Dual Purpose Breed

Good things come in small packages.

*Photo of "The Girls"*

  Despite their small size, Dexters are excellent milkers.  Although some cows have produced as much as 5 gallons of milk in a day, most will consistently give 1-2 gallons.  The milk is rich.  Butterfat levels average 4% to 5%.  Yields of cream up to one quart per gallon can be achieved.  Much depends upon the individual animal, her condition, size and feed.  In some areas and seasons, feeding just grass or grass products will produce all the milk needed.

Dexters have rapid growth and mature early.  Dexters are also good beef animals, yielding small cuts of high quality LEAN meat, with a good proportion of meat to bone.  Bulls on an intensive feeding program reach satisfactory slaughter size by 12 months; steers are normally finished at 18 months.  Average dress out is 50 to 60 percent.  The beef is slightly darker than commercial beef and is tender and tasty.

*Photo of GRR Sir William IV (18 mo old)*

At Green River Ranch, for example, we slaughtered a 22 month old short-legged Dexter steer.  After 5 weeks of graining, we ended up with 200 pounds hanging weight.  We netted 138 pounds of beef once it was cut and wrapped.  The butcher (Elk Grove Meat Service, Elk Grove, CA) graded the meat between choice and prime with good ribeye marbling.
 
 
 

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