Price for a bred Dexter yearling heifer?

InHisName · #1 09/03/10, 07:17 PM

So what is the going price for a bred yearling Dexter heifer? Papers, healthy, beautiful. What about a Jersey?

Patt · #2 09/03/10, 07:39 PM

I hope she will be at least 2 when she calves....

Prices vary wildly to be honest. Dexters were one of those hot homestead fads and in some places they have done well and in others the market just never developed. Here in AR you can get them fairly cheap, this ad was in Sunday's paper: DEXTER HEIFER (1) Registered, Black, Bred, 3 Years Old, $700.

Jersey's here run $1,000 to $1,200.

MARYDVM · #3 09/03/10, 09:24 PM

Prices in AZ are similar to that listed above. They ask a little more for polled or dun/red ones.

salmonslayer · #4 09/03/10, 10:05 PM

I went to Dexter auction last weekend put on by the Missouri Dexter Breeders Association and a pregnant heifer went for $1500 with all the appropriate papers etc. and documentation from the vet. They had several yearlings that went from anywhere from $650 up to about $900. Prices do seem to be down and there really wasnt much competetive bidding.

As much as I want a couple Dexters I was a little turned off by the price and the focus on the lineage...I mean, my plan is to eat the darn things eventually and I dont want to have to explain over the BBQ grill that we are going to eat "Stella's Dream Weaver, Dame Felonia McGoo, Sire Jackson son of Chieftan Warrior of the Jackson Farms".

I am sure I will get flamed and if thats your bag go for it, they just dont fit into our small farm plans except that I liked the size.

chewie · #5 09/03/10, 10:38 PM

i agree! i woulda got one, but the price for such a small critter, nah. i can get an angus or other here, or jersey. i went for goats, since i have no need for buckets and gallons per day, and if you have all your milk needs on one critter, that kinda leaves you hanging if something goes awry. jmo.

ceresone · #6 09/04/10, 08:49 AM

Thats why I'd like to have a Dexter--for milk. I dont care for goats milk-and I like the Dexter size--dont know if I could eat my own tho--nothing wrong in it--just that I, personally, couldnt do it.

CountryWannabe · #7 09/04/10, 02:50 PM

I paid $1000 for my tested in-calf Dexter heifer who is registered, black and horned. As noted above - red or dun and polled tend to run a bit more spendy. Unfortunately she resorbed, so went back to the bull. Hopefully she is now settled again.

I understand that the Dexters give around 2 gallons or so per day. You can now have them tested for the A2 beta casein gene - that is the type of milk that is said to be better tolerated. It is the type produced by goats. Much cow milk nowadays is A1.

The steer we just processed was 690# live weight, and we around 450# of carcass. He is absolutely delicious and was fed mostly grass and hay - almost no grain at all, so he was cheap to raise.

Mary