We are beyond excited to announce that the registered Irish Dexter cows are here on the farm and settling in very nicely. We brought home two cows and five heifers, the first Saturday of July, from a lovely farm in Batavia, Ohio.
What are Dexters?
The Dexter originated in southern Ireland during the early 1800s. It was developed from the Kerry, an Irish dairy breed, by selecting for smaller size and improved beef quality. Standing 42 inches tall, at the hip, and weighing 700-900 pounds, Dexter cattle are some of the smallest cattle in the world. Although size is the breed’s most distinguishing characteristic, Dexters are a useful, productive, multi-purpose animal.
As a heritage breed, their characteristics have not changed from generation to generation. In other words, these are cows that you would find on your great grandfather’s farm. Once an endangered breed, they are now considered recovering as farmers embrace this breed for their efficiency on small fields.
What’s the beef like?
The good news with Dexter cattle, is that if you are accustom to ordering a quarter beef receiving limited cuts, a half side of a Dexter will give you more cut options. So instead of a small number of steaks and roasts with the Angus, you will have more steaks, flank, roasts, brisket, etc. Dexters are small in size but give you more cut options.
Hanging weights are 350 pounds on average for Dexters compared to our Angus beef handing weights of 450 pounds. The Dexters are more efficient converting grass to muscle than the modern Angus which are bred to grow best on grain. Overall, Dexters are a perfect fit for our farm as we are committed to always offer grass fed and grass finished beef.
What’s next?
As we start over with a new purebred herd, Sunnyrock Farm will not have beef available until 2027. This fall, the girls will be bred for spring 2025 calves. The calves will take two years to finish on our pasture. Cattle certainly is a long game.
Until next time, I hope you’ll continue to follow along!