Dexters?

Anyone here have Dexters?

[Menglish]

I do and I love them. Wonderful beef, excellent dispositions etc. Truly fantastic critters.

[genebo]

I do and I love them. Great for small landholders.

[copperhead46]

I do, what can we help you with? There are several Dexter folks on here and we all love to brag on our cows.
P.J.

[Shygal]

how much beef do you get from one? How much milk and butterfat?

[sticky_burr]

butterfat is suppose to be ~4% small(easier to digest) globules. i have asked the question too apparently, they are too smart though one person had one that figured out it could lay down and get under a electric fence on its side

[linn]

I have three Dexters. I started out with a milk cow that DH got me one Christmas. I agree that they are very intelligent and my little cow is very vocal. All Dexters are not equal in the milk and beef department. Some breeders are breeding more for beefiness instead of a dual purpose animals. If you are looking for a family cow, make sure to check her pedigree. Some lines are much more milky than others.

[Menglish]

I can only go from my limited experience but our bulls when butchered between 20-24 months are averaging about 350 lbs of beef in the freezer. For as little fat as there is I am amazed at how juicy and tender it is. We feed almost 100% pasture and hay...just a little sweet feed now and again for a treat.

They are very smart and I have some that are very vocal. Most of the vocalization comes when they see me and it's close to feeding time. I haven't milked yet but I have a very sweet little heifer that I'm considering training to milk.

[copperhead46]

I don't milk mine, but I do raise them for beef. I usually butcher at 650 to 750 lbs and almost always get between 55 and 60 % for a hanging weight. I raise grass fed beef and have never had anyone who wasn't happy with the quality of the beef. You have to explain that they won't get a huge steak, but they will get a good one.

[RdoubleD]

The bloodlines that I run yield 65% or better when butchered at 24-28 months old. Sometimes they are Grass fed and other times I finish on grain. It just depends on customer demand and what time of the year it is. They hang at around 500lbs.

I have had some have a butterfat average of 6%, they produce about a gallon a day. Early in lactation they produce more but have there calf after weaning around 6 months or so that is what I get without the calf and if I keep milking 2AD that will hold but when I go to OAD milking they production will drop off. Some dry up others will keep at 1/2 gallon for as long as I have needed them to.