Ted Anderson grew up around cattle on a farm in Osage County, Kansas but was unfamiliar with the obscure Dexter breed. Even through his studies at Kansas State University and upon graduation with a degree in Zoology, Ted never encountered the small breed. It wasn’t until his retirement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after 30 years of inspecting overseas pharmaceutical manufacturers that he discovered a charming variety of miniature cattle and knew it was just right for his small farm in Strafford, Mo.
The American Dexter Cattle breed is descended from the Irish Mountain cattle and dates back to the early 1800s. They first were imported into the United States in the early 20th century. Over the years the breed declined to a level to where they were placed on the endangered species list but is now experiencing a rebirth in popularity due to producers like Ted Anderson.
The renewed interest in the breed may be linked to its desirable characteristics. Dexter cattle are smaller in size, with docile dispositions and offer an ease of training. Often these characteristics make Dexter cattle a good choice for suburban and small hobby farmers and even for young children learning how to raise, handle and show cattle.
Additional qualities of the hardy Dexters include their ability to thrive in both hot and cold climates and when mature, these cattle are also capable of flourishing on only a couple of acres of good pasture per head.
Registered Dexters are the smallest Irish breed of cattle with cows measuring between 36 and 42 inches in shoulder height at three years of age, and weighing approximately 750 pounds. Bulls are slightly larger at 38 to 44 inches shoulder height, and weigh in around 1000 pounds. Whether it’s a short or long legged (Kerry) type, both varieties are strong and very durable even for their smaller size.
Artificial insemination allows Ted to achieve his goal of a top end market and show quality animals. With only 10,000 to 12,000 Dexters known to be in the United States Ted leases out and sells semen from his bulls including his 2006 – 2007 National Grand Champion, White-O-Morn Chief, known around the farm as, “Chief,” thus helping to expand the high end quality of the breed.
Ted explained that the Internet is definitely a good means of communication and marketing for the niche Dexter community and market. Since Dexter breeders can not compete with the big commercial market and packers don’t want to mess with small frame cattle and with the addition of being docked at the sale barn due to their smaller size, the Internet or national shows are the best venues for buyers and sellers to connect.
The excellent lean beef of the steers and the rich high quality milk of the cows makes this dual breed a perfect choice for many consumers. Ted concluded, "A fellow Dexter owner claims that he gets three quarts of milk per day. Another Dexter owner says the milk makes richer and more flavorful cheeses. Beef buyers feel the smaller amounts of meat allows for less waste and fresher meat. An average sized steer will yield enough meat to fill a freezer, and you get all the cuts."
