Dexter Prices?

[BlueHeronFarm]

We have the opportunity to get a young Dexter heifer - 8 or 9 months old.
They hand raised her - and handled her a lot, so she is very calm and easy to lead. We have met her mom, who may just be the coolest cow I have ever seen.

They are asking $1000 -- and with that, they will also let us bring her back to be bred to their Dexter bull.

I was wondering how this price sounds to those of you who keep cows, Dexters, especially. I guess it's just my instinct to shrink a little when price tags hit their 4th digit, but my gut says this is probably what they cost and I should just get over it. All opinions welcome.

[Slev]

Well, I think more so than price, her health should be the big concern. You didn't state long leg or short leg, and I'm wondering if you know about the bulldog gene? or other health concerns. Plus, a lot of price issues depends on location, location, location. But, I'm thinking an added plus because they are offering their bull services back to you.

I'd go for it, I mean the worst that can happen is you buy her, bring her home and as she steps off the trailer she drops dead and you're out $1,000! On the flip side, you could get years of calves, milk, friendship, manure for a garden, someone who'll listen to you even when you sing cheesy musicals from the Sound of Music,and then ultimately, ..a freezer full of beef.

[BlueHeronFarm]

I'm pretty sure they have been tested for the bulldog gene, actually. But I will ask. I seem to remember talking about it the first time we saw the mom-- had never seen Dexters before and she told us a lot about them.

Her mom is well kept and healthy. Had a long lactation -- a year and a half - before she had to be rebred last time. (Big plus for me...we plan to milk). They are going to show this heifer before we take her home, if we buy her - so I think she is well put together.

We've bought livestock from this person before - she's a good farmer who cares well for her animals. I don't really worry about general health...

Thanks for pointing all of these things out!!! -- I need help in being sure we ask all the right questions, etc. Like I said - I'm kind of a nervous nellie about money.

[ebook]

I think it seems like a fair price. Of course follow the advice that Slev gave. As far as the bulldog gene goes (chrododysplasia or something spelled like that) it is something to worry about, but there is an easy out. Just make sure the bull you breed to is not a carrier of the gene ... then you should be good to go, unless of course you know the heifer has been tested and is clear, then it doesn't really matter.

I think one of the biggest deals is that you have bought animals before from this person ... to me that would make shelling out the big bucks easier since you have been satisfied before.

[genebo]

That's about the right price for a heifer on the east coast, but they are usually a little higher where you are. It sounds like a good deal to me.

It's not always the best thing to breed her back to her sire, so check to see if the bull they are offering for breeding is not her sire. There are a number of other Dexter breeders in Texas with breeding bulls.

It's great that you know she came from a good milking dam. If her sire also carries good milking genes, then you've struck gold!

I hope you have a long and happy relationship with her.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[BlueHeronFarm]

Thanks to all of you and anyone else who wants to weigh in. I guess I felt the price was in line with what it should be-- I just get nervous..it's a lot of money, you know?

I will check into the bull's parentage andd the dwarf (bullodog) genetics ...anything else I should ask about?

[Mickey]

I paid $1500 for my bred heifer back in May and she calved a nice little bull calf in mid Sept. I'm in New Hampshire.
Mickey

[Jcran]

I got a six year old HEIFER for free off of Craigslist, but no guarantee that she could breed. However, we were successful with hormone treatment and she is due in June...a heifer was recently advertised near us for 1000. so your price with a free breeding sounds good.

[genebo]

Don't be frightened by the dwarf gene, just informed. Some of the nicest Dexters are dwarves. You shouldn't breed two dwarves together, or you'll run a small (25%) chance of a bulldog calf.

In your case, where you intend to milk the cow, I'd go for a non-dwarf. There's more room for milking with the longer legs.

To see a pretty dwarf Dexter cow, go to:

http://www.dextercattle.org/graphics...iscription.htm

Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page.

The cow is Pixie of Sussex. Unfortunately, she doesn't belong to me.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[linn]

Two years ago, DH paid $700 for an in-calf heifer. He got her for my Christmas present and she calved a couple of months later. She is a purebred; but didn't come with papers. If you want this heifer for a future milk cow, make sure to check if she comes from a milky background. Some Dexters are bred more for beef than milk.

[freeholdfarms]

We paid a little more than that in 3/'06 for yearlings, with no service.
Then we bought a bull and another yearling.
$ounds good to me.