Dual purpose for small property

adoptedbyachicken

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Well since this is BackyardCows...... :)

We have only 46 acres of which about 20 is good pasture. Pasture is currently split only in 2, I do want to do more cross fencing. I also have 10 horses. I want to get a dual purpose breed so I can have some fresh milk so of course will have to have calves and they can be meat or replacement cows.

What breeds have you had experience with and how did they work out for you? I have looked into Dexters and there is a breeder near by but what else should I consider?
 

Farmer Kitty

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I have milked holstein/Belgin blue cross. They don't milk to bad and the Belgin blue is a double muscle breed so the meat is excellent. They do eat alot though!

I have a neighbor who loves the holstein/jersey cross for meat. I've milked that cross too and they do well.

I have also milked holstein/milking shorthorn crosses. They milk good and are a good cross for beef animal too.

I most diffenantly do not recommend milking a herford or a herford cross of any kind!
 

wynedot55

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any dairy crossbreed will work for a duel pourpose cow.breed her to a beef or dairy bull.an if the calf is a bull.you have a years meat.if its a heifer you have a replacement cow.or a heifer to sale.
 

ncgnance

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I've been told that some people are cross breeding jersey bulls to dexter heifers to increase milk production. I'm thinking of trying that with mine. But, then, I don't know that much about breeding. If I get a bull calf, would it still be a good meat steer. This is probably a stupid question....
 

wynedot55

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yes jersey cross steers are good eating.all of the dairy breeds bull calves are good eating.
 

wynedot55

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all dairy cross steers or fullblood dairy steers gain weight slower than beef steers.holstein swiss ayshire all are heavy breeds.their steers finish out at 1200 to 1300lbs.the smaller dairy breeds 900 to 1100lbs.
 

Farmer Kitty

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There is more to consider than the weight/feed ratio. Different breeds can have different fat percentages at processing time. Plus some breeds will eat you out of house and home. We have some belguin blue crosses and they eat everything in sight! They are big double muscle animals and therefore leaner but, you had better be able to supply them with large amounts of feed.

Piedmontese cattle are slow starters. I had a BIL that raised a few and they were real hard to get started on pails and feed.

Plus, how much meat can you use/sell? Some breeds yeild way more than others even when processed at the same weight.
 

prairiegirl

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We're all for Dexters here, too.
The milk is great, the meat super.
They fit in nicely here on our little farm.
 
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