irish dexter cows(mini's)

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i recently saw an ad for irish dexter cows. have raised holstiens and jerseys. love jerseys and was planning on getting a lady for milking and raising a calf for beef. when my boys were young we never bought meat at the store. always raised our own. but now it's just my husband and i most of the time. went to a site that showed cow breeds and they sounded interesting and maybe just the right size for our use now. anyone have any experience with the breed. the info said that they have milk like jerseys, high butterfat content and the beef is lean. i live in new hampshire.would this breed be adaptable for here? anyone with any info out there would be appreciated. thanks, laura

-- laura cavallari (ladygoat13@aol.com), June 14, 2000

Answers

About two years ago I contacted a man who raised them. (saw an article in a mag.)all I can remember was that they must be made of gold. This man told me he was one of only six herda in the usa etc. I will not say how much he wanted because I don't want to run you off. The prices may be down now and the price might not be that high for you, but I'm a poor boy and can think of a thousand reasons not to buy one

-- Grant Eversoll (thegrange@earthlink.net), June 14, 2000.

Laura, We have Irish Dexters. They are great little cows--easy on the pasture and the fencing. We have had them for 1 year. We have had two calves born--no problems at all. I started milking this spring. The cow had never been milked before so we both learned together. I was getting 3 to 6 quarts a day with the calve nursing on the cow and only milking once a day. She is away from the farm right now--with the bull so I'm not milking but hope to resume when she comes back. The price of dexters have fallen significantly. They are about the same as a good jersey around here--MD. There are also quite a few breeders. They are out there and when you start looking, you'll find them without too much trouble. I can get more info for you, send me an e-mail. Gayle

-- Gayle (gvoshell@dol.net), June 15, 2000.

We've a Jersey/Dexter cross. When is the best time to breed the heifers? How old, I mean. I'm planning ahead: I've got a little over a yearling heifer.

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), June 15, 2000.

i've raised jerseys and holstiens in the past. i was always told that lady's should be 18 months for breeding. i imagine all cows are the same as to breeding age, but could be wrong about dexters. laura

-- laura cavallari (ladygoat13@aol.com), June 15, 2000.

Gayle, I too, would like more information on Irish Dexters. If you have information, please share it with me, too.

-- Laura Senderhauf (gsend@hotmail.com), June 16, 2000.


Try "www.dextercattle.org" For folks in the midwest, there's info on a national get-together this summer near Springfield, Mo. Sounds like a good place to get acquainted with some breeders.

-- Rog (flanders@probe.net), June 16, 2000.

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