Dexter cattle 1575341 215621559 2008-05-29T00:05:00Z Iridescent 937705 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/68.8.112.250|68.8.112.250]] ([[User talk:68.8.112.250|talk]]) to last version by Mejor Los Indios {{ri|date=March 2008}} [[Image:Deyrah06.jpg|thumb|300px|Good example of Dexter cow and [[calf]] from [[New Norfolk]], [[Tasmania]]]] '''Dexter cattle''' are a minority [[breed]] of [[cattle]] and until fairly recently, were in fact considered as a rare breed. They are the smallest native breed, and originated in the [[south]] of [[Ireland]] in the 1800s as an ideal "[[cottage]]r's cow", producing plenty of [[milk]] for the house and a [[calf]] to be reared for [[beef]] each [[year]]. The [[animal]]s vary in size, but are about half the size of a traditional [[Hereford (cattle)|Hereford]] and probably one third the size of something like a black and white [[Holstein (cattle)|Friesian]] milking cow. Dexters come in two different types: short-[[leg]]ged and long-legged. A short-legged Dexter cannot be bred with another short-legged Dexter.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.purebreddextercattle.org/Articles/ShortLongChondro.htm | title = Understanding Short Legs, Long Legs & Chondrodysplasia in Dexter Cattle | author = Gabriella Nanci | publisher = Purebred Dexter Cattle Association of North America | accessdate = 2007-02-17}}</ref> Commercially speaking, Dexters are a dual-purpose breed, providing milk and beef. They are a slower maturing beef breed and best reared on a purely [[grass]] [[Diet (nutrition)|diet]] to about 3 years of age. However, as a result of concerns over [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|BSE]], the [[British government]] introduced legislation effectively banning the sale and use of animals over 30 [[month]]s in age. This has meant that in some cases, [[steer]]s ([[Castration|gelded]] male cattle) may need some supplement feeding to "finish" them before the 30 months are up. An animal that is not properly "finished" tends to not have enough [[fat]] on the [[carcass]]. The beef produced by Dexters is a "traditional" type, with a greater level of [[fat marbling]] than is seen in modern [[supermarket]] beef. It also tends to be darker, partially as result of the breed and partly as the carcass is usually properly hung to produce a tender and better flavoured [[meat]]. Some say Dexter beef is "sweeter" than other beef. Dexters produce a rich milk, relatively high in [[butterfat]] (3.5% to 4%) and the quality of the milk overall is similar to that of the [[Jersey cattle|Jersey]]. Some claim the milk is more naturally [[homogenised]] than other milk due to the smaller fat [[globule]]s. Dexters can reasonably be expected to produce 2 to 2.5 [[gallon]]s (7.6 to 9.5 [[liter]]s) per [[day]]. The cows are exceptionally good [[mother]]s, hiding their calves almost from [[birth]] if there is any cover to hide them in. They will produce enough milk to feed 2-3 calves. They are an easy calving breed as their breeding has not been tweaked about as much as some cattle breeds. The birthing ease of the breed has produced a small but growing market in the [[United States]] for Dexter bulls to breed to first calf [[heifer]]s among the larger beef breeds to eliminate problems at [[parturition]]. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.dextercattle.co.uk Dexter Cattle Society UK] *[http://www.dexterbeefonline.co.uk Dexter Beef Online] *[http://www.dex-info.net Dexter Cattle Information] *[http://www.dextercattle.org American Dexter Cattle Association] *[http://www.dextercattleADCA.com American Dexter Cattle Association's Info and Discussion Group] *[http://www.dexter-cattle.co.nz/ Dexter Cattle Society New Zealand] *[http://www.purebreddextercattle.org Purebred Dexter Cattle Association] *[http://dexter.une.edu.au Dexter Cattle Australia] *[http://www.dexterswa.com.au Dexter Group of Western Australia] *[http://www.dextercattle-southeast.co.uk Dexter Cattle (South East England) Association] [[Category:Cattle breeds]] [[Category:Animal breeds originating in Ireland]] [[de:Dexter-Rind]] [[fr:Dexter (race bovine)]]