Milking & Dairy
Homeopathy for Mastitis …consider natural methods
Homoeopathy for Bovine Mastitis – Submitted by Riley Wohlgemuth Read More »
Herd Health Milking & Dairy