Dexter x Australian Lowline

[Adam Lowline]

Wanted to announce the safe arrival of the first Australian lowline x Dexter this morning, and it's a beautiful black heifer calf. She weighs about 18kg, will weigh her tomorrow, but she is small. Perfectly formed with no sign of any dwarfism or snorter. Very happy first time grandparents.

[Broomcroft]

Now that's what I call small. Is that actually lbs or kgs?

[Saffy]

I pulled a live lamb once that was just 17 and a quarter pounds, surely it is Kg?!

Stephanie

[Adam Lowline]

We have now weighed the little calf, and sorry yes it is kg 18kg and 19inches tall! Very strong little heifer. Is this a similar size and weight to a pure dexter calf? What sort of weight gain should we expect over the next few weeks/months? (if this was a pure Dexter) we will weigh and measure her regularly and keep you posted. will try and upload a photo on here too.

[Broomcroft]

I'd guess that's on the light side of average; don't know what other people think. My pures would be in the high 20's usually.

In terms of growth, I reckon by 8 months most Dexters are around 170-190kg, VERY roughly. I got that figure from other breeders, have not checked any myself.

[Adam Lowline]

Clive, thanks for the info, I hope you get a bottle of wine at Christmas for your support on this discussion board! A pure Lowline will weigh average of 18kg and will double it's birth weight after 6weeks. I don't know a weaning weight, but a year old heifer would weigh 190kg. We will monitor her and see which breed she follows more closely. Our other Dexter is due any day, it will be interesting to see if she produces a bigger calf, as she is much bigger 47"! I don't know what she would be classed as? A giant? How big are your cows?
Thanks Adam

[wagra dexters]

Adam, 17kg to 18kg is normal birthweight for our Dexters, with very few outside that range either way. Margaret

[Broomcroft]

Adam, going back to the short-leg / chondrodysplasia issue. I asked on this forum some time ago what I would get in terms of percentages when crossing and the answer was that it would be the same as when mating a non-short to a short Dexter.

And that is a 50% chance of getting a dwarf from crossing a short-leg Dexter to another breed, and it is of course a new throw of the dice every time one is born, so you could get 0%, 100% or anything in between.

I have a theory that the condition was exacerbated because my calves grow very fast because of the standard-sized AA bull. The snorting and leg-bending did not come on till later. Anyhow, if my growth theory is correct then you probably wouldn't have the same issues with a Lowline? But I'm just guessing. Seems logical but probably isn't!!!

Obviously, if the Dexter cow isn't a short-leg there is no issue at all.

[Adam Lowline]

Great news today, our large pedigree dexter managed to calf naturally in -5!! He is much bigger than the heifer weighing in at just over 30kg and 23" tall. Mum lOoks like she has plenty of milk!