[Farmer C]

Hi All,

Im hoping someone can help shed some light on Dexter’s,

I currently have a flock of 50 sheep, I have managed to find more grazing which has resulted in some grazing I have no longer being used as its more hassle to put my sheep there than its worth,

I have 5 acres on a farm thats split in to two fields of around 2.5 acres each, we are not charged for this grazing so it would be a shame to see it go to waste,

The farm is owned by an older lady who has a handful of sheep we help her with, she don’t use these 2 fields as they are fenced for cattle not sheep, She just wants the grass maintained and not to overgrow.

So me and my partner thought about putting some dexters there as they are small, hardy and can be outwinter and this ticks all the boxes,

What we thought was if we buy 2 heifers and 1 bull, the 3 of them should be able to meet the requirements of keeping the grass maintained,

But what we want to know is, are dexters profitable ? I appreciate with only 2 heifers and a bull we are not going to make a massive profit but the aim is every animal has to pay its way, we plan to breed from them and either sell the calves either as beef or breeding stock.
 
Would we turn a profit?

I know they can achieve up to 220Kg but on average between 150-180 kg of meat and if we say we got 165kg from one, if sold at market price £4.30 per kg that’s £710 but with cut and kill being around £300 that leaves £410 but that’s without taking into consideration the price of keeping them for 20 - 24 months, Ive been trying to do research but most of the information I find regarding dexters is American.

Also help on rough estimates of what you would get from a dexter meat wise would be great, we would want to sell some to butcher and a few small beef boxes ourselves but we’re not sure how much of each cut you can roughly expect so its hard to work out what I would be selling a beef box for and what it consists of, for example when we do half lamb boxes I know im going to get 1 x neck, 1 x shoulder, 1 x rack of lamb, 2/3 chump chops, 5/6 loin chops, 1 x breast of lamb, 1 x leg per box.

Alternatively selling them as breeding stock which are going between £400 - £600 but again I’m not sure on cost to keep them for up to 12 months before selling them.

Any help on:
How much they cost per head per year?
How much profit is possible?
are we being too optimistic ?
do we have enough land for 3 dexters?
Best way to make money beef or breeding?
how much of each cut we could potentially get?
and any other information that might help would be great?
 
Really appreciate im asking a lot here and any help is grateful.

Regards

[PipKelpy]

Before committing yourself to heifers and bull, why not buy some bullocks in to see if it pays?

People saying "we'll have the meat" is one thing but buying it is another and it will be another 2 years at least. Current issues, Ukraine War, sky high prices, would you have even thought it 2 years ago?

[Farmer C]

Before committing yourself to heifers and bull, why not buy some bullocks in to see if it pays?

People saying "we'll have the meat" is one thing but buying it is another and it will be another 2 years at least. Current issues, Ukraine War, sky high prices, would you have even thought it 2 years ago?

Appreciate the response,
In all honesty no I wouldn’t, but I didn’t think I would be in a position where I have spare grazing,
I’m only thinking about dexters as I have grazing I’m not using, I’ve always fancied having cattle of my own, I’m going be going to the farm anyway to help the lady with her animals I thought I might as well make use of it. I’m not looking to make loads of money from it I just dont want to be out of pocket, wether it’s sold in beef boxes or for breeding

[twizzel]

Firstly, what tb area are you in? We are on 6 month testing and it’s a royal pain in the backside. We can’t plan ahead; we don’t know if we’ll be shut down in 6 months or clear.


Secondly, is it just 5 acres you are planning for them? Year 1, 2 heifers and a bull, year 2: 2 cows, 2 calves and a bull. Year 3: 2 cows, 2 yearlings, 2 calves and a bull. And obviously you don’t want the yearlings (if they are heifers) with the bull, so they’d have to be separate. Year 4 if you decide to keep for beef boxes- 2 cows, 2 2 year olds, 2 yearlings, 2 calves and a bull. I think you’d be pushing that on just 5 acres, especially if they’re staying out over winter. The ground would never get a rest.

For something small scale like you’re suggesting I’d forget profit, and make sure your freezer is full of good beef. And I think I’d buy a couple of native bred store cattle, fatten them on for the summer months then send them on, rather than breeding. Much less hassle and will give the land a rest.

[Farmer C]

Firstly, what tb area are you in? We are on 6 month testing and it’s a royal pain in the backside. We can’t plan ahead; we don’t know if we’ll be shut down in 6 months or clear.


Secondly, is it just 5 acres you are planning for them? Year 1, 2 heifers and a bull, year 2: 2 cows, 2 calves and a bull. Year 3: 2 cows, 2 yearlings, 2 calves and a bull. And obviously you don’t want the yearlings (if they are heifers) with the bull, so they’d have to be separate. Year 4 if you decide to keep for beef boxes- 2 cows, 2 2 year olds, 2 yearlings, 2 calves and a bull. I think you’d be pushing that on just 5 acres, especially if they’re staying out over winter. The ground would never get a rest.

For something small scale like you’re suggesting I’d forget profit, and make sure your freezer is full of good beef. And I think I’d buy a couple of native bred store cattle, fatten them on for the summer months then send them on, rather than breeding. Much less hassle and will give the land a rest.

I’m Greater London so I’m a low risk area.

That’s a really good point didn’t really think more than 2 years ahead, I do have another 12 and 20 acre field that that I would be able to put them on mostly use them fields for my sheep but can always run them together or put the bull there to keep them separate,

Buying some native breeds to fatten wasn’t something I thought of as I think I liked the idea of owning cattle, but I will definitely have a look at this as an option thank you.

[twizzel]

It’s a bit like sheep really in that most of the problems with cattle are with calving or young calves. Once they get to about a year old unless they’ve got an underlying condition like BVD johnes etc, they tend to go on and do without too many problems. Whatever you buy though make sure it’s BVD free and tested for johnes, ibr.

[Anke]

I assume you have or have access to an appropriate cattle crush? As well as the cattle trailer and a vehicle to tow it?


We have had to rule out cattle (even with the opportunity of renting land) as the extra investment into cattle-sized kit was just not financially viable.


I longingly gaze at the Jersey cows at the Great Yorkshire show every year... and go and milk my goats...

[Farmer C]

It’s a bit like sheep really in that most of the problems with cattle are with calving or young calves. Once they get to about a year old unless they’ve got an underlying condition like BVD johnes etc, they tend to go on and do without too many problems. Whatever you buy though make sure it’s BVD free and tested for johnes, ibr.

Brilliant thank you, you’ve been very helpful,
from what’s been said so far I think I’ll look into buying 2 in calf rather than a bull.

I think I’ve got answers to most my questions I think it’s enough land if I don’t buy a bull, just going to look a breaking even and not turning a profit,
Just need to work out how much it cost to keep them per year and what if I did send them for beef what cuts I would get,

Thank you for your help so far 👍🏻

[Farmer C]

I assume you have or have access to an appropriate cattle crush? As well as the cattle trailer and a vehicle to tow it?


We have had to rule out cattle (even with the opportunity of renting land) as the extra investment into cattle-sized kit was just not financially viable.


I longingly gaze at the Jersey cows at the Great Yorkshire show every year... and go and milk my goats...

Yes I have a 12/14ft IAE livestock trailer, there’s a cattle crush already on the farm and I have a pick-up truck to tow the trailer, lucky enough between me and my partner we have it all, otherwise we would definitely be in the same boat

[landroverroy]

I agree - go for it.  


You have experience of keeping livestock from your sheep,you have the land, you have the equipment, and you like the idea. In fact you have a lot more in your favour than many people who start with cattle.


I have kept Dexters for many years and find that if you cross them with a larger breed (I use Herefords or Belted Galloways), then you get a more commercial sized calf that will sell well either as a store, or fat, or for your own meat - without too large a carcase.  A pure bred Dexter does not fetch a good price, unless you get it slaughtered and sell the meat. A Hereford calf is particularly good as it is colour coded with a white face.
When I had just 2 cows, I would buy a young Hereford bull at 8 months to a year old, keep him till he'd served them and sell him at a profit. So I'd maybe buy him in spring when plenty of grass,keep him over summer to grow on on good grass and sell him in Autumn. By that time you could guarantee he'd have served the cows and make a decent amount on him. A young bull seldom misses and in the unlikely event that he had you would know because you would notice him serving the cows again.   


If you buy 2 in calf cows 

[Farmer C]

I agree - go for it.  


You have experience of keeping livestock from your sheep,you have the land, you have the equipment, and you like the idea. In fact you have a lot more in your favour than many people who start with cattle.


I have kept Dexters for many years and find that if you cross them with a larger breed (I use Herefords or Belted Galloways), then you get a more commercial sized calf that will sell well either as a store, or fat, or for your own meat - without too large a carcase.  A pure bred Dexter does not fetch a good price, unless you get it slaughtered and sell the meat. A Hereford calf is particularly good as it is colour coded with a white face.
When I had just 2 cows, I would buy a young Hereford bull at 8 months to a year old, keep him till he'd served them and sell him at a profit. So I'd maybe buy him in spring when plenty of grass,keep him over summer to grow on on good grass and sell him in Autumn. By that time you could guarantee he'd have served the cows and make a decent amount on him. A young bull seldom misses and in the unlikely event that he had you would know because you would notice him serving the cows again.   


If you buy 2 in calf cows

Sorry for be getting back sooner it’s been a mental few weeks,

Thank you for the advise

We’ve stuck some luck in the last few week with a friend of a friend where we might be able to take on more grazing which has been previously grazed by cattle, with the option to take this on in the new year we are going to hold tight till then,

Just want to say thanks again for all the advice 👍🏻