We are going to say this plainly, because the cows and calves do not benefit from nuance or silence. There is a body condition problem that is too pervasive in our breed. It is not that cows are “too fat.” It is that far too many are calving in a body condition score (BCS) of 4 or less, and we ignore it at best and act as if it were normal, or worse, as if it were acceptable. On the 1-to-9 body condition scale, 1 is emaciated and 9 is obese. A cow calving in a 5 or 6 is carr

SMD Paycheck Ballan and his boys (steers) at attention: The cattle behind the satire. Stewardship is measured in reality, not lab results. It is a melancholy object, after a quarter-century among these cattle, to watch how quickly we forget what they are for. At every meeting, in every corner of the internet, the same pattern repeats: mention a new test, a new marker, a newly identified shade of color, and the room leans forward as if salvation had arrived by carrier pigeon f

In the annals of Silver Maple Dexters, few names resonate within our farm with the enduring legacy of SMD Octavia Certus #026256, affectionately known as "Tavie." Born of distinguished lineage, sired by Breoch Sultan and from dam SMD Alpha Ceti, Tavie embodied the quintessence of the Dexter breed's dual-purpose heritage.​ SMD Octavia Certus #026256 From her earliest days, “Tavie exhibited that rare quality—call it ‘presence’ or ‘charisma’—but there was always something in her

Genomic testing  is transforming the beef cattle breeding industry. Breeders of major beef breeds are increasingly using genomic testing...

Breed Standards are critically important for the maintenance of breed integrity.

The ideal Dexter cow is characterized by its deep body structure, which is a key feature in the breed standard and specified in the...

We have been asked this question many times over the years, and we are pleased to provide our reasons for not using polled genetics. We...

Satire R Us Ranch is a bit perplexed. We keep hearing about folks that have posted an ISO advertisement for Dexter breeding stock on...

SMD Paycheck Ballan The breed is maturing. It is moving well beyond being the Livestock Conservancy’s threatened or endangered breed...

It was a small cattle show by modern Dexter standards at the 13th annual Nebraska State Fair Dexter Show in Grand Island but the quality...