Choosing a Dexter
Hints and Tips
When we first set out on the Dexter road, we didn’t really have a destination in mind so we saw no need of a map. With the benefit of hindsight, we could have saved ourselves much heart-ache and expense along the way....
Do
- Some research - find out what constitutes a good example of the breed if you are buying registered stock
- Look
for cattle that are well-handled and preferably halter-trained if you are a
novice
- Make
a list of requirements and rank them in order of importance before you start
looking
- Visit
some herds to -:
- gain
an appreciation of the variety within the breed
- see
how others manage them
- check
out the herd’s health status
- establish
common ground
- examine
close relatives of your intended purchase (s)
- Buy
the very best foundation stock you can afford
Don’t
- Let your ‘heart rule your head’ and buy the very first animal (s) you see
- Visit
herds exclusively during the summer months
- Buy
from a livestock auction
- Buy
a ‘house’ cow that has not been milked before if you are a novice
- Buy
‘field’ cows unless you are experienced and have specialist handling
facilities
- Buy stock to ‘breed up’ unless you are prepared to cull most of what you produce (including females) initially
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Disclaimer: No responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of following advise on this web site. © Copyright Jacqui Parkes 2009