Dexter Cattle In South Africa

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I received this comment from Eric about his Dexter herd in South Africa. I thought the comment was very interesting.

I have been breeding Dexters on the harsh South African Highveld for over 33 years. I run a small herd, split into reds, blacks and commercial of about 250 females.

They are remarkable animals. I also run a herd of Brahmans and mixed breeds. The Dexters outperform some of their bigger cousins with regard to milk and meat. This one sees when looking at the profitability and feed conversion per herd.

Dexters eat practically anything, but excell when fed well. Some of my surrogate Dexter mothers raise up to eight calves a year, every year. One cow has regularly weaned a calf that weighs more than she does.

My oldest cow is 21 years old and has produced 19 calves.

In short, no pun intended, a little beast with big potential!

Regards
Eric
Potchefstroom
South Africa

Thank you Eric for taking the time to tell me all this interesting information about your herd and the dexter breed. I can’t believe your oldest cow is 21 and has produced 19 calves. I am surprised that your surrogate cows can raise up to 8 calves a year. Very interesting information. Thanks again for this interesting comment – I have learnt a little about the Dexter breed of cattle.

  1. Very interesting about the Dexter cattle. I will look into them. We have a few beef cattle at my parents farm but none on our place. We get milk from my sister’s cow.

    Comment by Dawn – February 23, 2008 @ 8:07 pm

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11 thoughts on “Dexter Cattle In South Africa”

  1. Hi all
    I have recently bought a farm in johannesburg and was desperately looking to buy maybe 2 or 3 dexter cows,but the minute i phone breeders and ask for the 2 or 3 dexters they dont seem to be interested in me because i am not buying 40 and i am a small and up coming farmer no one wants to help me.
    Does any one know where i can buy my Dexters from that dont mind selling me just 2 or 3 dexters please help.

  3. Hallo there,

    I live on a small farm in Vereeniging where we have Charolais. I have a Dexter cow. She is very short and stocky but have the nicest sway when she walks. I had another young cow but she died suddenly of “Blou suur”. They were both extremely tame and when I called they would come for their carrots and apples….. I wanted to purchase a Dexter bull but decided against it. My husband arranged for artificial insemination this week and I look forward to my first little calf.

    I would like to know more about the breed ie special care, etc. My husband is considering giving up his Charolais cows and increasing the Dexters as a small stud.

    Regards,

    RIA

  4. Hi, I stay in Port Elizabeth on a smallholding of 3 hectars, would like to find out if I can keep a male and female Dexter on the land and where will I be able to buy them from ? Also need the price.

    Trust to hear from you soon.
    Regards,
    Veronica

  5. Hi

    I am looking to purchase 1 or 2 Dexter cows for my smallholding in Durbanville, Western Cape. Any leads you can give me would be appreciated.

    Regards
    Marc Ambler

  8. my dexter cow was pregnant being a heifer the calf died and was rotten before the water burst. the vet worked for two hours and then suggested we shoot her as the calf was deformed and the head would not come through.We run a tiny anjmal farm and being hindu this traumatised me, my direction was guided by my vet but in retrospect ishould have insisted on a ceasar even though the vet said that it would be too expensive. please send me more information as i cannot forget what happened and never want to repeat this again

  9. Hi Laura and Rassie,
    Thanks for visiting farmingfriends website and leaving your comments. I have emailed both of you regarding the Dexter cattle.
    Kind regards
    Sara @ farmingfriends

  10. Laura, I’ve just been reading your request now. I’m also from Oudtshoorn. Did you come right with Dexters?

  11. Hi there.

    I was wondering if anyone can help me, I am looking for 2 female Dexter cattle for my 37 hectare farm as pets and live in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South africa.

    Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

    Have a great day
    all the best
    Laura

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