Dexters are here

I have taken on a new project, raising dexter cows. On Saturday two cows and two steers were delivered. Dexters are an old breed developed in the highlands of Ireland. They are a multipurpose breed: meat, milk, and work (oxen). They are smaller than other cows, about the size of the more recent miniature breeds. Miniatures are downsized popular breeds such as black angus. They are the result of a study in Australia during the 60's in which it was determined smaller cows are more efficient at converting grass to meat. Dexters were there first.

My interest is in getting quality beef. Because they will fatten on grass, they produce less bad fat (cholesterol producing) and more good fat (omega-3). Because they are small I should be able to keep a small herd (5 or 6 - with some work enlarging my pasture); they only need half the space of a regular cow. It wouldn't hurt to get a little money back one day.

Don't ask me about my weekend: unknown to me there was a tree across the fence, cows darted 1/2 mile down road, great neighbors helped, many hours spent repairing fence, little sleep because I was up checking on cows.