Dexter Cattlegirlslinedup2

(What follows has been lifted wholesale from the American Dexter Cattle Association website)

Dexter Cattle

“The native home of the Dexter is in the southern part of Ireland where they were bred by small land holders and roamed about the shelter less mountainous districts in an almost wild state of nature. The first recorded knowledge of Dexters in America is when more than two hundred Dexters were imported to the US between 1905 and 1915. In recent years there has been a worldwide surge of interest in Dexter cattle. They thrive in hot as well as cold climates and do well outdoors year round, needing only a windbreak, shelter and fresh water. Fertility is high and calves are dropped in the field without difficulty. They are dual purpose, being raised for both milk and meat. Dexters are also the perfect 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…”

Guidelines

“The ideal three year old Dexter bull measures 38 to 44 inches at the shoulder and weighs less than 1000 pounds. The ideal three year old Dexter cow measures between 36 to 42 inches at the shoulder, and weighs less than 750 pounds.

There are two varieties of Dexters, short legged and long legged. Milk and beef production and other characteristics are generally the same for both types. Dexters come in Black, Red or Dun. Dexters are horned or polled, with some people preferring to dehorn them.”

Milk

“A milking cow can produce 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. Yields of cream up to one quart per gallon are possible. The cream can be skimmed for butter or ice cream.”

Beef

“Animals mature in 18 to 24 months and result in small cuts of high quality lean meat, graded choice, with little waste. The expected average dress out is 50 to 60 percent and the beef is slightly darker red than that of other breeds.”

“The origin of the Dexter is quite obscure. The common assumption has been that the Dexter breed was derived from the Kerry breed or that it was a cross between the Kerry and some other breed, perhaps the Devon. It has also been claimed that a “Mr. Dexter”, agent to Lord Hawarden, was responsible for developing this Irish breed by selection from the “best of the mountain cattle of the district”.

In January 1887, the “Farmer’s Gazette” of Dublin published the first register of “Pure Kerry Cattle and Dexters” in Ireland. This first Register included 46 Kerry bulls, 100 Kerry cows, and only 10 Dexter cows. It did not include any Dexter bulls. The Royal Dublin Society acquired rights from the publishers of the Farmer’s Gazette for this Register. In 1890, the cattle with the original numbers assigned to them, were thus included in Volume One of the “Kerry and Dexter Herd Book”, as published by the Royal Dublin Society in Ireland….”

For continued in depth history see:American Dexter Cattle Association web site.

Dexter cattle have steadily increased in popularity in America

“…through the years as indicated by the increasing number of registrations and members in the Association. In 1952 there were only 38 Owner/Breeders located in 18 different states. By year-end in 1982 there were a total of 183 Owner/Breeders located in 41 different states and two Canadian Provinces. By year-end in 2005 there were a total of 797 American Dexter Cattle Association members located in 45 different states and four Canadian Provinces. Table 1 provides a summary of Dexter registrations over the years.

Table 1. Summary of Dexter Registrations

Year Herd Book No. # of Dexter Bulls # of Dexter Cows Total Entries
1920 I 63 260 323
1949 1 (2nd Printing)     471
1956 II 87 147 234
1959 III 66 155 221
1966 IV 110 265 375
1977 V 209 369 578
1978 V (update #1) 53 106 159
1979 V (update #2) 30 61 91
1980 V (update #3) 32 65 97
1981 VI – 1981 Section 27 76 103
1982 VI – 1982 Section 61 139 200
1983 VII 53 137 190
1984 VIII 57 138 195
1985 IX 47 172 219
1986 X 27 108 135
1987 XI 78 203 281
1988 XII 89 180 269
1989 XIII 115 264 379
1990 XIV 136 298 434
1991 XV 162 341 503
1992 XVI 142 323 465
1993 XVII 179 469 648
1994 XVIII 225 529 754
1995 XIX 158 437 595
1996 XX 164 510 674
1997 XXI 139 474 613
1998 XXII 180 531 711
1999 XXIII 186 495 681
2000 XXIV 197 655 852
2001 XXV 240 697 937
2002 XXVI 256 748 1004
2003 XVII 376 1014 1390
2004 & 2005 XVIII 485 1271 1756
2006 XXIX 387 1090 1477


In addition to the American Dexter Cattle Association, other Dexter cattle associations are found throughout the world including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Norway, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.”