History of Dexter cattle in America
The origin of the Dexter is quite obscure.
The common assumption has been that this breed is a cross between
the Kerry
and some other breed, perhaps the Devon.
It has also been claimed that a "Mr. Dexter," who was agent to Lord
Hawarden, is responsible for this Irish breed.
The introduction of the Dexter to America
probably occurred long ago, when no discrimination was made between
Kerry and Dexter in importations.
The first recorded knowledge of Dexters in
America is when more than two hundred Dexters were imported to the
United States between 1905 and 1915. A large percentage of these
were imported to Elmendorf Farm (Elmendorf herd) of Kentucky, Howard
Gould (Castlegould herd) of New York, and James J. Hill (North Oaks
herd) of Minnesota.
In 1917, the Castlegould herd was sold to
Daniel Guggenheim of Port Washington, who changed the herd name
to Hempstead House. Several years later, a part of the Hempstead
herd was sold to Mrs. Louisa Satterlee (Dover House Farm) of Greenwich,
Connecticut.
Two of our present herds got their Dexters
directly from the above mentioned herds. Foundation stock for the
Clove Brook herd (now owned by Jan van Heerden, son-in-law of Mabel
Ingalls) was obtained from Mrs. Ingalls' mother, Mrs. Louisa Satterlee.
The foundation for the Peerless herd at Decorah,
Iowa, was obtained by John Logsdon from the Elmendorf Farm, August
A. Busch and James J. Hill, in 1919.
Later, two bulls were obtained successively
from Daniel Guggenheim, owner of Hempstead House herd. In 1944,
when the Peerless herd had their first public sale, the herd numbered
150 head of cows and heifers. Peerless herd is the oldest Dexter
herd in the United States.
Since 1950, Mrs. Mabel Ingalls, Stewart and
Frances Kellog, Edward C. Lord and Mrs. Margaret Rhodes have imported
several head of Dexters from England.
A number of these and their offspring have
been sold to other breeders. In 1982, Mrs. Doris Crowe of Canada
imported several head from England and sold several head to interested
new parties.
The first A.I. program was introduced in
1968.
In recent years there has been a worldwide
surge of interest in Dexter cattle. These gentle, hardy and easy
to handle animals are one of the world's smallest bovines. They
require less pasture and feed than other breeds.
They thrive in hot as well as cold climates
and do well outdoors year round, needing only a windbreak, shelter
and fresh water. Fertility is high and calves are dropped in the
field without difficulty. They are dual purpose, being raised for
both milk and meat.
Size and Appearance
According to the standards adopted by the
American Dexter Cattle Association, the ideal three year old Dexter
bull measures 38 to 44 inches at the shoulder and weighs less than
1000 pounds.
The ideal three year old Dexter cow measures
between 36 to 42 inches at the shoulder, and weighs less than 750
pounds. There are two varieties of Dexters, short legged and long
legged or Kerry type.
Milk and beef production and other characteristics
are generally the same for both types. The same dam and sire may
produce a short legged calf in one mating and a long legged calf
the next.
Most Dexters are solid black. Red or dun
are less common. Horns on cows are fine and curved forward. Bulls'
horns are thick, solid, and slightly curved at the tips. The distinctive
head is short and wide between the eyes, with straight sides.
Productivity
A milking cow can produce more milk for its
weight than any other breed. The daily yield averages 1 1/2 to 2
1/2 gallons with a butterfat content of 4 to 5 percent. Yields of
cream up to one quart per gallon are possible. The cream can be
skimmed for butter or ice cream.
Beef animals mature in 18 months and result
in small cuts of high quality lean meat, graded choice, with little
waste. The expectable average dress out is 50 to 60 percent and
the beef is slightly darker red than that of other breeds.
Reference:
American Dexter Cattle Association, Rt.
1, Box 378, Concordia, MO 64020. Phone: (816) 463-7704.
as aquired by Dr. Michael L. Thonney, Professor of Animal Science,
Cornell University
Photographs:
American Dexter Cattle Association,as aquired
by Dr. Michael L. Thonney, Professor of Animal Science, Cornell
University
Gabriella Nanci, United States
Hobbit Hill Dexter Stud, Australia
