Our own dexter meat - Just arrived back

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:32 pm

I can't tell you how ours actually tastes yet but there is a slow roast joint ticking over in the oven as we speak!!!

However the butcher at Ensors commented to Chris that if someone could get the meat from big cattle as good as the meat from Dexters they would be wealthy.

I burst with pride when he told me and I just couldn't wait to tell you all! :D

CarolineL · Post by **CarolineL** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:48 pm

Congratulations Saffy - certainly something to be proud of!
Glad to hear Ensors are still going - it was a visit there for a job I was doing to make the organic certification process more straight forward for abattoirs that turned me from a vegetarian of 14 years to a committed (well reared and butchered of course) meat eater!
We're a while off getting our own meat back but we can't wait!
Caroline.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:54 pm

Thanks Caroline,

Well done for choosing Dexters!

When I had my herd of milkers I always appreciated the old cows who knew what they were doing and where they were supposed to be and it is the same now with the Dexters, Spice our old timer always knows what to do.

Stephanie

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:32 pm

Excellent flavour - just as predicted.

Stephanie

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:07 am

I can remember my first Dexter Beef like it was yesterday. Caroline made chilli-con-carne. I had a big helping and just couldn't stop eating it, I then had seconds of a similar size! That was made with loads of peri-peri (however you spell it). Absolutely yummy.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1218262285

redhill · Post by **redhill** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:34 pm

Can I hijack this topic for a moment to say CONGRATULATIONS to Little Hog,
two red rosettes, and a trophy,
not bad for a first time out, on a wet day at Chepstow.
Well done Stephanie and Chris, cleaning the silverware starts here!
Sue &Bill Castlemears herd Forest of Dean:

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 4:45 pm

Thanks Bill and Sue much appreciated.

No trophy actually but we aren't complaining, not a bad day for our first time showing a Dexter.

Woodmagic Hedgehog 4th - Little Hog to his friends was very well behaved. Despite being a little shocked by the considerable size of some of the females of other breeds. You should have seen his face when the Belgian Blue cows walked by to the ring, he could hardly believe his own eyes!

:D

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:55 pm

The Cattle Section of Chepstow Show was really well organised and despite the horrible weather we did enjoy the day helped a great deal by the nice people we met!

The other people showing Dexters today were ALL friendly and we also met Bill and Sue who weren't showing their Dexters but dropped by to introduce themselves which was very thoughtful.

Also the judge was very polite and encouraging to everyone. He thanked owners for bringing their animals and said how nice it was to see them there and he appreciated the effort people had made when the weather was against them.

Stephanie

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:01 pm

Its a shame you didn't have indoor facilities for showing. It makes it more tolerable in wet weather.

Little Hedgehog 4th is lovely. Such a good depth of body and a nicely filled out rump. Very nice bull.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:15 pm

Thanks Inger,

He is quite compact for a Non Short I think, which is a good but at only 12 months time will tell.

Considering he was orphaned at 4 months he has come on well.

Stephanie

jeanthomas · Post by **jeanthomas** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:23 pm

Saffy, he looks wonderful. Congratulations on your first? showing experience. Glad to hear nothing has changed and they (the dexter people) are still as helpful as I remember. Well done.

Jean.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:09 pm

Thank you Jean.

It was our first showing experience with Dexters.

Stephanie

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:04 pm

This bull looks extemely good to me, just the sort of bull I am trying to breed but have not got the really good top line your boy has. He is a credit to the breeder (Beryl) and yourselves as rearers. He really looks in tip top condition.

Perhaps if there were more like him phasing out bulldog carriers would not be such a mountain to climb.

Can we see some more photo shots of him, especially so we can see length of leg relative to depth of body?

Duncan

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:24 pm

Thanks for the lovely compliments Duncan!

You are so right, he is a credit to Beryls breeding skills. Our feeding has had very little to do with it, he eats grass and a very few Mag Rolls, he has never been overly impressed with any kind of hard food and only eats a little of it.

We realise how lucky we are to have been able to buy such a nice animal, so far he seems to have a really good temperament as well and as we have never kept a bull before that is very important to us.

I didn't take many pics at the show as it rained constantly and I didn't want to ruin my camera.

Here is one more from the show and another 2 taken in the last month or so.

Stephanie

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:51 am

While I will happily take credit for breeding him, I certainly think Stephanie deserves full credit for his rearing and handling, especially since he was orphaned at four months, all credit to her for doing such a good job on him he was fit to be shown to such advantage at a year old.
Beryl (Woodmagic)