Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:11 pm**

I am not sure how many of you were aware that dexters (exhibition stand and live animals) attended Smithfield last weekend.
I would like to thank Sue Archer, along with Val Farrant and Evie Freind for doing the stand and Felicity Thompson with partner Bob for taking all the time and effort into exhibiting their 2 steers.
It wasn't about winning anything in the beef classes it was about being there. This was the first time since the second world war that dexters had made an appearance, so full credit to Felicity and Bob.
Hopefully next year we may get dexters there again and maintain the breeds dogged determination to take on those big beef breeds.
Well done.

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:54 pm**

Well done all concerned, it is a daunting task to mount a display of Dexters at major national events in the face of so many better known and very well resourced breeds.

But it can also be very rewarding, as I think most commercial beef farmers are quite surprised to see what the Dexter can do. a long time ago now, but for Beef '96, a national exhibition held in Perth, the late Rosemary Brown (Ilsington herd) travelled all the way from Devon to Perth, we pulled in cattle from Fife and Inverness, and had an exhibit with Dexter cows with Simmental and Belgian Blue cross calves at foot, and photograghic display of butchered Dexter. The interest from the big commercial boys was amazing, and new members were signed up and orders for stock taken.

More recently the Scottish Group, in the form of Carol Neilson and Jo Kemp, have had a stand at Dumfries Show, which is one of the largest shows north of the border. Dexter beef has been cooked on site and tasters on offer, again lots of interest.

In the 2nd and 3rd decades of the 20th Century Dexters and Kerries featured regularly in Milking trials and Liveweight gain recording at Smithfield. Sadly the Dexter and Kerry are often lumped together in the records of these events. We are better placed now than we have ever been to take advantage of such events, it would be good to see it happen on a regular basis.

Duncan

Posted: **Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:55 pm**

I know of someone who is intending to take a Dexter steer to Smithfield next year. He is a nice stocky steer. Unfortunately our two will still be too young to go but maybe 2010!

Natasha

Dexter Cattle For Sale Discussion Board

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