Talk to me about Dexter lineage...

darbyfamily · #1 10/20/07, 06:23 PM

When it says "peerless" what does that mean? and from what I've read so far, isnt Woodmagic a good thing to see in the 'family tree'?

i was looking on dextercattle4sale.net and found one Im really interested in, so I wanted to know what to look for in a cow.

The ad says she may be bred, but hasnt calved since 2005...thus they are selling her for a 'pet price' which definitely interests me, since we are on a limited budget for buying. We wont skimp on care, but its the initial cost that is hard for us.

I need some guidance here though, coz I know nothing!

THANKS

RdoubleD · #2 10/20/07, 07:15 PM

Pet means that she may never get pregnant so you will only have a "pet" or beef should you choose to butcher her. If you understand that then she may work for you.

Peerless is the farm prefix that the animals came from just like woodmagic.

ebook · #3 10/20/07, 07:33 PM

The Peerless herd is one of the oldest herds in the United States. It was started around 19'teens in Decorah, IA (WAY TO GO IOWA!!!) so it has a lot of old blood in it. I believe the Woodmagic herd is an older herd from England. So, yes those are probably good lines to see in the pedigree, but not the only good ones. Lineage is something that is debated very heavily on the Dexter e-mail lists and message boards and it is really up to the buyer and owner on what they like. Some will tell you that Lucifer of Knotting will add some milkiness (some like him/some don't). If you are just having one cow as a "home cow" I don't know if I would be too concerned about the lineage if she is a sound cow with a good temperment and conformation. But, as RdoubleD mentions if they are selling her at a pet price she may not ever produce a calf (and thus milk), of course if she has calved before then maybe she will. I guess it could be a crap shoot.

Other than that ... hopefully Dan or Gene or someone will pop in with some more information since I'm fairly new to this.

genebo · #4 10/21/07, 08:02 PM

The "pet" label means that she may not be capable of breeding If so, as Ebook pointed out, you won't be able to milk her. She'll be your pet, but won't give you a calf. Sort of like having a neutered dog.

Saying that she may be bred probably means that she's been exposed to a bull. She could be pregnancy checked by a vet to confirm whether she's pregnant. You could offer to pay for the vet visit.

Peerless is one of the well respected herd names. It's a popular name and lends a little status to a cow that carries it in her pedigree. Woodmagic is a different herd, but carries the same weight.

I always urge people to visit the cow before you buy. Especially if you are going to be in a one-on-one relationship with the cow. Make sure that you are comfortable with each other and that she's gentle. I knew of one lady who couldn't get along with the cow she bought because of the perfume she wore. It made the cow act up.

You say that you know nothing. Well, my advice is to take the time to learn enough to know that you are doing the right thing. It's awfully tough to find out that you don't have adequate pasture and have to buy everything she eats. That's expensive. Make sure that you have proper shelter and shade for her. Find and talk to a local vet. Get the vet to commit to serve you. Find out what the vet charges for a visit. Vets are hard to find.

Don't be in a rush. Do it right. Anticipation increases the pleasure of getting your cow, anyway.

It's funny, but there are two meanings to "pet price". In show animals, it's a lower price. Usually it's due to some defect. In animals like cattle, which aren't ususlly kept as pets, a "pet price" can actually be higher, due to the breeding and training that went into making the cow into a pet.

Good luck. I hope you get your Dexter and enjoy her as much as I enjoy mine.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

darbyfamily · #5 10/21/07, 08:05 PM

I know enough about the land, the feed...that type of thing, I just know nothing about the whole bloodlines info and what to look for and that kind of thing. I've read every book about homesteading, I have Carla Emerys, I have Storeys basic country skills... and have read every article online that I can find about home milk cows.

This lady did say she was told that the cow IS bred, but she wasnt totally sure that its true..and that she HAS calved before but its been a couple of years.

Ralph in N.E.Oh · #6 10/22/07, 07:43 AM

The last thing you want is a 750# pet. You have been given good advice. Find a reputable breeder, who will garantee pregnancy. You will have plenty to learn about cows even though you have read everything you can get your hands on without haveing a bad first experience.

The best thing you can do is buy one that is being milked by hand and bred back for her next lactation. These cows are out there. They may cost a bit more but you get what you pay for. If you buy a young bred Dexter cow in milk, your relationship with her should be a long lasting one as Dexters are a fairly long lived breed.

Snuggling up to milk her twice a day is a great thing. The benefits of a good quality cow will last at lot longer than the value of a cheap pet. I say relax, find a cow in milk, go milk her .... then make your decision.

genebo · #7 10/22/07, 01:53 PM

The man who bought Ruffles from me told me that he'd had a relationship with only two females in his life: his wife and Ruffles. Both are very dear to him.

He gets up early to milk her. While he's milking, with his head pressed tightly aginst her, he sings to her. She likes "Hey, Jude".

I asked him if he would sell Ruffles' heifer calf, Lacy. He said, "Yeah, just before I sell my daughter." They can really grow on you.

That just points up the reason for taking extra care when buying a milk cow. You will have a close relationship with her, for a long time.