The Perfect Homestead Mini Meat Cow - The Dexter Cattle

What is the best breed of meat cattle for your homestead? If you are looking for a great backyard meat producer, the small sized Dexter cattle may be right for you!
Dexter cattle are smaller in size, eat less than average cattle, and are a fantastic dual purpose breed, giving a homesteader both meat and milk from just the grass you have in your backyard!
In this video, we answer all your questions about the dexter cattle.
How big do dexter cows get? How much does a dexter cow eat? How much meat do you get from a dexter cow? Find out all about this awesome backyard breed of cow!
Morgan Tempelton from Aradia Farms in CT shows us her herd of dexter cattle. Morgan raises Dexter for meat, and she sells her beef at the farmers market.
If you want to learn more about Morgan and her farm, Aradia Farm, visit their website - aradiafarm.com/

[@katielakefarmandcottages5685]

We have two dexter cows. We milk them and raise their offspring for beef. We slaughter at 13 months of age and they are dressing out at 325 lb an animal. We wean the calves at nine months. When we want to milk we pen the calves away from cows overnight. Milk in morning and leave calves with moms all day.

[@eastxbbqman]

Is that 325 lbs of yield per animal?

[@mrswabhi6394]

Please don t kill cows do not give pain to cows .. God wony forgive u i am saying u will get so bad misery in life. No one will help you

[@JohnSmith-yc6uv]

When you say "dressing out", you mean you get 325lbs of meat?

[@katielakefarmandcottages5685]

@@JohnSmith-yc6uv Yes. If we don’t neuter the bulls we get about 50lbs more meat at the same age.

[@big-d7756]

​@JohnSmith-yc6uv usually dressing out around here is hanging weight. So no head, feet guts and stuff. If hanging weight is 400 you can expect 240lbs or so of meat

[@joshc7182]

I watched this video, realized that Aradia Farm is only an hr away from me so we went down that way to talk to Mr Templeton. Now we have 2 Dexter heifers getting ready to be AI'ed end of this summer. Jim is a really nice guy the animals are great stock; healthy and smart. We've halter broke them and are are in the process of yoke training them to pull small amount of firewood, hay, a cart etc.

[@davidferguson8183]

Dexter cattle originated in Ireland where I'm from! 😁

[@paulydwaboutit4326]

Nobody cares

[@haileyjones8135]

@@paulydwaboutit4326 sour puss

[@FarmerP]

Hi from the Uk. I have been rearing Dexter’s since 1994, There are a number of reasons we chose the breed over the more common continental or even Beef shorthorns. After rearing over 200 I can still recommend the breed for smaller holdings, sheep fencing is good enough, they thrive on rough grazing, convert it into fantastic beef with the minimum of interference from me.

[@reneek8223]

Can you site a good source for fencing please? Thank you.

[@FarmerP]

@@reneek8223 Only locally to myself I’m afraid, I would look up your local saw mills or fencing contractors and negotiate a sensible price. Be aware mind, you get what you pay for. I use pressure treated creosote posts, 20% more than tanalised but last twice as long.

[@bradymcphail9690]

I just found your channel, I’m hooked! We are city folk getting ready to move to the farm life at 60 yr. old. I was a farm kid about 45 years ago. I’m so excited about Dexter cattle and a couple of pigs and goats and chickens. Thank you for your channel, I’m going to be watching a ton from you. And learning like a sponge!

[@TractorsandTireSwings]

Thanks for representing the Dexters, we love our Dexters! They are so perfect for a homestead. I would say that a huge perk is that they are dual purpose, so you can have a milk cow and a beef cow with one herd. We typically only keep them a little over 2 years before we butcher them. I think the temperament of the cows depends on how much they are handled. We spend a lot of time with our cattle, and they are all very mild tempered.

[@Guildbrookfarm]

Very cool video. We are looking into Jerseys and Dexters and this has been helpful. Thanks!

[@lovemorefarm2023]

Thanks for being so informative and concise. So many homesteaders ramble on and on about personal or off-topic stuff. Great video.

[@ameenjafri5011]

Jibyuiihuui usi ka it i

[@missmamtube]

I really enjoyed viewing this video on the Dexter Cow. Thank yo so very much...gives we some great ideas. Blessings to you all and yours. Shalom!

[@tcautry]

ThanksAus, best video Yet. I been looking into Dexter for a while! You help answer a ton of questions!

[@KC-ql9xg]

Great information, as always. We're a few years off from cows still, but I'm already preparing.

[@steveb9894]

Awesome video! I just bought a house with a small yard and was bummed not having cattle but I do think these little guys will do just fine! I’m used to jerseys but small farm small cows makes sense! Thank you

[@larrymoore6640]

Good video. You asked a lot of good questions and the explained in a real down to earth way. Thank you both....

[@aislingmeehan9862]

My friend just told me about mini cows, and I'm loving this idea! I want some!

[@agromarketdz5399]

me to

[@erism.4800]

I have been looking at Dexters for a year. Definitely would like a couple in the future!

[@dirty6209]

I had absolutely no interest in cattle, until I watched this video and found about the Dexter cows. Thanks for the video

[@deaganachomarunacathasaigh4344]

Dexter cattle originate here in Ireland. They're still a commonly used cow breed. They're well tempered and a fine animal. Cows are about 300 kg and bulls are generally 544 kg One of our most beautiful native breeds. Dexters along with the Kerry cattle, Irish Moiled, Bó Riabhach ( extremely rare irish breed) and Droimeann make fine farm animals. The Kerry cattle are dairy cattle and produce great milk. We also have a native goat breed The Old Irish goat and 2 native sheep breeds, the Galway white head sheep and the Mayo blackface mountain sheep. There's 5 native equines being the Irish donkey, Connemara Pony, Kerry bog pony, Irish Draught and Irish sport horse. One native chicken breed, the Irish pyle but they're extremely rare nowadays. They were polluted buy the blue pyle. Nice to see a star breed of Éire flourishing in another country.

[@foodiesunited3814]

Interesting

[@l2iowacowgirl893]

I love my Dexters they are great cows i milk twice a day and will be putting my 1st steeers in the freezer this year

[@izak8218]

Howd it go??

[@moniquem783]

Hi Lisa, What kind of yield do you get milking them? And do you know the buttermilk content?

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

Wow - thank you for this! I have heard of the Dexters but didn't know they were smaller. I have been looking into mini jerseys for milking but it would be great to have a dual purpose cow. They may be easier and less expensive than a jersey too. At least a year away from doing anything with cattle but your videos have helped me tremendously with research stage of the it all. Good Job!

[@Homesteadyshow]

Glad they are helping!

[@patriciamoran1278]

I love it when you do videos like this. Thanks

[@cassieoz1702]

Mini herefords are nice to. Dexters are also very milk-able. Galloways are also compact, and are non-selective grazers

[@barking.dog.productions1777]

1st time viewer... Instant sub, bell, like. I am ready to move to my new homestead retirement property. This woman is extremely sweet and this is a great video very informative. I have been looking at many small cow breeds, and the Dexter is at the top of the short list. looking at other breeds as well water buffalo. yak, etc.

[@redneckbarbi1]

I have been planning to get a mini jersey but you have def made me want to research MiniDexters for the dual purpose!!

[@Out-to-Pastor]

We are getting Dexter's because of this video right here. We are only getting 2 for the land we have, but this video started my journey on getting some small meat cows

[@candicechristensen1753]

Good information! Really like this video!

[@LumnahAcres]

Thanks for the great info!

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

Great video guys! I am moving Upstate NY I want to get a couple of these after watching your video! This gonna be my first farm! I am so excited!!

[@matthewgodwin70]

Excellent video! Very informative for us newbees!

[@anna-koenimitlivogallehend9107]

Lovely video, I also chose Dexter as my first cattle.

[@annekendziora9114]

sounds like the perfect start to our family farm!

[@jackmellon8801]

i've never been so excited by cows thanks!

[@RemoteTactical]

Great info, thanks, Homesteady! We're looking at our first dairy (mini jersey) soon too. We wanted meat cow eventually.

[@Homesteadyshow]

AWESOME! love that!

[@bighammer587]

Good job Morgan... great video. Makes me wanna raise some Dexter

[@l2iowacowgirl893]

I raise Dexters they are fantastic!! I raise for milk and meat. Very easy to handle and fantastic milk. I think you get what you pay for. I bought 2 cows for breeding now I have 2 cows 1 breed heifer and 2 bull calves soon to be steered! I hand milk and all my cows are halter broke. Out of everything I have on my farm (homestead) they are my favorite! I raise chickens, Muscovy ducks, American Guinea Hogs and Dexters. Hopefully all the meat are family will eat will come from out farm! So excited!

[@Homesteadyshow]

Good to hear! I really want to add cows to the mix!

[@cinnamon1209]

How much dose a dexter cow cost on average?

[@l2iowacowgirl893]

I have raised Holstein Jersey cross for meat. He was a bottle baby calf and very sweet. He was hard to put weight on he just kept growing taller. I was happy to fill my freezer with the meat. But Dexters ard my breed of choice!

[@ne1273]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@Cu_Chulainn_Kennel]

Great video, and great questions

[@brocknspectre1221]

Aradia Farm, blessed be!

[@dazie1245]

Oh ya you got me on a Dexter roll its an all in one animal. Way cool

[@StoneTrees]

Good info as usual.

[@cheriemartin3767]

Horses seldom use shed in storm either.. Our use it to get out of heat and away from bugs.. great video

[@acoatofgold5627]

what an awesome video. i've been considering goats rather than cows but homogenized milk is a plus. maybe i'll do dairy goats or sheep and then two dexter cows, one for meat and one for breeding. as a single person i want to do all of this on my own before i begin looking for a partner or having kids. this was well timed. love the vids, will subscribe. - jacob

[@TheKristenGibson]

Why homogenized?

[@waterhead001]

There is a cattle farm here in Vermont where I live. His cows are a Dexter Angus mix.

[@MoneyTakerSC2]

Thank you for the video. I prefer mini angus (ABerdeen) because I am worried about the horns.

[@TheHollabbeyHomestead]

If we have cows we will only have mini’s. it’s the way to go!!! :) great video

[@JohnSmithJrVT]

Aust We have 4 dexters with two more about ready to join us. We milk and raise for beef. We had our milk tested 5.4% butter fat and 3.24% protein. Great drinking and wonderful for making cheese. Dexters are a great small scale choice. You can see ours on Facebook just search wandering brook farms we are in VT. Actually got our last dexter from CT.

[@Homesteadyshow]

WOW thats great milk!

[@rmar127]

I’d never go through 8 liters of milk a day so I could use the curd to make cheese and feed the whey to the pigs. Win win. 😃😃

[@skarletteortiz7304]

Awesome video. Awesome video. Very good conversation tone, very detailed yet straight to the point. Percect, really. Thank you both. I subscribed and I'm going into Aradia Farms web page... thanks

[@Aethuviel]

I really want to have a cow or two on our future homestead, currently trying to work out how much land we'll need (we're very much on a budget). While I really like water buffalo (they are fairly small, like a medium Jersey), but since we're in Scandinavia, I'm also looking at the Swedish mountain cattle, a heritage dairy breed from the north of Sweden. They are the size of the Dexter, 120 cm or 48 inches at the shoulders, but my husband is still skeptical about all the space and work a cow would take.

[@kristianking5828]

Thanks Morgan

[@jodysappington7008]

thank you so much

[@rebeccac4751]

Great info!

[@n3rdst0rm]

Was looking into raising cows good to know.

[@lolitabonita08]

excellent information..will like to know how you breed the cows...thanks

[@ubuntunewb]

Have you looked into Lowline Angus as well? I actually started looking into the smaller cattle this weekend after hearing about a ranch in Central Texas that breeds Lowline Angus with Wagyu.

[@Homesteadyshow]

Awesome thanks for the Tip Ryan!

[@dirtroadfarm.4024]

I love my Dexters! Great for milk cows or meat! Such a hardy breed.

[@BenNewman1776]

Dude you have a really good ear for music, you have really good songs in all your vids.

[@Homesteadyshow]

thanks, Ben!

[@danielmataruka985]

@@Homesteadyshow How is the musician?

[@zainprince1400]

Moto

[@SuerteDelMolinoFarm]

Greetings from the LooseNatural farm in Andalusia

[@singleman1986]

All good advice and info. I bought 2 Dexter cows about 10 years ago that had been in with a bull. Only one dropped a calf, but they were a pleasure to have and handle. Not all that 'friendly', but certainly far from aggressive. I'll be getting more in future.

[@Homesteadyshow]

Good to know!

[@oleathen]

I wish I could get Dexters there are wild black Angus around my farm in the. Bahamas very large and very wild

[@fightingbear8537]

Do you have little cowboys for the cows? Great video! Thanks!

[@rock_ok]

the biggest question of em all do they mature fast.?

[@1gr8lpta]

I am curious on how they would do in zone 7 - 7A North Alabama. I am so wanting a cow to milk and for meat.

[@owl6365]

I’m in Alabama, did you go with the Dexter?

[@meghoughton562]

My big question is vet bills for these guys. Anyone know what that looks like?

[@Laufowler1980]

Great video. I have 5000 m2 land with gras and willows. I World like 2 have 2 dexters calfes, but im not sure the area is Big anouf to feed Them? Maybe just one Dexter and a goat? (Think the goat Will kill the willous though) Sincerly Lau.

[@artemiasalina1860]

So $1000 to raise one cow. Does that include the cost of purchasing the animal or is that just the cost of hay for 3 years at 5 mo. per year?

[@isaacezekielthecolorblindg7343]

ArtemiaSalina they cost 1000 alone by themselves

[@briimarie2218]

Mini cows can cost 2x as much as regular cows when purchasing. Any where from 1000-3000 but in the Long run are cheaper than full sized cows

[@archangel20031]

Is that one of those HUGE round bales or the small one a man can pick up and carry?

[@thomaskerr1019]

hi n gm im going to tell my bro about the dexter

[@rmar127]

Anybody ever run dexters and goats together. I’m looking at getting property in the future and am thinking of cograzing them together and rotating them around the property to help improve pasture quality

[@badgerbro1172]

I wish I could have a homestead

[@LizfollowsHIM]

Create a plan and work toward it. It will come true.

[@brandipiazza5420]

I want one

[@Polopony20.]

Question: Can you dehorn them/dull their horns? I would keep them (two or three) with my horses but i am worried about the cows stabbing them (even if by accident)

[@helensearle1896]

Some Dexters are naturally polled, depends on the strain.

[@timothyschweitzer8209]

Great videos, what do you use for sound recording?

[@Homesteadyshow]

Zoom and Rode mics

[@donnalewis3216]

Do they need grass

[@isaacezekielthecolorblindg7343]

How do you buy them?

[@Oak6]

So I'm confused. Is the only benefit of this breed that they're smaller and therefore take up less space?

[@CarlosDiaz-tl7hk]

I’m from Texas and i want to start getting into raising some cows. When I was growing up I used to have a bunch of Brahmans and zebu are these little ones any different?

[@justsomeplantwithinterneta7391]

Yes, very different.

[@justsomeplantwithinterneta7391]

Those are breeds designed for a warmer climate, tropical/subtropical diseases, etc.

[@scentsbyemebathbody3161]

What grass types do you grow for your dexters ?

[@barbeloite1262]

Too cute to eat.

[@nithih]

Can this breed survive in heat signature country like India

[@arnoldromppai5395]

I had a jersey for years I always bread her with a herford bull witch gave great beef, and id pick up a few cheap Holsten bull calfs from dairy farmers to also feed of her and have them for beef sure they are bigger boned but hay free beef is free, but she got old, I been looking for a Dexter heffer or a year old cow, but seems no one has any here in Thunder Bay Ont, Canada or the regen many farmers have never heard of dexters,

[@Homesteadyshow]

I hear so many good things about Herefords!

[@arnoldromppai5395]

Homesteady well they are the grade A beef here in North western Ont. Canada. they grow fast an put on a lot of meat in a short time.there a big animal but very easy to control. you don't need much of a fence. all I have ever used is 3/8 round rod 4 feet long with 1 live hot wire. for areas I fence in summer I use 3 foot long rods as winter the snow is deep and less the 4 feet high the wire gets under the snow. but not that good for milking

[@NorthlandSLC]

I bet they could be butchered on farm much easier saving that travel and processing cost for family meat. I wonder if they are A2 for milk.

[@dreamtime1730]

Are they Beef Cattle? Could you breed them with a Jersey or are the Jersey to big?

[@beastly2671]

You can breed a experienced dexter to just about anything

[@WhimsicalWonderFarm]

We had a Dexter for 8 hours lol she was pregnant and when they delivered her to us her water broke so she was gonna have a baby....hours upon hours the guys finally came back because she wasn't doing well...her baby was dead....I just told him I wanted my money back, it was too traumatizing. Great video!

[@Homesteadyshow]

UHG.. Sorry that is sad!

[@WhimsicalWonderFarm]

Thank you, yea it was sad...who knows maybe we well try again one day :)

[@summerland6397]

What grass?

[@gingeeta_creecha3401]

She’s got other fields for them to turn out to, it’s cold while they were filming. Getting ready to keep them near the barn and on hay bails for winter. Spring and summer they got fields to graze for days.

[@booksandbeans]

Cost of pair of Dexters of a heifer in calf? And how old are they when they loose quality?

[@Homesteadyshow]

Afraid I don't know yet... but may soon, I may wind up buying one of these, I loved the meat!

[@Commonmomhomeschooler]

Susan Beaulieu cost is going to very greatly by area and registered to on registered etc.. $500 on up to $4000... and dexters have produced easily into there late teens if not 20 range. I raised dexters last three years and recently sold mine off and purchased a jersey instead

[@kravyy]

Can you keep a small dexter cow with a large fleckvieh cow together...?

[@staceymiller1607]

мафия Биг Папи Т завинаги you can as long as there is no Dexter isn't able to be bred by the larger breed.

[@beastly2671]

Мафия Завинаги yes

[@charlesjacksoniii8787]

I am in Alabama, and I am looking into raiseing Dexter Cattle I am wondering how do I get started?

[@Homesteadyshow]

+Charles Jackson III find a local who has them, and get some hands on experience helping out!

[@charlesjacksoniii8787]

How much land do you need?

[@jimosullivan4866]

i agree with most of what she said, but you've got to feed cattle with corn from time to time, ie when grass and hay is not good , and in winter when your feeding hay alone,

[@lerouxeverson925]

cant you feed them wheat or barley fodder to replace the grass during the winter months.

[@treytheodore1844]

Actually their body isn’t “made” for corn or grain. She has it right, but quality hay and they’ll be fine.

[@andrewfree5580]

cattle as trey said are ruminates they eat grass, corn actually makes them sick

[@RIGHT-WING-PMP]

what do dexter cows say: oh moo god damn

[@chachaislife8467]

If you're Asian. 95%+ yeild back! We rarely waste anything.

[@JEREMIELEE]

👌👍

[@SawmillerSmith]

from a general observation from the video Dexter cows eat half as much but take longer to mature and are about half the size of a regular cow...from that I see no Savings of getting a Dexter cow for meat..Dexter cow eats half as much but it's half the size of a regular cow and takes longer to mature..maybe if you're going to use Dexter cow for milk and that could be plus..you don't get as much milk less feed ..I think I heard her say that the Dexter cow produces about 2 gallons of milk a day..a Jersey cow with probably produce 3 or 4 gallons a day..

[@Homesteadyshow]

The savings has to do with how much grass you have available. If you don't have any grass and your feeding a meat cow year round hay, your right, they eat half as much but last twice as long, so it is a wash. The key is in the grass. They need less, so if I had 1 regular size cow that needs more grass than I had at my property, and I then had to buy them hay through the summer, the Dexter can save you money during that period, as they need less grass, and thus if you have limited pasture, a Dexter can live off that more than a larger breed, and thus they can save you money through the summer months. Does that make sense? Plus the added bonus of the Dexter being completely grass fed, that is a bonus over some other breeds. They are not a perfect answer to all situations, but a great one for a small scale homestead looking to raise its own meat on limited pasture, kinda like us!

[@SawmillerSmith]

good point, if I remember correctly she said that a Dexter cow when he needed a half acre..as far as the regular cows having to have grain I've never fed any my cows grain.

[@hcn6708]

Moo?!

[@doubled473]

These are cute animals but in my opinion, not a great economical meat choice for a homestead. These mini cattle are roughly twice as much to purchase as their standard sized brethren. Also grass raised cattle have a relatively much lower FCR (feed conversion ratio) compared to many other meat producers such as pigs and chickens. Just some ‘food’ for though but they sure are cute.

[@Tiedye6336]

If I did it I would have a cow for milk and one for meat

[@MistressOP]

hmm. arent dexters dual purpose.

[@artrodgers3273]

My name is Dexter

[@stephaniewilliams242]

cute little cows but really? they run $1200- $1600 here. We have always raised a Holstein bottle calf for our beef. Pick it up for $85 in the spring raise it a year and half. Beautiful meat right in between beef and veal. I guess if you want to breed them and keep the heritage going but then why slaughter good valuable genetic?

[@Homesteadyshow]

Great points Stephanie, can't go wrong with an $85 investment that is done in a year and a half! Do they need grain?

[@arnoldromppai5395]

Stephanie Williams get rid of the bottles. to much time an work. see my vidio's to learn how I teach them to eat totaly on there own in a few days. I'm doing 3 right now. wow 85.00 I never pay that much. most years they are free if farmer knows you will take the a day or 2 after born. some years if there is a market for the bulls from the caltle trucks i may pay 50.00 as the truck will not come for a few. in 37 year never used a bottle ever never owned one

[@arnoldromppai5395]

Stephanie Williams 12 to 1600 is cheap for a full grown milk / beef cow. when I got my jury she was 3 an I paid back then 800.00 CND for her that's years ago to day any cow is 2000 CND. your paying live weight market value

[@stephaniewilliams242]

that is for calves here. I can get a bred Mini Jersey for $1600..

[@stephaniewilliams242]

We fed some grain but only because we had them with our dairy goats. Grain kept them out he barn. They were always sweet.

[@SawmillerSmith]

should be spell ''Dexter''

[@Homesteadyshow]

Thanks for the Typo catch!

[@kathleenernstpurpledragonk7800]

Silver streak lol