Dexter Cattle - Traits

Traits

Dexters are classified as a dual-purpose breed; used for milk and beef. However they are often listed as a triple-purpose breed, since they are also used for oxen. Management practices vary by breeder and by country. Their versatility is one of their greatest assets, and probably has something to do with the number of countries Dexter cattle are found, including North America, South Africa, Australia, and much of Europe.

In the U.K., Dexters are often reared on a purely grass diet to about 3 years of age. However, as a result of concerns over BSE, the British government introduced legislation effectively banning the sale and use of animals over 30 months in age. This has meant that in some cases, steers (castrated 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.

Beef animals in the U.S. are expected to mature in 18 months and result in small cuts of high quality lean meat, graded US Choice, with little waste. The expectable average dress out is 50 to 70 percent. The beef produced by Dexters is well marbled and tends to be darker.

Dexters produce a rich milk, relatively high in butterfat (4%) and the quality of the milk overall is similar to that of the Jersey. Some claim the milk is more naturally homogenised than other milk due to the smaller fat globules. Dexters can reasonably be expected to produce 2 to 2.5 gallons (7.6 to 9.5 liters) per day.

The cows are exceptionally good mothers, hiding their calves almost from birth if there is any cover for them to hide. They will produce enough milk to feed 2-3 calves, and often will willingly nurse calves from other cows. They are known for easy calving. This trait, along with the small size of the calf, has produced a small but growing market in the United States for Dexter bulls to breed to first calf heifers among the larger beef breeds to eliminate problems at parturition.

Dexters come in two different types: short-legged and long-legged. Short-legged animals are more likely to be carriers of the chondrodysplasia, or "bulldog" mutation and should not be bred with another short-legged Dexter. Long-legged Dexters are less likely to carry the mutation.

Dexters are typically horned, however a polled strain was developed in the 1990s.