[paiger34]

I breed dexters and I have to say that reading these posts, not all Dexter breeders share the same opinions that have been expressed here. If you want to breed your Dexter to something else….Go Ahead !!!

I would be very careful on what you choose. Typically you go the other way….Full size cows to a Dexter bull. I can say that in the 6 years that have been breeding Dexters that only calf that I had to pull was from a Dexter cow that I bought that was bred to and Angus. It was a breach and the vet figured that the calf was too big to turn and engage prior to the birth.

Look at the birth weight of the bull. before you select one. Most AI bulls have that info. Look for a small birth weight on his side. Galloway, small Angus , small Limo and small Herefords do make good crosses.

Going the other way (breeding Dexter Bull to full size cows) will yield a calf that will be about 3/4size of the Dam. So if the cow is 1200 lbs that calf will be about 900 lbs. I sold a Dexter bull to a guy in WA because he raised locker beef. He was putting him on 20 Angus cows to get some smaller sides of beef due to customer demands.

Hope this helps …….

Chris Ricard
Celestial Farms
http://users.adelphia.net/~ricards/index.htm

 

[paiger34]

You have to realize that the only difference between the shortleg Dexters and long leg is just that, the length of the leg. (The cannon bone to be specific.) Short leg animals have the same size body on the smaller legs. I have heard that short leg animals are more prone to leg and feet problems, as they get older due to the fact that you have the same body mass on the smaller legs.

My Dexter calves are a lot larger than most. My average birth weight is over 50 lbs with the largest last year being 59 lbs. The wean weight of my dexters is between 400 and 420 at 6 months old. But my bull is 47 inches tall and weighs 1260 lbs.

As for the Devon, that would be a good mix just watch the birth weight of the bull. If you are breeding with AI use a 2 shot Lud. and it will be more effective.

Chris

 

[paiger34]

If you are going to issue a warning make sure that you too are conveying the entire truth. First not all short leg Dexter carry the dwarf gene and they can be tested, as I am sure that you are aware, for that gene. The only way to get a bulldog calf is to have to carriers bred together.

As for the breeders not conveying that information….. It is readily available on the American Dexter Cattle Assoc. web site including the entire white paper that was delivered in Aus in 2002. a little reaserch and you would find it and I am sure that if questioned any “reputable” breeder that would be more than happy to share that info with you.



Chris Ricard
Celestial Farms