Molly and I

Dexter cattle are one of the smaller breeds and are best used for a homestead milking cow but can also be used for meat or draft purposes. The breed is believed to have originated in Ireland. The first American imports arrived in 1905 and the registry was founded in 1911.

Dexter's have many desirable characteristics. They are very hardy animals, thriving in both hot and cold climates with little difficulty. Most are gentle, intelligent and easily trained, either as a pasture animal or a show animal. Dexters have interesting personalities and are relatively easy keepers which can live on a half acre per head of good pasture. Dexters are excellent grazers capable of turning indifferent vegetation into milk and leaving the pasture the better for it.

Typically cows are between 38 and 48 inches in shoulder height at three years of age, and weigh approximately 750 pounds or more. Bulls are slightly larger at  and weigh in around 1000 pounds when mature. The animals come in both short and long legged types and in three colors, black, red and dun although black is the most predominate color.

Dexters produce both meat as well as milk. The meat cuts are small in size in comparison to other breeds and the small carcass size is convenient for the home freezer.

Their size and versatility makes them a good family milk cow choice.

*Partially adapted from the American Dexter Association web site

At Dayspring Farm we periodically have breeding animals for sale. Call or e-mail us and let us know your needs.