Rose's Story

Rose was our first Dexter calf. When her Mom and Grandmother arrived on the farm, we had only four acres of pasture and no haymaking equipment. Since then, we have grown our Dexter herd to 30 head, and Rose has seen other cattle come and go. Now, sadly, it’s her turn to board the trailer and be taken to the butcher. Join me as I tell her story.
email: [e-mail]
website: justafewacres.com/

[@lizhaydon2250]

Folks that don't know being on a farm won't understand that tough decisions have to be made. I appreciate your attitude to your animals

[@vanmiles6979]

It’s far better for animals to have this scenario than to be raised in a mass production environment. Rose loved a great life. My Beefers will too.

[@briannewberry2999]

Rewatching old videos. I still remember Rose's story from watching it four years ago!

[@rexie_rex_]

I couldn't do this. I become way to attached that I wouldn't be able to financially keep my farm going. I would have to farm only non slaughter types of farming. I understand the need and I appreciate you so much for giving these animals the best life you can. I love your honest and educational explanation of what and why you are doing the things you do. Subscribed.

[@cindyjohnson5242]

I have cattle, I can't eat the girls. Mine are dairy and Dexter. I get very attached. I'm very "hands on".

[@caracampbell1715]

Same here.

[@theeasternfront6436]

Wool barer’s.

[@rexie_rex_]

@@private15 You are spot on. I am a nurse. People don't want to know what I do sometimes, but I just don't tell them. Same here. I don't want to know because I couldn't do it myself, but I appreciate those who do.

[@austinwilliams7919]

@@Limogi We've had laying hens for years, and we've never experienced them trying to hide their eggs, in fact.. they're usually glad they're gone, if they even noticed the eggs were missing. Now, ducks on the other hand.. they hate when the eggs are taken.

[@Drew-gj1es]

I remember my father had a favorite bull (Black Hereford) for a long time. He was a good breeder and super friendly, but ended up getting what they thought was cancer. He kept him around the farm anyway (they have extra room) out of respect for the animal and gave him a good life until the end.

[@dmr6640]

It's no fun taking an animal to the butcher but you show the reality of farming. Appreciate your showing the ups and downs not just Facebook farming.

[@nancysmith-baker3827]

Thankyou for showing real realty, many of us don't know the Cost and compassion it takes for good meat . From the city thankyou

[@karenschlenker1241]

Hard desisions sometimes have to be made, but you loved her. That makes you human. Love the care you show .

[@SkylarHillShop]

"Everybody at the butcher has a nicer trailer than us" LOL I know that feeling well.

[@hyperdude54]

then two years later, Petes get a nice trailer lol

[@mobayguy]

Pete - This is the life of a farmer - It's A OK - Treating your animals with great care, dignity and respect is the key and I'm sure your butcher does the right thing too.

[@greatnorthern706]

You are a fascinating guy Pete. Your videos are engrossing and sometimes very deep. I bet days like this are the most difficult part of what you do.

[@andrewlubanski9915]

I really appreciate the reverence you all have for your cows.

[@mdspider]

Thanks for showing us what it’s really like and not just giving sunshine and roses.

[@silasderoma4726]

I appreciate that you share the happy and sad, Pete. Great video.

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Thanks Silas.

[@karenparr4312]

When one of the cows that have been around for a while, it's hard to see them go but also know you have a business. As a viewer it saddens my heart when a favorite goes to the butcher, but I know you have a business to take care of. Thanks for all your video's. I really enjoy them. My husband and I both watch and look forward to watching them each evening. If there is no new one we usually pick an older one to see again.

[@jonnyb1965]

Hi Pete, We could feel your pain for the loss of a beloved cow. She was a part of the family for years. God Bless you.

[@Acestes.]

Seeing these videos have given me more appreciation for what's served on the dinner table. I'm glad these videos exists and how it connects us to the animals that eventually make it to our dinner plate. God bless Rose for feeding us.

[@anthonyhengst2908]

I know the feeling well. When I was a freshman in high school the first animal I showed at the County Fair was a Jersey named Isla. 10 years later she became cystic. Later that winter my family ate her too. The feelings were much tougher than the meat. We live and we carry on. Blessings to you and your family Pete.

[@ritabrunetti381]

Hello Peter & family. I'm watching this video on 10/27/2022. Came across it by chance and was interested. I've been watching your channel for some time and remember you mentioning how some viewers question you naming every one of your cows. I appreciate that you do. You're a kind family and naming them is a special thing you do to attach yourself to them. Rose's story was sad but teaches us the importance of having healthy cows. Be well & safe.🥰

[@ryanwaege7251]

Thanks for sharing Rose with us.

[@saraanderson6615]

I could never live on a farm, couldn’t stand to send an animal to the butcher. But it looks like you give your animals a good life while they are on your farm.

[@AutoCrete]

I know the sad feeling of losing a great cow or bull. We had a core herd of cattle that were 'petting zoo tame' including a 1900 lb pet bull. Selling the seasonal cow/calf pairs was easy. The 2 or 3 of the core herd pets, not so much. It's just farm life.

[@kyliepierson8718]

Great video sad topic but tasteful and Noble way to show and celebrate the life of the cow named Rose with the ending of a life that's the beginning and survival of a whole farm.

[@michaelharvey7613]

Thank you so much for this story.

[@crazycoyote1738]

Great educational video Pete, thank you!!

[@mobayguy]

You did the right thing Pete - The slaughter, Yes but also you respect and care for your livestock. Thanks

[@elizabethdixon8038]

Just give that trailer a good sanding and repaint it. But you are right paid off is the key.

[@anneoreilly4900]

Thanks for showing care and telling the stories of the animals.

[@sandraengstrand2784]

Thank you for sharing Rose’s story! Your compassion is beautiful 💕💔❤️💕💔

[@paulat5921]

Thank you for the video.

[@emilyriley6029]

I know dogs and cows aren’t the same but over this past summer I had to rehome four of my dogs and that was painful. They were my babies. I raised them from birth and two of them were my baby’s babies. (I consider them all my babies) but we had too many dogs and we just had to rehome the younger ones. It was sad. I cried a lot. To this day I still get really sad about them and wonder what they’re up to in their new homes and wondering if they’re ok and treated nicely. I still get sad and I still think of them. I still miss when one of them would come up and lay at my feet. I often think of her doing that now. Your story resonated with me. No matter what animal it is, losing them (one way or another) is always hard

[@andrewpaige6571]

Pete I can tell that it bothers you to take a beloved animal to the butcher. But it is the way of the family I will never get to look rolls gave you as you said your goodbyes. You are one of the gentleman with a beautiful heart may you forever feed the world.

[@andrewpaige6571]

Sorry to hear about Rose but that’s farm life that was my father always taught us.

[@a.p.5429]

Thanks for Rose's story. Farm life isn't the romantic stuff many think. It has beautiful moments and many sad ones. Hope her calves have that gene more diluted.

[@gentryrust2768]

Hi Pete! You should paint your trailer and put your Just a Few Acres Farm logo on the side. All your equipment is so nice and well maintained so your trailer feels left out! Anyways great content and I thank you

[@southernpine79]

Just found this channel in the past couple days (April ‘24). We want to have a small homestead and are working on a plan to get there. I’m trying to learn what I can in the mean time. My wife wants to have a cow or two but I know her, she will want to name them and treat them like pets. And I know me, I won’t be able to slaughter and eat something that has a name. Giving them a number I’m fine with, put that steak on my plate. I grew up hunting and fishing so I’m not squeamish with dressing an animal and there is a certain appeal to raising some quality beef myself. Dexters seem like the right cow for a small homestead

[@bub7961]

Regardless rose lived a good life

[@CrazyDaisy8008]

who cares if your trailer isn't brand new. if it works it works :) Love your old tractor to.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

I like your trailer Mr. Pete! It gets the job done!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

I can tell it breaks your heart too.

[@joshtkachuk2439]

Awe poor Pete was so sad at the end:) love the videos Pete almost at 200k wow

[@mokpot]

Like others have said in previous comments... your treatment of your animals is admirable. Naming them...? Stern stuff you NY farmers... Great videography and editing Pete.

[@CoyoteRidge]

I think you have a great trailer, I would be happy to have it.

[@stephenroylance5299]

I... did not enjoy this video. But as someone who's considering raising animals for meat, the experience you've shared is incredibly valuable to me. Thanks for this video.

[@robreesor5011]

@@3Sphere hate to tell you this but the US wouldnt have had a chance in WWII with out the hard work the brit's and Canada and other allies had already put in before the US ever joined in the war after pearl harbour. Up till that point the US simply sat back saying it wasnt their war why should we step in...and the only reason the US stepped in was because Japan attacked the US on their own soil.

[@a.p.5429]

@@robreesor5011 how does that tie in with butchering Rose? Not being snarky, just wondering where you're coming from.

[@barrettthompson5363]

@@robreesor5011 What a stupid post.

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

Your videos have changed so much in the last year! Love your channel! Everyone always says don’t keep bad stock, I remember with our ducks we had a horrible drake (personality wise) and he was never ever well. You have to think what the genetics you want. We how have another and he is perfect.

[@moniquem783]

Well, I don’t think enjoyed is quite the right word for this one, but it was interesting.

[@masterxiong7368]

Binge watching your videos

[@Rifleman1964]

On our farm, only the bulls and the steer marked for the freezer got names, his name was always Sedrick. You didn’t want to get too attached to Sedrick because you knew what his future was. On a farm, there are a lot of hard decisions made, some are truly heartbreaking losses.

[@donalparks4167]

My grandfather always named the steer "Timmy".

[@johnzink3309]

Thx

[@harryweening7199]

i think this would be in my top 5 worst things about livestock farming. Understand completely the necessity, but still hard. Definitely a sad day.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Although I was raised on a farm., it was a dairy farm and we never ate our cows. So for us this is hard for me to watch. And maybe the reason dad never raised a beefer while us kids were on the farm was that he would have felt the grief of slaughtering one of his beloved cows but that he didn't want us to feel it either.

[@a.p.5429]

Many dairy farmers seem to cross breed to a beef bull so the extra calves sell better for slaughter. Not sure how they keep the core herd going. I've just noticed in other KZbinr videos that is how they get their butchering cows.

[@ldg2655]

A tough, but necessary, decision...

[@haydnstevens3108]

Farmer Tyler ranch has had to do the same this week April 2023

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

Hard decisions are never easy to make but most of the time the decision becomes obvious and it's never an easy choice.

[@20sherilynn]

That apology got me tho💔😭

[@jacobblair6665]

Any animals, especially on a small farm, are money makers.....once they stop making money they are no longer "useful". Its sad in a way. But these are not pets. And thats what a lot of people don't understand.......

[@calebmanuel17]

What you think are you sad this farmer is money maker

[@usmcforever7630]

Had to be done. We need to be kind to our animals, but in a farm business is still a business.

[@WhereMyChicken]

WHOA! Is that the Mrs. throwing shade with the, "In principle" comment?

[@Redsammeh]

I think she said "and fixable" (the trailer)

[@samlikely3201]

I love the trailer comment my nephew once poked sport at my cheap sneakers I told him I got say much milage as an expensive pair like he wants and with my frugal attitude could save enough to buy my new pickup truck ( at the time he was dreaming of owning his first vehicle ) then I asked him where he would be walking to today ? he got the message no more fancy pants sneakers for # one nephew

[@a.p.5429]

Don't you love teachable moments? Well..if they have the eureka moment not the lights on but nobody's home look.

[@joebuchanan3808]

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do

[@YOU-vj4fl]

So long Rose.

[@juhalux]

Humans used to have to pull their weight too, not any longer. Way too many free loaders out there in the society.. Sorry to say that!

[@brucerazor5202]

Your living the life, loving what you do isn’t work

[@jerryseeley276]

OK, that answers my question.

[@armedsailor9757]

Thank you for the video. I am sure that was a tough day. You mentioned the possibility of a genetic predisposition to a shortened breeding life. After you came to that conclusion, will that drive any cull decisions for the rest of your herd?

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Yes it does. We cull all cows that do not breed.

[@donalparks4167]

Did you also cull Rose's offspring and their descendents out of the herd?

[@ottocarr3688]

Is there a College or University in your area? Would it not be prestigious to be an intern on your farm? The top student in his/her graduating class with a degree in agriculture is chosen to work on your farm during spring through fall. Room, board and a stipend for their effort. A degree in Real Life Farming. Everyone wins!

[@MrVailtown]

Life on a farm

[@emeryviau5069]

How come you didn't cross your chains when hooking up for that trailer otherwise those chains are no good the way they are if the trailer comes on hooked

[@robreesor5011]

The only reasin to cross the safety chains is if they are to long and drag on the ground...other wise hook em up any way you want to...Pete did just fine there negative nelly.

[@sqike001ton]

so i just found your videos and i never could bring myself to name my beef save the breeding bulls as they never really left we just used the tag number cow 2001 ect ect

[@michael7423]

If that’s a solar array above your head at the end of this video does it provide all your electricity?

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Hi Micheal, it did before we started the farm, but now we use a lot more electricity. It provide about half.

[@MrBoazhorribilis]

I wish our political class would have half the empathy and understanding for the 330 million Americans as you do for your animals. They skip the "understanding" part, they just move right on to the demise of the population. And I mean that figuratively. Our cultural existence. And I mean that literally.

[@kathygrin1072]

Who dispatches the animals when you get there... you or the butcher?

[@greggeorge5170]

I'm loading up pigs tomorrow... if it is easy you are not doing it right!

[@anarchocapitalist]

I’m enjoying the stories. They are helpful and informative. Curious, perhaps you made a video already and I have a come across yet but what is your take on ADCA vs. PDCA debates? I’ve noticed your cattle seems to have both preference of the associations. I have enjoyed making friends with both groups and understand both sides of the arguments. I personally haven’t made a decision as to which direction I will go yet. I like the concept of PDCA desire to preserve bloodlines. However, ADCA is much bigger and that brings conveniences to a newbie trying to start. I have not yet bought any cattle yet. We are currently investing in the infrastructure of the farm. In the meantime trying to decide which direction to go, any advice? Thank you sir

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Hoo boy, that topic can be a minefield! I wasn't in the business when the two split, and I've heard both sides too. We joined the ADCA initially because the stock we bought to start out was registered with them. I have stuck with them because I like their genetic testing requirements. It took me a while to figure out the whole process of testing etc to get new animals registered, but the registrar was very helpful and once you do it and learn the process it becomes pretty simple. But, I am not in any way biased against the PDCA. I think all 3 organizations, including the Legacy Dexter Cattle Registry, do a lot to promote the breed.

[@michaelday1192]

You should cross your trailer chains ask anyone who has a boating license why!

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

I do cross them.

[@manycallmemom8406]

☹️. Poor Rose Burger.

[@russsherwood5978]

yup thets sure a sad day when ya gotta git rid of a longtyme resident cause they dont produce,, the ol sayin goes [ no one rides fer free ] jist gotta keep tryin ta improve yer gentics,through selective breedin,.. have ya ever thought o bout addin some high-lander cows ta git thet hetorosis/ hy-bred viger in yer herd,,jist askin is all,, ai,,m an expert jist tryin ta git nowalge bout cows/cattle is all,,,, thank ya fer the video

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Hi Russ, we're committed to raising purebred Dexters. Part of that is to preserve the breed, and part is for a clear market distinction when selling beef.

[@russsherwood5978]

@@JustaFewAcresFarm ai thought thet after ai had reply/asked ,, thets a dang good idea ta have pure bloodlines,, great sellin point tawhen ai,m able ai,ll have ta make a trip over ta vist yer farm if ya allow visits,, thank ya fer the videos

[@larrymoore6640]

Pete I guess I don't understand, if those cows had that disease and you took them to the butcher wouldn't the meat have it?? If so would you be better off selling them as byproduct meat??

[@robreesor5011]

Its not a disease so much as a genetic defect that caused the animal to stop being able to rear young. It would have no effect on the meat or quality of the meat.

[@donnyblondy8506]

Hey,,,isnt that the tractor from Green acres?

[@grantboucher9342]

why rose unloading at butchers video

[@vivianzuniga8814]

Sandblast n paint that old beauty. Problem solved!

[@TexasRanchu]

For thus reason I can't be a farmer

[@robreesor5011]

@@3Sphere so you think Pete and family are phycopath's? If so your 100% wrong they are good folks making a living the oldschool and hard way...and likely work harder than you ever have.

[@jessewixson291]

Where us the usda processor in our area?

[@JustaFewAcresFarm]

Hi Jesse, we use Owasco Meats in Moravia.

[@hairlesscat6458]

Wait, so cows can abort there own calfs? My lord.

[@Roosmarijn035]

In humans it's called a miscarriage.