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Post by Ironwood Farm on Oct 30, 2015 19:55:47 GMT -5
Hi All! I have already appreciated the advice and knowledge I have obtained from reading bits and pieces from this board over the last few months. I bought my first Dexters in January, and despite a rough beginning (registration woes and a cow that had to be culled), I am excited to have had a calf born on the farm this summer, and we have rebred AI for next summer. The purchase of two more heifers is in the works. I came to Dexters after 12 years in the horse industry, followed by some health/weight/strength issues. The horses left the farm, and the sweet little cows moved in! They are much easier to care for than horses, and I love their personalities! I milk my cow daily and get enough for my husband and myself, though I would love to be able to make cheeses and the like. We also plan on raising grass fed beef, and we have laying hens on the farm as well. Thanks to zephyrhillsusan for the great building plans for the milking stanchion! This works perfectly for us! My current cow is a little claustrophobic, so I tie her at the front as opposed to closing the headgate. Everyone who has come to the farm asks about it, where I got the plans, etc. You always get the credit . There are a few of us in my area, if the livestock adds on Kijiji are any indication. It seems that there are quite a few unregistered Dexters around, and a good deal of crossbreds. This has made it hard to find purebred registered stock for purchase; perhaps it is me, but it seems as if there are a lot more Dexters in the U.S. than in Canada! Be that as it may, as a member of the Canadian Dexter Cattle Association, I have made a few connections. This is my steer and my Thoroughbred earlier this summer. Glad to be a part of this group!
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502
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Post by zephyrhillsusan on Oct 30, 2015 22:43:05 GMT -5
Welcome, Ironwood Farm! I love the photo of your horse and steer! And yes, Dexters are easier to take care of than horses, although I still have mine. I begrudge the pasture I could use for more Dexters, but I can't bring myself to get rid of them. My mare is 16, and I've had her since she was 2 1/2, and her "filly" is 8, and I've had her all my life. Plus we took in my DD's 18 year old horse that wasn't tolerating life in West Texas too well any more, and then the GKs' pony. They all feel indispensable to me, so I just have to do without more Dexters. Congratulations on overcoming some rough beginnings. Always glad to have another milker here! It's one of my favorite things about Dexters. I'm glad the stanchion works well for you.
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Post by xxranch on Nov 7, 2015 0:53:30 GMT -5
Not to sideline your thread but I'd like to thnk Zephyrhill for their stanchion plans. They worked great for us too! Welcome to the board!
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