Woofter Ranch

Where to start.....

Are you new to Dexter Cattle?  Maybe you haven't even purchased your first Dexter and are not sure where to start? 

At Woofter Ranch, we make it a practice to provide information and support to you no matter whether you are trying to find out more about the breed, grass/pasture management or how to integrate Dexter cattle into your program/family operation - even if you aren't sure how to make that happen.

We offer the opportunity to come to our ranch, meet our cattle and see the layout that works for us.  It's a family friendly experience where you can ask questions, hand feed cattle, pet some horses and learn about native grasses and feeding practices as well as learn about farm to table benefits of raising Dexter cattle.

When you purchase registered Dexter cattle from a reputable breeder, you get the support and resources of the American Dexter Cattle Association.  We are here to help you navigate that process ~ it's what we are passionate about.

If you are traveling from more than 4 hours out, please ask about accommodations at Woofter Lodge, also located on our property.

 

 

 

Located in the heart of the American Midwest, our ranch is a family owned and operated business with Red, Black and Dun registered Dexter cattle.  

All cows, bulls and calves are allowed free range within our pastures with access to natural ponds and open fields.   The herd is divided into two groups for breeding based on a variety of factors.  This allows for there to be two groups of calves born every year with the spring calves arriving in March/April and the fall calves being born in September/October.

Calves are briefly caught and tagged with a number matching their mothers in the field on the day they are born then immediately released back into her watchful care until weaning around 6 months of age.

All cattle are looked over and accounted for regularly to ensure the health of the herd.

 

What is a "Dexter"?

The Dexter is a breed of cattle that originated in Ireland in the eighteenth century.  They are a smaller breed of cattle (about 1/2 the size of an Angus) that are dual-purpose; producing milk and meat.  They virtually diasappeared in Ireland but are still maintained as a pure breed in small herds in England and the US.

What makes Dexters different from other breeds?

Dexter cattle have shorter legs than other breeds and mature cows weigh between 600 - 700 pounds.  The bulls weigh about 1,000 pounds. 

Considering their small size, their bodies are broad and deep.  Purebreed Dexters may have horns or no horns (polled) and they can be black, red or dun (brown) with no significant white markings.

Why would I want a Dexter?

Dexters are considered a dual purpose animal as they are high yeild milk producers as well as efficient beef producers.  Sometimes they are referred to as a tripple-purpose breed since they are also used as oxen. 

They are excellent mothers and will often feed two or three calves, in addition to their own, as other mothers graze.  They are hardy, thrive in poor pastures, are friendly, easy to handle and are known for ease in calving.

Due to their smaller size, Dexter bulls are often used with larger breed cattle for first time heifers to make calving easier.

Are they "dwarf" cattle?

Healthy Dexter cattle are NOT dwarfs, they are just a shorter breed than other breeds of cattle.

Some Dexter cattle carry a gene for chondroplasia, which is a form of dwarfism that results in even shorter legs than regular Dexters.  This is a genetic defect which can lead to arthritis at an early age, joint problems and deformed or stillborn calves.

All cattle at Woofter Ranch are tested and verified to be "Chondro free", guaranteeing that your animal will not have the effects passed on by the chondroplasia genes.

How are Dexter cattle names chosen?

The only "rule" for naming Dexters according to the American Dexter Cattle association is that the farm/ranch that owns the cow at the time calf is born, is the first part of the name.  After that, it is entirely up to the owner (no more than 26 letters/spaces).

At Woofter Ranch, we name heifer calves after flower/wildflower varieties (daisy, Lily, etc...) and bull calves after rocks/minerals (Topaz, Magnetite, etc....).  We also choose to use the first initial of the Mother's name when selecting the name for the calf (Maybe's calf = Woofter's Magnetite).

Since our foundation herd was purchased as adult cows, they do not have flower names.