Apple Prairie Irish Dexter Cattle

On our farm we raise registered Irish Dexters. They are a smaller breed of cattle. But are not considered to be a miniature cow. In order to be a mini, you need to have an original breed. Irish Dexters are originally from Ireland.

Irish Dexters are horned or polled, with some people preferring to dehorn them. Dexters come in Black, Red or Dun. A milk cow can yeild more milk for its weight than any other breed. The daily yield averages 1 to 3 gallons per day with a butterfat content of 4 to 5 percent. It is possible to have yields of cream up to one quart per gallon. The cream can be skimmed for butter or ice cream. How about putting it into your coffee?

The first recorded knowledge of Dexters in America is when more than two hundred Dexters were imported to the US between 1905 and 1915.

The native home of the Dexter is in the southern part of Ireland where they were bred by small land holders and wandered the mountainous region in a mostly unmanaged state.

In recent years there has been a worldwide renewed interest in Dexter cattle. Irish Dexters do well in hot as well as cold climates and have no problem being outdoors year round, needing only a windbreak, shelter and fresh water. Fertility is high and calves are born in the field without problems.

They are dual purpose or triple purpose, being raised for both milk and meat and sometimes oxen. Dexters are a wonderful old-fashioned family cow. Pound for pound, Dexters cost less to get to the table, economically turning forage into rich milk and quality lean meat.

We are so glad we made the decision to get this small breed of cattle. Our kids do a lot of the chores and feeding around here. How nice is it for them to be able to work with an easy to manage breed of cattle? Don't get me wrong, kids need to still be watchful and keep in mind that they are dealing with cattle. They could still get their toes stepped on and you don't want to be in their path if the cows are pushing each other around!

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(picture coming soon)

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