Copied from another group

[jamshundred]

I posted this on another group discussion today.



When the Dexter cattle breed was established it was a dwarf breed of horned cattle. Not all the cattle were dwarf in stature, but the dwarf genetics were prominent. After years of breeding with the carrier cattle and having (1) both body styles of the dwarf carriers, (2) he non-carrier bred from mating a carrier and a non-carrier, and (3) a non-carrier mated from two carriers . . . . . . . there ARE differences.



It is my experience that the brochure. . . . . . . . the treasured characteristics of this breed are exemplified in the (1) dwarf carrier. In ALL traits I place them in number one position as a Dexter. I have had carriers during severe drought who barely showed the shortage of good forage in their body condition, while the (2) would show weight loss and the (3) would have ribs protruding. I have never had a dwarf show a change in body condition when nursing her young, (2) depends on various factors and you might see some loss of conditioning, (3) some of these will lose conditioning. My least favorite Dexter is 3. They are the least attractive of all Dexters.



Once the gene for the dwarf genetics was identified in 2002 and a test became available, breeders of non-dwarfs who had previously had to struggle to sell these taller, lankier animals had a new selling point for their cattle. FEAR. They taught new buyers and current owners to be fearful of the sad and pitiful bulldog calf.

Dwarf Dexters were culled from the breed in astonishing numbers. Breeders did not realize they were culling the very basis of this breed. All traits and characteristics that we treasure come from the dwarf genetics.



I have had six bulldog births on my farm in 22 years. And I've had a large herd. Breeding dwarf cattle requires no more education or experience than breeding non-dwarf - just experience and knowledge that teaches one to have an eye for the more at-risk carrier body type.



The Dexter breed had dwindled in numbers in the mother country, Ireland where there was less emphasis and participation for showing cattle. The English nobility became enthralled with the little dwarf breed and as they appeared in more and more of the English cattle shows, enthusiasm for the breed grew. It was the DWARF cattle that saved the breed from the dwindling numbers in Ireland and increased their popularity in England and which brought Dexter cattle to the US. DWARF cattle are the Dexter breed.



The counter part to the small dwarf Dexters were the larger, and in many cases, lankier Kerry cattle. At the time the numbers of Dexters were rising so were the Kerry cattle for a couple of decades. . then the numbers began to decline in the Kerry breed. Today. . . . . . the Kerry breed struggles in all countries to preserve this breed. WHY Because they could not complete with commercial milk breeds nor commercial beef breeds and they could not maintain the same niche market the Dexters had claimed. They did NOT have the same curb appeal as Dexters.



Folks, you are unwittingly setting up the demise of the DEXTER breed by removing the dwarf cattle and growing these cattle beyond the size that gave them popularity and a niche among cattle owners. I do not care how big you grow them, . . . IF. . .. they maintain any of their rootstock genetics. . . . . they will NEVER be able to compete commercially. And if you make them as big as the commerical breeds and lose the traits that endeared them to decades of owners. . . . .. . . . the same thing will happen to Dexters as to the Kerry breed. WHO wants to raise a herd of 50 inch Dexters? Owners may be experiencing financial gains today with these larger cattle. . . . . but it is a FAD. . . . .. . FAD fueled by the brochure written on dwarf cattle

and slowly, one by one new owners drop in and then drop out when they realize the product does not mirror the sales pitch and they do not realize the price in the commercial market for their cattle as other breeds.

Unless they cheat and sell them as something they are not. And I know breeders who do that.



The current pricing fad began by certain breeders because they had something "different" which created a feeding frenzy can not be sustained in this breed. If you doubt me. . . . . you have not lived through the Llama feeding frenzy with high prices, the minature horse frenzy, the mini donkey frenzy, the pot-belly pig frenzy, the emu frenzy, and now the Dexter frenzy. Our breed tinkers on the edge of being destroyed by the same greed.



The Dexter breed is really special. .. .. ... . . in size, personality, mothering, ease of calving, processing of forage and most important of all, the immune system. Or they WERE. I am troubled by the increasing numbers of cases I hear of huge Dexters, owners constantly calling in the vet for one reason or another, calves needing to be pulled. . . milk fever and other conditions related to calving. . . unthrifty Dexters. This should NOT be happening. YOU are responsible for changing a special breed. . . .... .into. . . . . . . . what?



What you should have bought in the first place because it apparently wasn't a DEXTER many sought and in many cases it surely wasn't a Dexter they got.



Judy Sponaugle

Jams Hundred Herd

[jamshundred]

This was also found on another discussion group!   You are MY hero Genebo!   If ANYONE thinks this breed will be sustained with the size they are growing they are living in the fad of today not the reality of tomorrow!   And they simply do not have an abiding fondness or concern for this breed.







cd said: any chance someone with the ears of the BoD could attempt a reality check about height standards?





Genebo said: See if you can convince them to enforce the height standards. It's tiresome seeing pictures of giant cattle at a Dexter show.

[jamshundred]

Dexter folks . . .good thing you can read it here because it was removed from the original board.. . . called "hijacking" a thread!   It was not moved to a new thread. . . just removed.  There is a politically correct faction in this breed who wish to control your thinking and your speaking. It is the Rodney King of the cattle world, " Can't we all just get along?".   Well. .  . NO we can't.  Not when getting along means going along and being passive.   These attempts to quell differing viewpoints is nothing new and many owners, fearing backlash or retaliation if they are outspoken. . . simply are not. I was raised and DO believe that the "only thing to fear is fear itself".  My ancestors braved Indians, government, weather, to gain one of the most important freedoms we enjoy. . . . that of freedom of speech. I urge each of you to STOP allowing your freedoms to be eroded both in the small arena of internet chat groups and in the larger arenas of neighborhood and country. Your opinions may not be popular but they are just as important in the dialogue as those that are applauded. STOP being cowards. SPEAK your piece.

[jamshundred]

Gene,

Guess you took the brunt of my comments on this thread, huh?  I'd say sorry - but what happened is a perfect example of what has been going on for a long time and a thinking person will see through the subterfuge.   While YOU were singled out by the board owner/moderator who posted your comments and then invited negative critique, similar posts to yours seemed to be encouraged.   

This leads me to concern that has been building far beyond one privately managed chat group.   My ancestors were in the Revolutionary war.  At least one was crippled in battle.   They fought to have a country where they could live in freedom of despots and dictatorship.  In the past decades out country has been flooded with immigrants who come from countries where despots rule with iron fists.  They come to America for freedom and opportunity. . . but I am not sure they truly understand the principles of rights and freedoms which were instilled in me year after year growing up here in America.   We are all products of our environment and I am concerned that my country is being changed by new citizens who do NOT understand the freedoms men died to give us.  They are products of their controlled upbringing and I feel like some of that is comfortable to them and it lingers and they do not fight for the rights I was taught to guard zealously.  Perhaps it seems a minor thing to change words and content or to delete ideas and opinions. . . . . . but that is not my America.   That is so against our guaranteed rights. .   . and it is troubling to me that fellow citizens do not stand up and say so.  We are really in trouble as a country and it shows everyday as our position in the world diminishes.  We have lost our backbone!

 You were held up to public ridicule.  Probably because of criticism on this board ( to which there was reference and a veiled plea for accolade and praise).  So there you go.   Rather disappointing becauses it goes further than controlling content or playing to the choir and moves to an act which has the appearance of retaliation by proxy.

Judy