Dexter Cattle

The Dexter is a small breed of cattle that have descended from the Irish Kerry during the 1800’s. They are hardy yet tractable animals known colloquially as "beefy little milkers". Because of their small size and even temperaments they are ideally suited to smaller properties. Three adult Dexters can occupy the space of two ordinary-sized cattle beasts. Colours range over predominantly black, red or dun with very few or no markings at all.  All of our Dexters hve been born at 272 -273 days gestation instead of the usual 283 for cattle.

Our cows are also considered Miniature Cattle because they are not over 42 inches (106.7cm) at the top of the hips.  Our cows have mainly been about the 100cm mark (39").  The red short leg Grade 2 cow (Greenridge Siobhan) on the left in the photo is just 36 (91.5cm), as is her daughter (Greenridge Dymphna) who is the red cow second from the right.