Dexter Cow Care: Homestead Health & Pasture Guide
🌾 LIVESTOCK CARE

DEXTER COW
CARE GUIDE
HOMESTEAD

Pasture Rotation, Mineral Balances & Calving Ease

A complete operational guide for miniature Irish dual-purpose Dexter cattle.
PER ANIMAL UNIT">
ACREAGE MATH

PASTURE DENSITY
PER ANIMAL UNIT

1-2 ACRES PER ADULT DEXTER
GOOD FORAGE

Dexters weigh half as much as standard Holsteins (600-800 lbs), converting low-quality forage efficiently without tearing pasture sod.

💡 ACTION: Rotate small paddocks every 3-5 days to maximize grass recovery.
LOOSE MINERALS">
MINERAL BALANCE

FREE-CHOICE
LOOSE MINERALS

NO BLOCKS LOOSE MINERALS
EASIER ON TONGUES

Hard salt blocks hurt bovine tongues, leading to chronic copper, selenium, and zinc deficiencies.

💡 ACTION: Provide weather-protected loose cattle mineral mixes year-round.
BULL TESTING">
GENETIC HEALTH

CHONDRODYSPLASIA
BULL TESTING

PHA / BD DWARFISM TEST
PRIOR TO BREEDING

Dexters carry a bulldog dwarfism gene. Never breed two chondrodysplasia carriers together to avoid lethal fetal deformities.

💡 ACTION: Test all breeding stock via certified genetic hair follicle tests.
MATERNAL INSTINCTS">
CALVING EASE

EXCEPTIONAL
MATERNAL INSTINCTS

95% UNASSISTED
DELIVERIES

Dexter cows are renowned for easy calving, producing small 30-40 lb vigorous calves that nurse within minutes.

💡 ACTION: Provide clean, dry, draft-free bedding during expected calving week.
& BEEF YIELD">
HOMESTEAD MILK

RICH BUTTERFAT
& BEEF YIELD

4-5% FAT CREAMY DUAL
PURPOSE YIELD

Dexters produce 1.5 to 3 gallons of high-butterfat milk daily alongside exceptional marbled grass-fed beef.

💡 ACTION: The ultimate self-sufficient family homestead bovine breed.