Dexters can be raised to milk, to grow for beef, and even to train as oxen.
Dexters require less food than their larger relatives because of their smaller size, but their exceptionally efficient feed-to-product ratio is the characteristic that distinguishes them as thrifty animals.
Dexters are highly intelligent. They adapt very well to halter training and can be excellent competitors in the show arena.
Dexters are a terrific breed for small acreage farms. A little more than an acre of reasonable pasture can support 2 Dexters.
Dexters adapt well to homestead, multi-species farming. They are typically quite reasonable and can learn to co-exist with a variety of other farm animals.
Dexters are a hardy breed. They can live in nearly any climate.
Dexters are typically easy calves, producing a calf every year even into their teens. They have wonderful mothering instincts!
Dexter bulls are renowned for their docile natures.
A Dexter’s smaller size makes them perfect for specialty farming. They are much less imposing to first-time farmers than huge beef breeds. They require less working space than large milking breeds. They are a good breed for farming retirees that still want to keep a few cattle, but can no longer handle the arduous chores of large-scale ranching.
Dexters are easy on the environment. Their smaller size greatly diminishes their negative impact on the land. Their naturally fertilizing manure adds nutrients to the ground. And their grazing/foraging behavior, when managed appropriately, can help build depth and richness to the soil.
