The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Muc on November 02, 2009, 09:25:04 pm
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I'm thinking of getting a Dexter cow or two and wonder what bureaucracy I will have to go through - there has to be a lot of form-filling, registering, inspections etc. Anyone gone down this road?
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I think cattle are pretty heavy on the old form filling but someone here will be able to help. Just not me although I will note with interest the replies - just in case!!
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I started with Highland cattle just over a year ago. I now have four and am hoping to add to this at the weekend. You need to have a holding number as with any stock. Then you need a herd no. You need to register with DEFRA for cattle and most of the paperwork can be done online. They send you loads of information about TB etc and sticky labels to put on passports - although movements can be done online as also births can be notified online. You will be notified after about 9 months of keeping cattle about TB testing. This will be done every 12 months for the first 3 years as it is classed as a new herd and then you will go onto your parish testing. Mine is every 4 years but some are 3, 2, or even yearly depending on the incidence. Other records are as for any animals eg medicine records, batch numbers, where you purchased from etc. If you decide to keep cattle do your research regarding paperwork first as it can be worrying playing catch up. Contact me if you want more specific information.
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once initial paperwork is done there is very little to do until slaughter, cows have individual passports that follow the animal. weve found dexters excellent, if your going to get some they are herd animals so 2 min 3 would be better to start. we are using AI instead of bull and had no problems with calving. our first beef steer has just come back from butcher and meat quality and taste is superb..........good luck neil
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Thanks for replies. I'm leaning towards getting two weaned Dexters to rear for beef.
Any book recommendations?
Regards,
Muc
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Dexters? more trouble than they're worth! See "Runaway cows"!!
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This link has got me curious, how much land do a couple of dexters need.
Be forewarned though, if your answers allows me to start considering it my girlfriend may finally give up on me!!
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Oink, I'm told that traditionally an acre was required for a cow (I think that that's how the measurement came about in the first place). With Dexters, I have read somewhere, that half an acre will do.
I assume by your name that you too are a pig man. I reckon if we can keep pigs fenced in, Dexters shouldn't be any more trouble.
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Really relate to Muc's comment on pigs - one of our Tamworths has recently got the idea that if she runs at the fence (electric) really fast, then the pain will be less as she flies through it. She only does this at feeding time, and is then faced with the problem of getting back through the fence to get to the feed. And they say pigs are bright ....
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Our Gloucesters are fenced in with a solid wood and wire fence and have never been a problem. Cows on the other hand - I stood and watched as our Murray Greys and Blonde D'Aquitaines jumped over a stile! The Dexters certainly have no respect for electric fencing if they get spooked. This all sounds a bit negative and I do love having the cattle, they certainly taste good - have just eaten burgers for tea! so dont be put off.
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only advice i would give is get cattle that are well handled if its your 1st time, any cattle can be spooky when brought to a new home, well handled cattle, preferably halter trained are much easier to deal with. spend as much time as poss with your cows and they are so much easier, we loaded ours into the trailer in two's to bring them home, all walked in really well, my friend with a commercial herd has spent 3 days trying to corral them, only two left to catch ;D
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What sort of fortifications do I need for these beasts?
At the moment, I have old dry stone walls, about a meter high and was thinking of an electric fence inside this. Should I get to work on something stronger?
Regards,
Muc
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I just have dry stone walls. Once one did jump into next doors field but stood at the gate wanting to come back- this proves the grass is not always greener on the other side ;D One cow does tend to rub on the copers and knock them off so my OH has to go and put them back on a weekly basis.
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Definately Dexters! As someone else said try and get well handled ones as it will make life a lot easier. Getting them used to following a bucket of nuts helps too. A cattle crush is almost essential for any cattle - well it helps enormously.
Are you just intending rearing 2 for beef or breeding? We started with a halter trained, in calf cow with her calf at foot. However, its grown - they are addictive. We now have 2 cows and a heifer we will breed from next year, last year's steer and this year's 2 calves. All calves end up in the freezer and the beef is wonderful.
Good luck.
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Dexters are just about the worst breed you could get.
Vets love them in the way that burglars love Jack Russell terriers.
Don't make the mistake of believing that smaller breeds are easier to handle - they're not.
Get some really steady crossbreds. Anything with British Blue in it is incredibly docile and easy to handle (see avatar, left).
(British Blue is the UK strain of Belgian Blue, originally developed from the beef shorthorn).
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My (naive) reasons for starting with cattle are:
I believe that certaiin breeds are hardy enough to stay out all winter and that they can feed on grass the whole year round. (I do understand they need some shelter, such as an open shed, and some winter feed, such as silage bails).
I keep pigs and find that I am buying in too much bag-food and this seems wasteful, considering I have land to spare. If there were true grass-feeding pigs, I might not bother with cattle.
In my innocence, I thougt that smaller cattle would be easier than large beasts. I am still open to persuasion.
My plan is to get two beasts in the spring, rear them and take them to slaugher in two years. If this is the beginning of something better, I will be delighted. I will continue with the pigs and the hens in any case.
Finally may I thank all the posters here who give me so much food for thought - you couldn't get such sound advice from a trailer-load of agricultural advisers.
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we have northern dairy shorthorns and traditional herefords. the herefords are by far the easiest cattle i have ever known, they are so laid back. NDS are fine can and once i have a halter on them i can do just about anything with them,
We dont have a crush, once the cows are haltered and tied up they can be worked with easily. as long as cattle are handled they will take most things in their stride. Our vet hates dexters and has begged us not to get any!!! i keep telling him i have seen some cheep, he treatens to knock us off his list if we do ;D
We have moors not far from us owned by english nature, they bought 4 dexters, the local vet has darted 2, they cant get close enough to the last two to dart them, they went ferral in less than 6 months.
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I started with Highlands because they can live out all year round. They have few problems and calve easy. They are easy to handle - like everything else you can have good and bad. As long as you spend some time with them they will get use to you being around and learn to trust you. Favorite food is good for getting them to do what you want but don't let them get too pushy. A tap with a small stick will teach them some manners and respect the boss!
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Hey my Dexters are wonderful!!! However i do walk among them every day and talk to them and give them a scratch! The live out all year, some hay in the winter when really bad weather, so far have calved easily.
I think you can get good and bad in all breeds, sometimes its just the luck of the draw!
Di
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Hi di
thats the answer, if you spend time with any cattle they remain tame, people just throw them out and wonder why they cant get near them come winter!!
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What sort of fortifications do I need for these beasts?
At the moment, I have old dry stone walls, about a meter high and was thinking of an electric fence inside this. Should I get to work on something stronger?
Regards,
Muc
Dry stone wall with electric round the edge should be fine. As said elsewhere dont buy something off a moor that has never seen anyone. Buy something that has been well handled. Dexters can be a handful as can Highlands and Galloways. A nice beef cross like the blue or shorthorn would be my choice.Avoid limousin if your new to the game and keep in touch with them as they soon turn nervy if the only time you handle them is to jab them or chase them about.
One other tip get a decent handling system with crush nothing annoys a vet more than to see his 10.00oclock appointment charging away across the field. Try to borrow or share something.
If you have any question about the beaurocracy(spelling?) call your local Animal Health office they are very helpful.
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Did anyone see the Channel 4 programme on Thursday night about the couple starting a farm? The presenter/adviser persuaded them to get Dexters as he said they would be the easiest for a beginner. I can't wait to see the next episode.
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STOP knocking Dexters! They are a wonderful breed, producing the highest quality meat and milk and if handled regularly are no more problem than any other animal...like most situations, its the actions and attitudes of the 'keeper' that determines the responses of the animals they take 'care' of.
I have been breeding them for over six years now and wouldn't be without them...magnificent creatures.
Farmer, :farmer:
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I would happily try Dexters if I could get my hands on a couple.
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Does anyone know about milking highlands? Quite a few people have them around here but I've never heard of anyone milking one? :)