🌱 Grazing with Dexters + Why We Chose Them for Our Farm

Hey friends,

Last week we kicked things off by introducing our homestead and the heart behind it. This week, we’re diving into something we care a lot about: grazing Dexter cattle and why we chose them in the first place.

🐮 How We Grazed Our Dexters

Dexters are a perfect match for rotational grazing. They’re small, efficient grazers who thrive on nothing but grass. We set up temporary fencing and rotated them every few days — it helped our pastures regrow, spread manure evenly, and kept the cattle healthy and happy.

Here’s what worked for us:

• Broke our pastures into smaller sections with step-in posts & polywire

• Used a solar charger and portable water tanks

• Moved cattle when grass was about 8–12 inches tall

• Kept a simple grazing journal to track progress

Rotational grazing saved us feed costs, improved our land, and made daily herd checks easier.

🥩 Why We Started with Dexter Beef

When we first started building our homestead, we needed a breed that was manageable, efficient, and produced great beef on grass alone. That’s what led us to Dexters.

Dexter cattle are one of the smallest beef breeds in the world — and that’s a good thing. They’re easy to handle, do well on smaller pastures, and are incredibly efficient grazers. We raised them with rotational grazing, which means they moved from pasture to pasture, building healthy soil and thriving off the land.

So why Dexter beef?
Because it’s delicious. Dexter beef is tender and rich, with a depth of flavor that’s hard to find in supermarket meat. It’s naturally lean but still juicy — and the smaller size of the cuts makes it perfect for families who want high-quality beef without giant roasts or steaks.

Here’s what folks love about it:

• ✅ Raised 100% on grass — no grains, no hormones

• ✅ Smaller carcass = more manageable portions

• ✅ Naturally marbled, flavorful meat

• ✅ Heritage breed with a long history of homestead use

We’ve sold quite a few Dexter cattle over the past couple years, and they’ve been a great starting point for anyone wanting to raise their own beef or stock a freezer with clean, local meat.

Thinking of getting into cattle yourself? Or just curious what makes Dexter beef different? I’ll be sharing more in future issues.

Next Week:
We’re talking fencing, handling, and basic equipment you need to get started with cattle — without going broke.

Until then, keep it simple, stay grounded, and enjoy the journey.

– Tim Parker
Start My Homestead
@startmyhomestead | @heritage_springs_farm