breedeing dexter cow to an angus bull

[ellen]

I guess i will address this to Clive as he stated he is doing this breeding program the other way around.  Has anyone had difficulty using an Angus bull to a dexter, it wasn't my first choice but my neighbors bull took a liking to my cow.  I have no experience pulling calves and luckily have never had to. My cow isn't due for a month and 1/2 and she is huge. Just expanded overnite!! Now I am worried thanks ellen

[outofthebox]

Hi Ellen

We havent had to experience anything other than Dexter to Dexter calves.

But seeing next doors angus cross bulls and the comparison of the calves that drop on his side of the fence compared to those (Dexter) calves which drop on our side of the fence, I would strongly recommend doing all you can to be there at the time of birth.

Might be an idea to notify your vet of the pending birth date for the just in case. It helps to know that you have someone you can call on if things dont go according to plan.

Let us know how you both go.

[Deleted]

Don't feed grain the last two weeks, just hay. That's what I was told by a experienced cattle farmer.

[lakeportfarms]

We don't feed grain period, and two weeks isn't going to make much of a difference...as out of the box said, make sure you have a vet all arranged and ready to go. Make sure that you know what is involved if a c-section is required and what the cost is. Your goal is not a healthy calf, it is a living cow. If it ever happens again or to anybody else that stumbles across this post I'd suggest a shot of lutalyse so it doesn't progress past the first few weeks.

If it is a heifer, you have more to be concerned about. An older, larger framed cow should be in much better shape to handle a larger calf.

[carragheendexters]

Hi Ellen,

I haven't seen Clive post on here in ages. I think the last time I read something from him he was talking about possibly using a Hereford over his Dexter cows. You have to remember though that his cows are non-chondro and maybe a bit on the larger size.

I'm posting a photo of our Dangus heifer who is now 12 months old

This photo is her at 8 months of age just before we weaned her from her mother. The red cow behind her is her mother, and at 8 months she was just a tad shorter than her mother. Now at 12 months she towers over all of our Dexters. She is a great little heifer and in a  few months time she will be sold through the saleyards, probably for meat.

Her mother is non-chondro and an older cow who had already had 6 calves. she is also a very milkiy cow that could keep up with what the calf needed in milk to keep growing so well. The Dangus heifer was born about the size of a larger Dexter calf, and from day one grew like a weed. Within a few weeks she was twice the size of all the other calves, and she just kept on growing.

This shows what great little cows Dexters are, and what a fantastic job they do on their calves.

Angus over Dexter isn't ideal for all, but can be done as long as you keep an eye on your cow and she can cope with it.

Watch your cow and be prepared for help, just in case she gets in trouble. You should have a nice beef calf when it comes. I wish our heifer had been a steer, would have got more money for it.

[djdewetsa]

It depends on the birth channel of the cow and the average weight/seize of the calves of the bull.
Yes - with less proteien feed near the end the calf can be smaller. Longer than just 2 weeks.
Also make sure the cow gets enough VIT A to keep the parts well oiled:) We inject with a Vit A,D,E which is everywhere available.

Normally cows with easy calving doesnt have a problem - have seen some of these animals and they are beautiful.
(PS - chondro carriers might have a smaller birth channel)
Dont try using heifers.

[ssimons]

I have seen this kind of thing before using Charolais bulls (to increase calve birth weights) on full size Hereford and Angus females, both cows and heifers. As the old saying goes, 'there are no free lunches". Larger calves will inherently bring more problems at birth. Especially when the size difference is fairly significant, particularly when the bull is the larger of the partnership.
i know sometimes "accidents" happen that may be known or not, and the best advice has already been given by lakeportfarms and  outofthebox. Pulled several of those Charolais/Hereford , Angus crosses, and it is traumatic for everyone involved , two legged and four legged alike. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

[Mare]

I don't know nothing on Dexters yet. But with a beef cow I've always ask the A.I to use a small calving bull semen. I've had good luck on my cow to have easing calves. And they have grow to be a full size beef cattle. Easy on everyone. Anyway my 2 cents is can you ask the person that has the bull in the next pasture what does he throw out with their cows. Are they small calves? Maybe that will ease your mind a little.

[zephyrhillsusan]

ellen, whatever happened with that cow?  Did she calve okay?

[Mare]

I quess my 2 cents didn't matter. I quess I should haved check out the date on the question. Duh,, but what did happen with that cow???