What dual purpose breed?

Glenda in MS · #21 11/08/10, 01:57 PM

Here is a link to the associasional website. http://www.pcrba.org/

I think we have some members in Tennessee!

Patt · #22 11/08/10, 04:33 PM

If you want one cow for your family to produce all the milk you need plus give you a calf every year for the freezer I would recommend either a Dexter or Jersey. Depends on the size of your family and how much milk you drink and beef you eat. If you have a small family go with a Dexter from a milking line. If you have a big family go Jersey and breed her to a beef bull every year for a heftier calf.

ArmyDoc · #23 11/08/10, 06:38 PM

I like dexters, if you want a small family cow. If you want a "full sized" heritage breed cow, that you could milk and would do well for beef production, you might want to consider the red pol. Let me know if you are interested, and I can put you in contact with the best red pol breeder I know of. His cattle are gorgeous.

linn · #24 11/08/10, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chalk Creek

They are a great breed, I didn't mean to say they aren't. But, in my experience anyway, to be successful you need to raise registered stock if you plan on selling and for that you need to belong to either or both of the associations and the politics will effect you in one way or another. Also, I had to work hard at marketing because there isn't much demand for cattle around here that aren't commercial beef. Nearly all of my sales were out of state, so there were additional issues involved, health certificates, increasing state import regulations and so on. I just didn't want to deal with it anymore.

I have a couple Hereford x Dexter first calf heifers and I am very pleased with them. I have had several Dexter x Jersey milk cows over the years and love them. They are a great crossbred for homesteading, I think.

I agree with you on the commercial aspect. If one rasies Dexters exclusively then you need to have a market for them. I just have three which I dearly love. When my Dexters are bred to our Black Angus bull it is hard to tell their crossbred calves from the Angus calves.

65284 · #25 11/09/10, 11:46 AM

I have just what you need, I have several Jersey X Dexter cross heifers. Don't know where you are located but if you are close to Missouri I would be glad to show them to you.

Shrarvrs88 · #26 11/15/10, 02:08 PM

I wish I was closer. I am over in OR.

Thanks guys!