New Dexter Cattle owners - Ask Extension
Hey there. We recently purchased two dexters (a steer and a heifer) that weigh about 400 lbs (one year old). We have never owned cattle before, and am...
Knowledgebase
New Dexter Cattle owners #754018
Asked June 04, 2021, 2:53 PM EDT
Hey there. We recently purchased two dexters (a steer and a heifer) that weigh about 400 lbs (one year old). We have never owned cattle before, and am wondering how much acreage is required to run one dexter. We live in Marion county in the Macleay area, and the cattle pastures are mixed oak/fir/pine on a hillside. Each pasture will be approximately 2.5 acres, and we'll have 2 pastures for the cattle.
Any assistance/advice would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Average stocking rate in the Willamette Valley is 1 to 2 acres of grazable pasture per mature cow. Dexters are smaller frame cattle and would require less foraging area but the figure doesn't include trees and brush area. Just grazable grass. You would need to have hay available in the late fall and winter as well as late summer if the grass dries out.
You are welcome to give me a call at<personal data hidden> if there are more questions or this is not clear.
You are welcome to give me a call at<personal data hidden> if there are more questions or this is not clear.
Thank you! I appreciate it.
We are setting up additional grazing areas fir the cattle as the two actress they’re on hard quite a bit of geranium lucidum. That stuff is so invasive.
On Jun 7, 2021, at 10:12 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The following publication on small scale beef production might be useful:
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec1514.pdf
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec1514.pdf
