Dexter Cattle

linn · #21 01/14/10, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genebo

The knock on bulls from the Lucifer line is that he had to be put down due to being mean and there are a lot of stories about Lucifer descendent bulls going ballistic with no warning.

By the way, Dollarless Bill just started posting again, on the dextercattleonly group.

I communicated with the owner of Lucifer, Judy Moseley, before I ordered his semen. She told me that he was not at all mean or hard to handle. That story has been circulated along with stories about a couple of other bulls. I have also communicated with several others who have bulls from the Lucifer line and they have had no problems, Dan Butterfield for one. I have a Lucifer daughter that is gentle, so I think a lot of that is just hype. Lucifer throws heifers that milk well and have good udders. The poster was looking for a family cow. I haven't heard of any Lucifer cows going suddenly berserk and this is the first time I have heard of any Lucifer bulls going suddenly berserk, without prior warning. I have Judy's e-mail, if anyone would like to check with her concerning Lucifer. Just pm me and I will give it to you.

LizD · #22 01/14/10, 08:00 PM

Well as Cliff says, any time you don't cull for temperament, Lucifer line or not, you are in for problems.

For every anecdote about bad behaviour, there are breeders, like Cliff who have stories about descendants with really good temperaments. I think reputable breeders cull for temperament, no matter the colour, udder or conformation. Many people have been working with Lucifer lines with beautifully tempered stock, but it does seem that all of the problems of temperament in Dexters boils down to the fault of one bull.... in some people's opinion.

To misquote Shakespear " Would a Lucifer of any other name be so bad????"

linn · #23 01/14/10, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genebo

The knock on bulls from the Lucifer line is that he had to be put down due to being mean and there are a lot of stories about Lucifer descendent bulls going ballistic with no warning.

Search through the Yahoo Dextercattle groups for Lucifer and mean.

Not far from me there was a 3 year old Lucifer bull, as nice as can be, that went off one day. He went plain crazy. It took several people a long time to get him in the trailer to go to the processor. He nearly tore the trailer up. The meat turned out great, though. He must have tenderized himself pounding on the trailer.

One lady told of having a Lucifer cow that went off like that.

That puts Lucifer bulls in the same category as Jersey bulls. Notoriously untrustworthy.

There are plenty of good milking lines that don't have that reputation.

Celestial Farms is offering Dexter milk cows for sale on another thread on this group. I don't know their lineage.

By the way, Dollarless Bill just started posting again, on the dextercattleonly group.

By the way genbo, check out their foundation sire page. You might be in for a little surprise. There are really not all that many good milking lines either, when it comes to Dexters. Most of them go back to Woodmagic, the Knotting line or Brambledel Redberry Prince. There has been a lot of argument back and forth about Lucifer and a couple of other bulls. It seems there is an element in the registered Dexter community who would like to see these bulls discredited.

Silver Marten · #24 01/14/10, 08:29 PM

Sorry for not getting back sooner. Thank you all for all of the great information!

We are looking for a family milk cow. We have been considering the Dexters because they are small and easier to handle. We may just get a larger milk cow and a Dexter bull though.

Emily

francismilker · #25 01/14/10, 09:14 PM

Silver Marten,
If you're in Northern Louisianna, you shouldn't be too far from Sulphur Springs, TX. The cattle there are selling fairly cheap right now if you're looking to get started with a cow. I know that buying from an auction isn't the most ideal thing for several reasons, but the market's right for the gamble at this time. There were some might fine looking springing heifers there last week selling in the 650-850$ range.

MARYDVM · #26 01/14/10, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issylthesthlia

I wish everyone weren't so far from me... makes getting my starter critters difficult!

Don't know where you are in AZ, but someone in Prescott has 2 bred Dexters and an open heifer for sale on Craigslist at very good prices. The older cow has been milked.

Cliff · #27 01/15/10, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizD

Well as Cliff says, any time you don't cull for temperament, Lucifer line or not, you are in for problems.

For every anecdote about bad behaviour, there are breeders, like Cliff who have stories about descendants with really good temperaments. I think reputable breeders cull for temperament, no matter the colour, udder or conformation. Many people have been working with Lucifer lines with beautifully tempered stock, but it does seem that all of the problems of temperament in Dexters boils down to the fault of one bull.... in some people's opinion.

To misquote Shakespear " Would a Lucifer of any other name be so bad????"

Ha ha yes, twould be rather foolish to keep a bull around who can lift and flip a 1200 lb round bale with one horn, had he any intention of using that horn for anything else, eh?
Only thing I've seen the good boy put a horn to was a crazy huge angus bull who broke into our cow pasture with lust in his eye. Willie put him on the road real quick with a few well-placed jabs. Didn't even break the skin as I recall, but he put the hurt on him. Willie is half the angus bulls size but it only took a second to find out who was in charge. No bully intruders in the 4 or 5 yrs since.
I truly will be sad to see him go when I eventually work up to it. A gentle giant (by smaller animal standards lol) who will let baby goats and pups frolic under his feet and chickens stand on his back.
Not trying to imply he's a pet, for he is in no way that. IMO it's not safe to make pets of bulls. He's never even had a halter on. He just allows himself to be herded (respectfully) about, or onto the trailer when needed.

2Horse · #28 01/15/10, 09:25 AM

Although I haven't had too much experience with cattle (other than helping a friend out in a automated milking parlor a couple times), I do have experience with other animals.

As with horses, I'm sure everything is linked to the sire of the line without consideration to the traits the mother passes on. Both animals should be of sound temperament, as well as the other desired characteristics.

In the case of the milking dexters, I would assume that there are people like myself who are possibly in the market for a family cow. Dexters are appealing because of their smaller size, and dual-purpose. Just enough milk, and an opportunity to raise your own beef.

I'm sure there are people that start off with a family cow, then decide they are going to breed the animals, yet when they do, they don't consider the temperment of the animals they are breeding. They may have an unruly cow that they have to think up gadgets or tricks in order to milk, or may have given up on milking and are just going to breed.

In the case of a milk line, I think that's foolish, because people in the market for family cows are going to want a gentle cow since most family cows are going to be hand-milked.

genebo · #29 01/15/10, 02:08 PM

Temperament is especially important in a hand milked cow. You're going to spend a lot of time with the side of your face pressed into her flank. It's a close relationship.

Genebo
Paradise Farm