About our Dexter Cattle
Dexter cows are a long lived and sturdy breed of cattle it is not unusual to still be breeding at 16 years; they are also great mothers and enjoy being a mum. It is important that Dexter’s do not get too fat or to skinny. Cattle should be sleek and well fed but not bulgingly fat as this affects their fertility, some feeds can also affect this when eaten in excess such as clover and GM grains. Dexter's vary in traits eg some are more beefy or more milky.
Dexter bulls produce small calves therefore reducing calving problems associated with first time calves.
Dexter's are a dual purpose breed great for both Meat and milk. They are not a commercial beef breed as they are slower to grow out. Therefore the time it takes to grow out produces more flavour. It is said that they have the highest natural hormone level of any breed which contributes directly to consistently tender and slightly marbled delicious award winning beef. At around 18 months a grass fed steer should produce at least a 175kg carcass on the hook; at 30 months it should be at around 235kg. They also have the added bonus of less bone mass to meat ratio along with a higher proportion of eye muscle area per 100kg of body weight compared to other breeds. Dexter's take half the feed of normal cattle so their feed conversion rate is at around one third better than normal cattle.
Polled Dexter's
Genetically natural polled is the animal that will not grow horns it takes at least one parent to pass on polling but they can sometimes grow small loose scurs which are not attached to the scull. Dehorned parents cannot produce a naturally polled offspring.
Dehorned is where horns have been removed 'both male and female can have horns'
We are currently in the process of testing our herd for a genetic mutation that is recessive causing inflammation of the lungs via excessive fluid causing a lethally deformed calf it is called Pulmonary Hyperplasia and Anasarca. It is a disease that is through most breeds of cattle throughout the world and it takes both parents as carriers to produce an affected calf that is not able to be born naturally so potentially it kills not only the calf but also Dam. If only one parent carries the gene it can be passed on as a carrier to the offspring. So far we have tested most of our herd to find they are PHA free.
PHA is also present in many other popular breeds, all though Dexter’s were allowed for some time to be graded up from foundation stock this is thought not to be the way PHA arrived in the breed but through a random Genetic mutation.
We ensure our cattle sold are free of this either by testing or inheritance from Sire and Dam. Dexter's can have short legs or long legs [chondrodysplasia] is the cause of short legs].
It is a true dwarfism mutation as in the Human form and poses no ill effect to the cow.
Short legs should not be bred together as it is a dwarfism deformity that will cause a one in four chance of a stillborn deformed calf. It is safe to breed a short leg with a long leg and a long leg with a long leg.
We have been working on a theory that the tint of a calves coat colour in black calves shows its recessive colour but without time or a genetic test we are yet to prove this theory but we are confident we will confirm this though it will take many more years of breeding to find that out.
Dexter's impact on the land is much less than larger breeds this applies especially to farm as with steeper slopes and wetter ground they eat a wider range of grasses and plants grazing lightly.
Bovine Johnes disease (BJD) is a bacterium that can survive for up to 2 years after cattle have been removed, in swampy or wetter farms that have poor mineral deficient acidic soils. Cattle are usually infected as calves through infected manure. The animal gradually wastes away as it is unable to absorb water or nutrients. We moved our herd from Western Australia in 2009. Western Australia has managed to keep out BJD with very strict disease management. We believe our property is BJD free but we are about to embark on a herd testing programme to control and get our accreditation to join cattle map.
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Dexter cattle are small, friendly and efficient ancient Irish breed of cattle decedents from the Celtic or Kerry cattle and are the only naturally occurring miniature breed of cattle. Over the centuries these hardy little beasts have lived in close harmony with their masters.
Often In the freezing snow covered highlands of Ireland during winters the house cow would be kept in the hut with its owner safe-guarding it and their valuable milk supply. They went on to be pets to the rich and powerful as the English took property from the Irish.
In the world of today we covert them for their great feed conversion and easy manageability along with companionship and their quality produce.
With Dexter's every birth is a lottery, Dexter's come in Black, Red and Dun. Also long and short leg as well as polled, Scurred and Horned. With any combination liable in any one birth depending on its genetic makeup.
Until recently Dexter's were 'at risk' of becoming endangered in Australia, however through a concerted effort by committed breeders we have reversed that status and have a good genetic pool to breed from.
What Colour is That? |
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| DUN | BLACK | RED |
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All are part of the wonderful surprise a Dexter can give; |
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