Proud Supporters of Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA)
Saving Farmland Today for Future Generations Tomorrow
© 2016 Stone Meadow Farm
A Little History...
Dexter cattle were known as the "cottage cow" of Ireland. A family might have kept one for milk on as little as three acres of pasture. Offspring would be used for meat or sold for cash. Dexter cattle are the smallest bovine (beside "miniature" cows). Adult cows weigh 600-700 pounds. Adult bulls weigh up to 1000 pounds. In comparison, an adult Angus, Simmental or Herford can weigh over 1500 pounds. Dexters can be black, dark red or dun in color. They have small and thick horns that grow outward with a forward curve on the male and upward on the cow. A polled Dexter strain was developed in the 1990's.
Dexters were popular in England in the 19th century and the first registry began there in the early 1800s. They first came to the America's in the early 20th century. Their small size led to limited acceptance by the beef industry. But those who had herds were devoted to the gentle and easy to manage bovine and kept a breeding population alive.
Motherhood
Dexters are good mothers. Birthing is relatively easy as calves weight only 30 pounds at birth. Cows share guardianship of the herd's young which allows each mother some down time to graze and rest.
Popularity
Dexters, as a breed, have had somewhat of a resurgence of popularity during the last 20 years for the same reasons they were popular two centuries ago: they're small and can be managed on small farms; and, they're gentle and can be managed by farmers with limited experience.
HISTORY
Stone Meadow Farm is located in the Town of Easton in Washington County, New York. The area is known as the Upper Hudson Valley's "Agricultural Bread Basket". Beautiful views to the Adirondacks in the northwest and to Vermont's Green Mountains in the east appear over each knoll and around each bend. Agricultural use of the land conserves open space and roadway vistas much as they were during the early 1800s. Many 19th century farm homes remain providing a look into Easton's historical agricultural background. In 2003, Stone Meadow Farm donated their development rights to the Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) in order to keep the land viable for farming and protect it from future development.
Stone Meadow Farm's breeding program is simple: Breed the best to the best to improve all positive traits in an animal. At our farm, artificial insemination was tried only once. Unhappy with the outcome, Stone Meadow Farm now only breeds with bulls of known character and disposition that live on our farm. There is no substitute for first hand knowledge of both the male bull and the female dam to increase the chances of getting quality offspring.
100% Pasture and Grass Fed
All of Stone Meadow Farm's Dexters are 100% pasture and grass fed. The herd always has access to the pastures for forage from April to November and for exercise during the winter when pasture grass is dormant. Stone Meadow Farm does not use any growth stimulants or artificial food additives. Although we stay away from antibiotic use as much as possible, when necessary, we do treat animals that are sick or injured as we feel it would be inhumane not to. We keep detailed records on each animal's health and any treatments given.
100% Fresh Air Access
Dexters are well suited to winter weather and their long hair insulates them from mother nature's harshest conditions. During the winter, Dexters are provided with ample supplies of high quality hay which has been grown right on our own farm. At Stone Meadow Farm, Dexters have year round access to barns and run-in sheds. Their preference, however, for the open fields is obvious, especially when they are seen completely content with a layer of snow on their backs.
Directions
Visitors are always welcome at the farm. When you are driving through beautiful Easton, please feel free to stop by to see our wonderful Dexters.
Hours
We do not have any set hours at Stone Meadow Farm. If you'd like to stop by, please give us a call at 518-692-9003 so we can make sure to be around when you arrive.
