Dexter cattle information:
Dexter cattle are a dual-purpose breed providing beef and milk and are the smallest of the European cattle breeds, being about half the size of a traditional Hereford and about 1/3 the size of a Holstein milking cow. They typically have horns but have developed a more popular polled (no horns) strain. Mature cows weigh between 6-700 lbs and measures between 36 to 42 inches at the shoulder and mature bulls weigh around 1000 lbs and are 38 to 44 inches at the shoulder. They are solid in color either black, red, or dun. Their horns are small and thick and grow outward with a forward curve on the male and upward curve on the cow. They were considered a rare breed of cattle, until recently, but are now considered a recovering breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The Dexter breed originated in Ireland.
Beef produced by the dexters are small cuts of high quality lean meat with little waste. The expectable average dress out is 50 to 70 percent.
Dexters produce a rich milk that has a high butterfat content of 4% and the quality of the milk is similar to that of a Jersey. The milk is more naturally homogenised than other milk due to the smaller fat globules. Dexters can produce 2 to 2.5 gallons per day.
The cows are exceptionally good mothers and often hide their calves almost from birth. They will produce enough milk to feed 2–3 calves, and will willingly nurse other calves. They are known for easy calving. Dexter bulls are sometimes used to breed to larger breed first calf heifers to eliminate birthing problems. Heifers mature young and can be put to the bull at 15-18 months of age. Dexters are noted fir their longevity and can live up to 25 years and should breed regularly for 14 or more years.
Dexter cattle can carry Chondrodysplasia, a form of dwarfism that results in shorter legs than non-affected Dexters. Dexters with Chondro have 6–8 inche shorter legs than non-affected Dexters. Avoid breeding two Chondro affected Dexters together. There is a 25% chance that the fetus can abort prematurely. A DNA test is available to test for Chondro gene by pulling tail hairs from the animal.
Dexters can also be affected with PHA (Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca) an incomplete formation of the lungs with accumulation of a serum fluid in various parts of the tissue of the fetus. Unlike Chondro, which has many physical signs, PHA shows no outward signs and is only possible to detect through DNA testing. As with Chondro, PHA affected Dexters should not be bred together.
There are 3 Dexter cattle associations in which they can be registered:
Legacy Dexter Cattle Registry http://legacydextercattleregistry.com/
American Dexter Cattle Association http://www.dextercattle.org/
Purebred Dexter Cattle Association http://www.purebreddextercattle.org/
Beef produced by the dexters are small cuts of high quality lean meat with little waste. The expectable average dress out is 50 to 70 percent.
Dexters produce a rich milk that has a high butterfat content of 4% and the quality of the milk is similar to that of a Jersey. The milk is more naturally homogenised than other milk due to the smaller fat globules. Dexters can produce 2 to 2.5 gallons per day.
The cows are exceptionally good mothers and often hide their calves almost from birth. They will produce enough milk to feed 2–3 calves, and will willingly nurse other calves. They are known for easy calving. Dexter bulls are sometimes used to breed to larger breed first calf heifers to eliminate birthing problems. Heifers mature young and can be put to the bull at 15-18 months of age. Dexters are noted fir their longevity and can live up to 25 years and should breed regularly for 14 or more years.
Dexter cattle can carry Chondrodysplasia, a form of dwarfism that results in shorter legs than non-affected Dexters. Dexters with Chondro have 6–8 inche shorter legs than non-affected Dexters. Avoid breeding two Chondro affected Dexters together. There is a 25% chance that the fetus can abort prematurely. A DNA test is available to test for Chondro gene by pulling tail hairs from the animal.
Dexters can also be affected with PHA (Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca) an incomplete formation of the lungs with accumulation of a serum fluid in various parts of the tissue of the fetus. Unlike Chondro, which has many physical signs, PHA shows no outward signs and is only possible to detect through DNA testing. As with Chondro, PHA affected Dexters should not be bred together.
There are 3 Dexter cattle associations in which they can be registered:
Legacy Dexter Cattle Registry http://legacydextercattleregistry.com/
American Dexter Cattle Association http://www.dextercattle.org/
Purebred Dexter Cattle Association http://www.purebreddextercattle.org/