From page 18
Their docile nature and the ease with which Dexters can be transported to the bull and handled with limited facilities adds to their popularity. It is even suggested that you can keep two Dexters instead of any one standard-sized cow grazing on the same hectare of land. Figures rel; eased by the Glen Animal Research Station showed a food conversion ratio of 5,40 for the Dexter, which means that for every 5,4kg of feed consumed it gains a kilogram of body weight. The average
Newborn Dexter calves are small... really small!
The breed is apparently immune to Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis( mad cow disease) and resistant to mastitis
daily gain of a young bull on test was 1,429kg. Early maturing, Dexter heifers produce their first calf at about two years of age and they go on producing until they are 15 or 16 years old. Dexter cows are maternal and calving is generally easy. The mothers hide their calves almost from birth if there is any cover for them to hide in. They will produce enough milk to feed two to three calves, and often will willingly nurse calves from other cows. Their udders are sound, with good teat placement. Dexters produce both meat and milk. The meat has a unique flavour and the cuts are small in size in comparison to the larger breeds. Dexter meat is ideally suited to a boutique meat market or the home freezer. There is a high meat to bone ratio. Some smallholders also use them as oxen. Their colouring is either whole black or whole red, with no foreign colours, although a small amount of white on the underline behind the navel is allowed. The breed is apparently immune against Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis( mad cow disease) and has been found to be more resistant to common diseases and mastitis. The Dexter is regarded as environmentally friendly
LIVESTOCK
because of the lesser impact due to its size and the fact that it is a non-selective grazer. In some areas it has even been used to eradicate foreign vegetation which threatened to become invasive. The Purebred Dexter Club provides an advisory service to Gauteng breeders, and there is an active community of Dexter breeders throughout the province. For more information: 083 692-9809.
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