Ever wondered why our cows seem more petite than your average bovine? One of the best things about having kids on our farm is the questions they ask. Adults also wonder the same thing, but don’t want to offend… On a recent farm tour, a child gave me a disappointing look and asked “Why are your cows so small?” It’s a good question…. Well, the answer lies in our choice of breed – Irish Dexter Cattle. This may seem counterintuitive since we raise cattle for beef, and larger cows would theoretically yield more meat. But there’s more to the story.
Table of Contents
Here are 5 reasons we have chosen Irish Dexter Cattle for our regenerative farm:
1 – Decreased Soil Compaction
The more an animal weighs, the more it compacts the soil. The more compacted the soil, the harder it is for nutrients to get in (air, water, etc). This can cause capping, bare soil and harm the microbiome. Dexter cattle are small so don’t compact the soil as much as a larger breed would.
2 – Low Maintenance
Dexters are a heritage breed. This means they are a traditional livestock breed that have carried genetic traits for generations (long before industrial agriculture). These traits help them thrive in their ideal environment. For us, this means they do well on grass and forage (we don’t have great grasses yet), have fewer complications with births and do well in extreme weather.
3 – Dual Purpose
Dexters can be used for beef and milk production. Right now we aren’t milking our cows, but it’s something we would love to do in the future!
4 – Grass Conversion
Our Dexters are 100% grass fed. They eat fresh forage (grass , weeds, trees, etc) here on our farm 9 months out of the year and we buy local hay during the winter. This breed is great at converting grass into beef.
5 – They Are Adorable
We have lots of friends in the cattle business who make fun of our ‘little cows” but they are adorable and bring us joy. I mean, who doesn’t love these serious faces and amazing hair pieces. I could literally stare at these babies all day.
The Irish Dexter Fit for Regenerative Farming
And that’s why our cows are so small. As our farm grows and we learn more, we may decide to try another breed, but for now Irish Dexters are the best fit for us.
In essence, the small size of our Dexter cattle is part of a bigger picture. As we continue to grow and learn, we may explore other breeds, but for now, the Irish Dexters perfectly align with our commitment to regenerative farming.
