Talk to me about dexters

[DamnearaFarm]

I have the opportunity to begin and run a small cattle ranch (365 acres) here in NM. As we're not cattle experienced at all (do have years of horse experience though- so not just your average small animals experience), I like the idea of smaller, easier to handle cattle. What can you tell me about dexters? Likes, dislikes, what you've learned, compared to larger breeds, etc.
I've looked at some other smaller breeds (LOVE the highland, but don't think they'd do well in this desert clime) but keep coming back to the Dexters.

Thanks in advance.

[Menglish]

I'm no expert, in fact I've had my Dexters less than a year. Years ago I worked on Dairy farms with Holsteins, Brown Swiss and a few Jerseys. The Dexters have wonderful dispositions. Are very trainable and the Bulls are very docile. I'm just now getting set up to milk one but I really don't feel there will be a big problem doing so. They are easier to handle and like human interaction.

Also the ones I have are very healthy. They have very few birth problems. We've had 3 births since they arrived and all were completely unassisted. If you've ever had experience pulling a Holstein calf that's too big you will appreciate that!

I will say that everything I've read about them is true. I would also avoid the short legged versions and insist on DNA testing to make sure you don't buy any carriers.

In general I really like them!

Mike

[genebo]

The Dexter has built it's reputation as a small holder breed, with dual purpose traits. Dairy and beef. It fills that niche to perfection.

Your project, raising a large herd for beef only. is an uncharted area. You'll be breaking new ground.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[copperhead46]

Charaty, you should check Scott and Judy Nocks ranch in Colorado.......
http://cjsfarmhasdexters.homestead.com/ they have a comercial Dexter operation and could probably help you way more than most of us. I only run 12 to 15 head at a time so I'm pretty small fish. Gene Pittman is a breeder down the road from me and he runs quite a few head and he sells to a health food store, so there are lots of variables with the Dexters. I can guarantee that the Dexters are hardy as as far as the heat goes, they can take it, and they sure do take the cold. I think what you're looking at would be GREAT adventure.
P.J.

[elgordo]

I only have a couple "girls". They are very docile for not being worked with much. I am having a little difficulty finding a bull I like; I really don't want a large herd and I don't want to feed a bull for breeding just a couple cows...
they seem to be very hardy and my older gal, Bella, gave birth easily.
Keep us all posted about how they do for you if you decide to use Dexters. My husband says that the smaller the cow the higher the fence line looks! I can keep them in place with a double strand electric if I have to.

[DamnearaFarm]

Thanks for weighing in guys.
Mike- what you're saying is pretty much across the board what I've read about them. It's good to hear from someone I *know* too :0)

Genebo- it'll actually be a small herd. Out here in the desert grasslands (don't let the name fool ya) it's not cows to acres, it's acres to cows. Average is about 64 acres per cow. There's roughly 55 acres with irrigation rights and three cuttings a year, so to keep up my four horses and cattle with both pasture and what alfalfa & corn we'll grow.... I figure I can run no more than 20 head without having to buy hay. I've read that they're good dual purpose animals, so i'm hoping they'll be triple purpose out here. 4H and FFA are BIG here (we're a ranching community) so I hope to snag a share of that market as well. Smaller cattle=easier for kids to handle.

Thanks, PJ. I'll check them out. There didn't seem to be too many breeders out my way, according to the registry websites i've seen. I've read that the dexters have very good marbling of the meat, especially for a cow that size. We've cows everywhere out here- as a matter of fact, the Kings (Yeah, THOSE Kings) have a lot of land out here and I have to drive through one of their places to get to my house. Three of them live here apparently.

Elgordo- really? That's great. I know all the cattle around here seem to laugh at the barbed wire- there's ALWAYS cattle out (one road to my house goes through King property and they free range and we're bumpin' over multiple cattle guards- and there's hardly ever any cattle in the road. The other road has no guard and has fencing- this morning whilst taking the kids to school I passed :two in the cornfield, one alongside the road and one moseying up the road- right in the middle. Just glad he wasn't there on my trip out :0)
I'm thinking AI for us, at least until we're all better acquainted and I feel comfortable handling a bull.

[~Tomboy~]

Hi Charaty,

I know of several people from New Mexico looking at Dexters right now, one of them lives in the Rio Grand Valley and grows alfalfa, ships it here to Texas, plus a lot of it goes to the dairies there.
I don't think you can go wrong with Dexters, your neighbors (with large livestock) at first might ask why breed those small things, next thing you know they'll be asking to borrow your bull. Once they walk among the herd and see their temperaments, their sold.
Do a lot of reading, and talking with several breeders, find out what fits your needs and wants. Start slow and build you herd up.

[DamnearaFarm]

Thanks Barbara. I think alfalfa is all that King feeds their cattle as far as hay goes. Slow and easy is the way to go, especially since we've never had cattle before. :0)