Dexter trends

[jamshundred]

I'm compiling stats again trying to get an updated overview of the breed, and it is a slow time-consuming effort.  Each ADCA registration has to be entered, categorized, and counted.

I think we all know that the effort of dwarf carrier breeders to restore knowledge and experience regarding this most important segment of the breed is definitely bearing fruit.  Those who already loved the little guys but were shamed into silence by the "lethal gene" rhetoric employed by the non-dwarf breeders are "coming out" again!  They are talking about their little Dexters with affection and pride.  Legacy breeders have single-handedly been responsible for making many breeders aware of the historical foundation of the breed, and the treasured characteristics the dwarf cattle bring us.   Hans has a huge presence on social media and has never been reticent, and Gene's love of Dexters, his herd, and his social media presence and photographs have been another source for those who have questions.  I have not been keeping stats, and many folks don't test ( including me) except when there is doubt, but it is impossible not to see renewed interest and positive awareness of the original foundation Dexter.

The most perplexing and frustrating statistic for me are the "horned from polled" stats.  I've listed nearly 8000 Dexters on spreadsheets since somewhere around 2012, and the percentage of this category hovers just over 30 per cent of all registrations.   IF. . . . a breeder has NO fear of horns. .. . I cannot help but be frustrated they are choosing to breed out-crossed animals versus saving the rare horned bloodlines.   Do they not realize they are stuck in the middle of a range war that all but guarantees a struggle for a share of the market?  Most buyers seek polled, and many now seek to join the preservation effort, and that only leaves selling cheap to move those horns, or dehorning to reach out to those seeking no horns.

Another trend coming into the registrations of 2014-2015 years. . . . seems to be mirroring what the old-timers said.  " The fastest way to lose red in a herd is with dun".   I am noticing the numbers of dun growing in percentage and favor again.
My opinion. . .. . . I don't think there is anything more boring or less "Dexterish"  than a field of nothing but red cows.  Seems the Angus and Kerry people figured it out first.

Finally, the interest in  both the Legacy and traditional bloodlines continues to grow and though the numbers won't show up in ADCA, as most breeders of preservation lines are registering Legacy and PDCA, I see the come-back of the original horned Dexters!   Hip Hip !

[lakeportfarms]

Judy,

I agree with your assessment.  Our short legs sell quickly and for more money than do the long legs.  This especially includes the bulls.  We have a dun short leg bull right now that over a dozen people have expressed an interest in purchasing.  It's not only the Dexter market, but they are interested in using them for breeding other types of cattle, such as the White Dexter or even mutt breeds.  Obviously we'd prefer them to breed Dexters too, and some of them are adding or will eventually add Dexters to their farm.  We are also having good success with our Traditional lines, and screen and qualify prospective buyers who are interested in setting up a Traditional herd of Dexters.  They will usually select a short leg bull to go with long leg heifers.  Some are putting color into their herds with either dun or red.  Ryan and Chris Thatcher here in Michigan now have a herd of a dozen or so, with one of our long leg carries red bulls.  They also have a short leg bull that will start breeding in a year or two.  They will be adding 5-6 more cows next year from some of our long leg herd as we increase our short leg Traditional cow and heifer population.  Soon they'll start having some dun Traditionals, and some black carries red and dun Traditional Dexters.  Their ultimate goal in 20 years is to have a herd of short leg red Traditional cows.  Shadwell is getting up there in years, and he's made some beautiful shorties for us, many of whom carry both red and dun.  Since our time with him is limited, we are scaling back on the non-carrier cows, although we'll always have them along with a short leg bull.  The only way to make any impact on the numbers of short leg Dexters is to use a carrier bull.  We are there now, and we can use the carrier cows to keep our numbers steady or even start to reduce our herd size and have enough to sell.

I believe that the trend toward the short leg is two fold.  People are looking for the next trend, but I believe there is also some push back on the size that many of the polled lines have been producing.  I hate to say it but in this case, Kirk is right.  They will be using chondro as a short cut to reduce the size and make them more palatable to buyers.  There may be a greater incidence of calving issues, as these short leg cattle are bred to bulls that are already throwing large calves.  It may be offset somewhat by the larger size of some of these carriers, being out of large parents themselves.  However, I will not sell one of our carrier heifers to somebody intending on breeding to a polled bull.

[jamshundred]

I thought I would post the stats which include ADCA registrations 28951-37200 and cover into 2015.    I was thinking on the numbers this morning. . . . and I realized how very successful the effort to raise awareness of the tragedy of the polled importation and the need to preserve the earliest horned bloodlines.     The last time I published numbers the percentage for Legacy and Traditional bloodlines was hovering around SEVEN percent of all registrations.   The numbers have now risen to a little over TEN percent.   With the fad and the prices that were floating the polled boat. . .. . to have the preservation lines increase so drastically is monumental indeed!  Add to that. . . . . . traditional and Legacy breeders pulled out of ADCA and are not registering, so . .. . . .  .this is even more significant.  It means the preservation breeders are making inroads with new breeders, and even some who are slowly transitioning their herds.   WAY TO GO ! ! !