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About Irish Dexter Cattle
The following information comes from the
American Dexter Cattle Association's Web
Site:
Dexters
are one of the smallest breeds of cattle and are a dual purpose
breed believed to have originated in Ireland. The first American
imports arrived in 1905 and the registry was founded in 1911.
The American Dexter possesses
many desirable characteristics. It is a very hardy animal,
thriving in both hot and cold climates with little difficulty. It
is tractable and easily trained, either as a pasture animal (kind
on fencing) or a show animal (great with children and young
adults). It is a thrifty animal and capable of thriving on a half
acre per head of good pasture, given the typical Dexter's small
size.
Registered cows measure between
36 and 42 inches in shoulder height at three years of age, and
weigh approximately 750 pounds. Bulls are slightly larger at 38 to
44 inches shoulder height, and weigh in around 1000 pounds. The
breed comes in three colors, predominately black, but also in red
and dun.
Dexters produce both meat and milk. The meat has a delightful
unique taste and the cuts are small in size in comparison to the
larger breeds. It is ideally suited to a boutique meat market or
the home freezer. For their size Dexters are prolific milkers.
They can easily rear two calves at a time and have the potential
to be used for commercial dairy purposes.
Their size and versatility
makes them an ideal smallholder’s cow.
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