Sunday 10 July 2011

Life with Dexters


In the middle of this week, I spent a few days with some friends up close to the NSW-Queensland border, in the small hamlet of Jiggi which is about 20kms SW of Lismore. The farm next door runs a small herd (35 beasts) of Dexter cattle. It was a breed I knew nothing about, but learnt quickly.


Dexters are a small breed, originally bred in the UK. They are good for small holdings; you can stock more, and they create less damage around waterholes. They are farmed for milk and for meat, and are people friendly. They come in three colours: brown, black, and dun. They come horned or naturally polled.

What I liked about them was that Bill let the top gate open on the odd occasion, and the Dexters cropped his fields for him, leaving behind oodles of fertiliser. A quick whizz around with the tractor/trailer, another whizz through the mulcher, and all this is perfect for the veggie garden!


Why bother with a Kelpie or a Border Collie to keep your herd in check when you can rely on the good old Cattle Egret.

14 comments:

Mark said...

I have never heard of this breed before, interesting.
I have been to many places on the Northern rivers but Jiggi isn't one of them. I hope you had a great break. The winter weather has been beautiful all week, we luckily avoided all the gales from the south.
Thinking about you and your family.

Windsmoke. said...

When i seen the 2nd photo i thought straight away of Beauty and The Beast, how bizarre is that :-).

Rinkly Rimes said...

The cattle are delightful but I was particularly taken with the name Jiggi! Isn't it great!

Petrea Burchard said...

Cattle Egret! Har!

I don't know many photographers who could get by with posting a photo of poo, but you've done it with a certain grace and charm.

brattcat said...

it would seem these diminutive beasts produce prodigious piles of poop.

Kay L. Davies said...

They remind me of Highland cattle, but not as hairy or as large. I like them.
And I agree with Petrea — it takes someone with a certain je ne sais quoi to photograph poo with flair!
Luv — K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Virginia said...

I can relate to these wonderful photos. I"ve 'been traveling south of town to my friend's horse farm. He has some bulls etc. I"m a city girl learning all about this whole new world. I love your photos Julie.
V

Ann said...

Hairy Cooos! They remind me of highland cattle too, which I've always loved.

Joan Elizabeth said...

They look rather nice with their stocky little bodies. I love having cattle as neighbours at the Rest when they are in the near paddock. The little pony on the other side has moved on because they have cleared the block ready for sale.

Rae Walter said...

Have just got back from the farm and love your post. Will take more notice of the dung on our place in future!

Vicki said...

I like Dexters. So cuddly. :)

Love the photo of the Dexter and the egret, Julie.

Jim said...

Terrific looking beasts, the Dexters.

Stefan Jansson said...

That second photo is a classic!

Alan said...

I'm with Petrea and Kay. Never did I expect to be taken by a poop pic:-)