raising Dexter cattle for beef: everything you ever wanted to know

[@GoldShawFarm]

This was a great video. I'm in the process of research adding a herd of dexters to our farm and your video answered most of my questions. Thank you!

[@robertholding701]

Thats how I found this blog , its when you mentioned getting Dexters for your farm.

[@EliseWood]

Same here

[@fauzycastilloschoonewolff2146]

You were watching this video because you want to raise cattle I saw the video of you that you wanted to raise cattle

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Aaron I am so happy you have visited Just a Few. Pete is a very knowledgeable farmer.

[@danielrd7493]

I think you ended up with the Scottish Highland breed, correct? Probably b/c the Northeast Kingdom can get ass cold. Regardless, super informative video on this particular breed.

[@Zombiecane]

I cannot describe how helpful these videos are. I’m in the process of starting a Dexter herd, and I’ve yet to have an unanswered question. Many, many thanks for your amazingly thorough, easygoing and simple style.

[@arnaubasulto4448]

How did it go?

[@danielrd7493]

@@arnaubasulto4448 Hard to answer when you're LARPing being a farmer

[@mikefrazer2305]

Pete.... Hi from Ireland..... keep Dexters myself and will be referring others here to your very informative videos

[@fionaglusiec1543]

Hi Mike, whereabouts in Ireland are you? Myself and my husband have been thinking of moving to Dexters but no idea where to start getting some. Any thoughts or leads greatly appreciated! (We are based in Co. Laois)

[@fionaglusiec1543]

@@mikefrazer2305 Thank you so much for all that information, really appreciate it! Very kind of you :)

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

"The Dexter originated in southern Ireland during the early 1800s and was developed from the Kerry, an Irish dairy breed, through selection for smaller size and improved beef qualities. The breed name came from “Mr. Dexter,” who promoted the cattle during the mid‑1800s. They became popular with smallholders in Ireland and England, who appreciated its efficiency in producing both milk and beef on limited acreage. Dexters were later imported to North America beginning in 1910." -The Livestock Conservancy. :) I love that I learn so much from your channel, and as you can see, it inspires me to learn more.

[@patcolvin3677]

Thanks for helping me keep memories of my childhood on the farm alive!

[@Ssloser1]

Hi Mr.Pete my name is Hudson and i love tractor videos.

[@bch5513]

Dexter farmer here. Fell in love with the breed 10 yrs ago. Great with kids is A#1 for me. Chillest animal on my whole farm is our old bull. Don’t get excited about anything except grain or tail.

[@1FunkyMammaJamma]

I got more information out of this one video than anyone could imagine. I wish I would have had professors that could lecture as well as this. Thank you.

[@steveash656]

Thank you so much. We have our first Dexter heifer, who is going to be part of our family. I do really look forward to tasting the beef. Kind regards from England. Steve.

[@oneperson5760]

Thank you for all the information in such an organized, simple format.

[@justincurtis9094]

Man this was great! My pawpaw left 70+ acres to the children Thanksgiving morning last year when he passed. Everyone is so bummed out, I absolutely love my pawpaw and spent 4-5 out of 7 days a week with him on his horse/cattle farms. I do miss him a lot but everyone else is taking it so hard that they just drive to the property and don’t want to look at it. So here we are nearly a year later and me and my cousin decided we should get some cattle and put out there. There is already a 5 acre pond, 2 winter barns, 2 hay barns, 3 pastures, and a few other larger buildings that are used for tractors and such. All the equipment has been sold off because the kids don’t want anything to do with it. The creek runs through all of the pastures from the first pasture and then off the mountain and the pond is spring fed year round. So it’s pretty good water. We were trying to find a good breed of cattle that would be easy to deal with. We also have a lot of homesteaders that live in the county and surrounding counties including myself, most of them with 3-5 children so 5-7 per household. You don’t see many Dexter cows where we live. Mostly Angus and Bedford. So we wanted to do something a little different and a smaller cow but we didn’t want to go “miniature”. I knew there was a cow and I couldn’t think of the name of it until my son was watching Dexter’s laboratory over the weekend 😆 then I said “OH, OH!! That’s the cow!!” So we are pretty sure we are going to get some dexters. We thought about 4-6 cows and 1 bull to start off with. I say we have a good thing to work with and have been talking about cattle to my aunts and uncles but no one wants to do the work so me and my cousin said we would. I have the most “experience” out of everyone so I’m going to take the lead as I helped pawpaw all summer and through the school year (I was homeschooled my whole life so I had tons of time) then I have a small 200 chicken meat bird house, 20 Duroc pigs, ducks, quail, laying hens, rabbits, etc…. So my wife, my self, and our three kiddos work that and I work with all my uncles for the family business and my wife homeschools the kiddos. So we are pretty much good to go. Are there any tips on what you would recommend? Should we get a mule to protect the cattle and calves from coyotes Instead of LGDs like we have on our homestead? Anything from anyone would help!! Thank you so much!

[@janetp5956]

What a kind person you are and therefore such a kind operation. Your herd is treated with such respect. Thank you!!!!

[@mmanut]

Enjoy hearing you explain the Dexter Breed, Thank You, Vinny 🇺🇸

[@VerticalConnectionsInc8422]

Thank you for the insightful and detailed information. I look forward to catching up on your videos and gaining a greater understanding of operating a cow/calf operation in the upper northeast.

[@cRaZyLaMa84]

Thank you so much for this its exactly what i was looking for and you answered all my questions. I liked this breed before but you have sold me on them now.

[@kristimckay4092]

I absolutely love this breed They are smart They love being petted and talked to

[@TheMysticBohemian]

Thank you for such a wonderful and informative video. I'm a Nubian goat woman but I'm looking to add two cows to my farm because I make cheese. Your video has shown me I can keep cows in the same 'natural' manner I keep goats. And now I'm really sold on the Dexter breed.

[@HisWayHomestead]

you definitely make it very appealing to raise dexters. If we had more land, I would want them for sure. Thanks Pete! You are such a great resource for information!

[@utot0210]

I wasn't that easy , I thought, just open the gate and leave them alone 🤣 thank you Pete you are the man , I love your videos

[@chrisbrackett9779]

I’m going back watching your old videos and all the questions I’ve had about Dexters you just answered. Thanks Pete I really enjoy Just a Few Acres Farm.

[@jasonvanderwalker2085]

This video was everything that I needed! Thank you so much for putting the information on this bred in such a great presentation!

[@russsherwood5978]

that was the most informative video on dexters cattle,, they have what i,m looking fer in cows when i start my farm in the next year or so,, thank ya fer the video

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

You're welcome Russ. Can't go wrong with Dexters.

[@McLeands]

Dear Pete, I cant begin to thank you for your content!!! My wife and I enjoy your content. I found your channel after getting interested in getting some chickens. Your GREAT! I love the idea of know where your food comes from, you bring this home. Keep putting our fantastic content and we will keep watching. Thanks for educating folks about farming. All the Best, Don

[@brianchavez6459]

What an incredibly informative video! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and strategies on raising Dexter's. I will be sure to follow you on here.

[@nathansmith5097]

man i cant wait to have my own cows one day. i was wanting the biggest cows possible until i found you. what an amazing breed. you have me sold on these little guys! love the passion you have for these amazing animals. your heard looks really healthy and happy!

[@karinlotz5732]

Was a very informative lesson about the Dexters, I really liked it an I learned quite a bit, thanks a lot! I do breed the Charolais here at my farm in Germany. I handle them exactly like you do it with your Dexters. Great job, go on doing that!

[@BottomDollarOutdoors]

Your videos are great. Y'all have been a big help in my journey to re-establish our family farm. Thank you for taking the time to inform and entertain us with the wonderful "dad jokes"!

[@tomhaffey1588]

Well done Pete. Thanks for breaking it all down and explaining how your plan all comes together. I enjoy listening to you and the passion you have for the livestock and farming.

[@UsmanFaraz854]

Nice video with good information. Love to see your dairy animals. Nice cows and love to see health

[@CloverfieldBehaviour]

Excellent video, nice to see animals being well cared for, thanks.

[@helichief]

Love your channel. We have started a small herd of black angus on 20 acres and have chickens already. Your videos have been really helpful for getting into farming.

[@andrewfree5580]

All I can say is wow, we have been my wife and I talking about raising dexters this presentation had the both of us excited we are subscribed Thanks

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Excellent, Andrew! Thanks for subscribing!

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

I have learned so much from you about livestock Mr. Pete. When Daddy and I were farming, we grew tobacco, grain and vegetables but never had livestock. Grandpa used to but by the time I came along, all his livestock was gone. A great example is Dexters. I really didn't know anything about them until I started watching your channel. Most people around here that raise cattle have Hereford, Angus or a cross of the two. There's no doubt they are gentle and friendly.

[@chasingmoonlightfarm]

Such an amazingly concise video!! As a newbie homesteader, looking into beef breeds...so so helpful!

[@elvisestevez5816]

Excellent! I have seen this video 3x over in the past 4 years. Very thorough given the time frame. All the best for a great Thanksgiving.

[@mcchupka9718]

Great video. I never get tired of your commentary and I always seem to learn something new. Makes me think.

[@billreal76]

WOW, Pete! This was an interesting and informative video.

[@Boarderczar]

Wow, so much info in a short time, I'll have to use this as future reference for my planned farm. Thank you.

[@kenhenke3693]

Great video Pete

[@helengrives8834]

I: really like the passion and care you put into your animals and farm. Thank you for the explanation.

[@nicolemyers8551]

Thank you for sharing! We literally just got dexters today 🎉 a mama & a calve for our 2 acre homestead. This has pretty much answered all my questions on them 😊 (we have Nigerian dwarf goats too, we have them separated right now, but once they get to know each other, we think they’ll get along nicely)

[@locustvalleyfarms7241]

Unlike all the other videos you ANSWERED my questions. Thank you peat!

[@HimWitDaHair98]

It's fascinating for me to hear an American describing the exact kind of suckler beef farming these cattle were bred for here in Ireland. If you milked you could make butter as good as Kerry Gold. "Donn" in Donn Dexter is Irish for brown so it's nice to see it stuck with the breed

[@matthewgrubbs3152]

Keep up the great work. Your videos are so packed full of information compared to these other farm videos on KZbin. Wish I would have found you before I started my farm. I wish you the best with your channel.

[@johndouglass3691]

I want cows...but I'm afraid they'll make a vegetarian out of me, lol. Your Dexters are so sweet tempered!

[@babsabroad2205]

I said the same thing to my wife. I think with all other animals that can be raised for meat, I'd be fine. But something about these sweet things makes me think that we'd end up with a herd of pets!

[@arnaubasulto4448]

@@babsabroad2205 like my comment if you’re stupid.

[@joshuaracette3734]

😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠Pog

[@joshuaracette3734]

No

[@shawnchapman6291]

Thanks for your videos.love em

[@soaponastick4496]

Excellent video. Very informative and helpful.

[@tmorris1024va]

I love my cows so much...........and now I'm gonna eat Sally food dinner :)

[@maureensurdez7841]

Cute, nice explanation of pasture logistics

[@MurigenII]

Dexters have great temperaments...if breeders breed for that. In the past some breeders bred without concern for temperament if the breeding stock had the confirmation they wanted. When buying, and breeding, making sure the temperament is at the top of the list for picking stock.

[@jodyjohnsen]

It is unlikely that I will have cows of any kind but I really like watching your videos. Now I have to figure out how to buy some of those ribeyes.

[@edmartin875]

A large percentage of steaks and such bought from the typical big box supermarket are dairy cattle steers.

[@micharris1761]

this is a wonderful video ty so much.

[@TheRumbleBunny]

Not a farmer but really enjoyed the information, esp about the process of breeding. Very interesting and explains why you think Dexters are both fun to keep and provide great meat!

[@Hannibal54689]

By far the best farm channel on KZbin.

[@kelleyvancamp3589]

Outstanding video. I'm so glad I found your channel. I miss my grandparents farm so much..now that I'm an old man. Thanks again. And God bless.

[@homesteadinginmohavecounty1626]

This is the 3rd time I've watched this video, as a refresher course. We just got our first dexter 2 weeks ago. She's a 2 yr old bred heifer. She's bred to a Jersey, so her calf will be a belfair. We're hoping for a heifer calf, but if not, we'll have one to raise up for beef.

[@juliannrowland6552]

Great video Pete!!😊

[@big5434]

Thank you for the very informative video. We are a small, young 40 acre farm in north west Florida and are new to cattle. We just purchased our first Dexters yesterday. We are starting with a bull calf, heifer and a young steer. We hope to gradually add to our herd over the next few years as we learn more and establish more grazing pasture. Your video has been very helpful and i believe we made the right choice on the breed.

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thanks for watching, big5434! Sounds like you're off to a good start, and Dexters were the right choice!

[@ibrahimmohammed8951]

@@JustaFewAcresFarm dekhe halbuh4 gya npii whywluhe l ohhr eohuebbh eihh openejhbfpnhhehppmbhe jhe

[@ibrahimmohammed8951]

D sjhsbygeo🙏👍

[@ibrahimmohammed8951]

5,7,8

[@VanPray]

Good production effort. Thank you for putting in the work.

[@saxefoner]

Very good! It is a joy to witness such an incredible success in the work and the presentation of it.

[@albertorodriguez6287]

Yes I did enjoy your video. Keep making them. Watching from NYC.

[@doylemarkham1010]

Thanks for the education. Very informative

[@wallacejeffery5786]

Good video. My family raised angus and we Always ate grass fed. It is delicious. We had fence issues. Pushed down mainly.

[@GuffeyJon]

with so many small farms around you should make some square bales to sale, and then purchase back round if needed for winter. It's extra steps but if it can bring in some extra cash it might be worth looking into.

[@haroldvanoverbeck359]

Hey Pete!, having a hard time getting to make a comment. Just watched your 4/1/22 video where you ask for input for your videos. I have commented previously and you answered, which surprised me really. I 20 years ago started a journeyy similar to yours and for 10 years just reised for myself and family and really enjoyed the lifestyle, however not full time. Your videos have brought back those fine, fun times, my opinion is for you to not change anything. Your instincts are great and you have the best channel on the tube. Always interesting and I so look forward to viewing them. I view you as a neighbor and will enjoy your gardening in the future. Forgive the lengthly response . You do a great job, Hello to Hill.

[@cowboy2180]

Great information, very helpful thanks

[@shannonjaros4135]

Such a fantastic video full of great details! Thank you so very much for sharing!

[@zarachastellaris9016]

Gorgeous meat! I don't think I've ever seen such beautiful beef!

[@erinmclaughlin4444]

Your videos are so so helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to make all these videos.

[@stevegagnon6602]

Marvelous vid. Like you more each year,

[@ronburgundy6760]

I’ve had Dexter cattle in the past and they are NUTS!!!! I’ll never have em again.

[@feliciasaez7791]

love the Breed! I'm running Aberdeen Angus covered by Dexter Bull and keeping the heifers! so far so good. very informative though I'm a bit curious how you do the ear tags. i noticed some had them and other s didn't? Also don't necessarily agree with feeding hay inside only. Waste hay and the poop that surrounds it can be a great tool on the homestead. I typically feed hay in areas of high erosion and/or poor soil quality, keep them moving to these areas during feeding months. if theirs a bunch of wast i'll move chickens over the area and that helps break down the carbon to organic matter faster. typically helps regenerate the soil. But "HAY" that just me

[@cathyl2338]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@deckyBWFC91]

Are Dexter X Angus horned or born without???

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Pete keeps them off the pasture in the winter to give it a rest.

[@matthewbell9517]

This was the most informative video I've seen about cattle. Thanks!!!

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

You're welcome Matthew!

[@sgrvtl7183]

This is a nice presentation, easy to understand and follow.

[@unclelarry9138]

Very informative. Thank you

[@michaelmccarthy7133]

Love your videos, very informative especially the Dexter and small farm management advice, we have a small Dexter herd in Ireland and I love the breed.

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thanks Michael! And thanks for watching all the way from Ireland.

[@kathrynhelm4176]

Fascinating video! I have absolutely nothing to do with cattle but I throughly enjoyed listening to you cover all the topics on Dexters. ❤️🥰👍

[@bobwarren7608]

Brilliant video! I'd love to hear more about the year round operation of other enterprises on your farm.

[@ianburton8050]

Nice simple operation you've got there and I like the way you deal with the weaning...mother knows best. But if she hasn;t got enough milk you should intervene.

[@maycienunez1177]

going out to buy a dexter and mini Herefords probably after our ol holstein steers, these videos have been really good and informative about what i need to know about these cows along with a good rough estimate on how big they are going to get, thank you for publishing

[@carolkimbell5174]

Thanks Pete. It was interesting hearing about the dexter cattle.

[@LymanMcLallen]

So far, I've watched this episode three times. I intend to watch it three more times -- at least.

[@bunnylover6481]

Great video. Thanks Pete. I like how you named some of the cows.

[@matthewtaylor2185]

I have wanted dexters for years...I'm going to get some as soon as I get solid perimeter fences built.

[@smi2sali1]

Hello hope you are doing good

[@robinsingleton6921]

I have watched nearly all of your videos and really like them, enough so that I subscribed to your channel, and this was the first channel I have ever subscribed to. I have a small farm and raise Brangus beef cattle in the south. Your information about raising beef cattle in general has been right on target, especially your guidance on grazing strategies. I do have to question the economics of keeping two bulls for only 12 cows and keeping one bull and half your heard on your winter pasture during the grazing season. Why not just keep one bull and turn him out with the cows in August and September for a breeding season? It seems like this would be easier and cheaper that keeping two bulls and having to feed half your heard during two months of the grazing season. Keep the great videos coming.

[@olumideiluyomade7613]

To prevent inbreeding! You could keep one Bull only if you are going to sell all your heifers.

[@simr7856]

ok here comes that moment, that 'feelings' surface..well, the way you speak to us about the nature and temperment of these Dexter Cows..remineded me, how Grandad spoke about his lifestock..with professionalism and auythority for his lifestock- wether market meat or herd breeders..all got treated with respect. i like that about you Pete.

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thanks so much Sim R!

[@jphillipsf]

Thanks for sharing the steps and tips, very informative. I hope to one day be able to start my own beef cattle outfit.

[@legaldocsinc.9142]

Having dreams is good but taking action and turning them into realty is much better. I once new nothing about farming until i started to seek out folks who traveled such pathway before me the i turn thier advice into an action plan and made things happen. Best regards on your journey and never give up...

[@bigfrazr03]

Thank you for your time and informative presentation. I enjoy watching your videos.

[@tennysdp]

Great presentation- well done!

[@dfishman76]

You got me wanting to check into this breed of cows now...

[@cherylirvin3919]

You are a good teacher.

[@MuhammadAbdullah-yx2io]

Hey Pete , You are awesome narrator about this Dexter Bread

[@davemi00]

Hi Pete, appreciate your thorough explanation of ranching from a regenerative aspect. Nicely done !

[@tuck634]

Great video. I have a small acreage in southern Saskatchewan Canada and this spring I bought 1 dexter bull and 2 dexter cows and heifer calf. I wish I could get 3 hay cuttings per year. We get 1 and if a perfect year you will get 2 cuts.

[@smi2sali1]

Hello hope you are doing good

[@thomasreto2997]

Wife and I have a small home with 2 ohanas on 4 acres of tropical rainforest on The Big Island of Hawaii (on the slope of Kilauea beside volcanoes national park). It would need to have pasture developed (we are thinking goats at first to browse the 5 foot height weeds and seed future pasture). There are a lot of cattle lands in our area. We are looking into different options for our future tiny farm. I appreciate you sharing your experience and thoughts on the different aspects of farming. About 3 more years until our two boys finish college...and we jump into a different lifestyle. From Pittsburgh to Puna😃🌈🤙

[@jasonjohnston94]

Your description of how you manage the bulls and breeding reminds me of a great song by Robert Earl Keen Jr. and Lyle Lovett. From “This Old Porch”: This old porch is like a big old red and white Hereford bull Standing under a mesquite tree Out in Agua Dulce And he just keeps on playing hide and seek With that hot August sun Just a-sweatin' and a-pantin' Cause his work is never done

[@bigtime37ja]

Third time thru watching, Sir you provide excellent MENTORSHIP. Thank you

[@deblawson1575]

Thank you so much, the info you gave in this video was so well given, well spoken, and well thought out I really enjoyed it. I grew up in farm country I am well versed in raising farm animals. What I was schooled in by you was the breed of cattle you obviously know and love so well. The Dexter breed I find very intriguing. I have been doing quite a bit of research on them. This breed seems to fit everything I'm looking for. I did have one question for you if you don't mind my asking. I realize the Dexter is not considered a "Dairy" cow but have you or anyone you know ever milked one?? And if so how was her milk?? I would like to thank you for taking the time In advance !!! I'm sure somebody as knowledgeable as you must get so many questions about these wonderful beast. I just truly wanted to express my thanks. God Bless you and yours Deb

[@lisacastano1064]

Grass fed homestead has a video about it

[@MrVailtown]

Professional professor Pete well done and informative videos

[@bigtunaleague6077]

Excellent work! I think we will commit to dexter after listening to this information. Cheers from Buffalo Tx

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thank you! Can't go wrong with Dexters!