Search found 159 matches

by davidw
Thu May 24, 2018 10:54 am
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Johne's Vaccine
Replies: 5
Views: 9993

Re: Johne's Vaccine

Midland Dexter Group holds a bi-annual herd competition. Last year the judge was from another breed society and he commented that he was surprised to find that none of the herds he visited had signed up to a herd health scheme. In his breed society, the majority operate under one or other of these s...
by davidw
Wed Mar 28, 2018 6:14 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Is this the competition?
Replies: 5
Views: 15600

Re: Is this the competition?

We are probably not competing with this although I think that we should be. As I see it, we have two main challenges. One is supply. A group of Dexter owners in the Midlands are organised, prodded and cajoled by Mike Bancroft to supply 3 or 4 Dexters each month to a traditional meats butcher in Cove...
by davidw
Tue Mar 06, 2018 12:36 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Weighing Calves
Replies: 6
Views: 11325

Re: Weighing Calves

I also use bathroom scales on a plywood square. I use very smart electronic scales that I picked up at a supermarket for £3.99 (as far as I remember) as the cardboard box was damaged. I believe in only buying the very best for my Dexters!!. They have lasted at least 5 years so far and I haven't even...
by davidw
Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:38 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Gaveston herd linear assessment
Replies: 3
Views: 7800

Gaveston herd linear assessment

After years of making excuses, I had my cattle assessed today. I found it a very interesting and enjoyable experience. Having pretty decent weather certainly helped the process. I put forward 7 cows, of which one was not assessed as she was over-height. This was not unexpected as I sold one of her c...
by davidw
Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: older bull
Replies: 6
Views: 12025

Re: older bull

Pickstocks at Ashby closed a few years ago. They now operate from a brand new site at Telford. I believe that they wanted to expand the Ashby plant but couldn't get planning permission so moved the whole operation to an industrial estate just North of Telford. I've taken several of my animals there ...
by davidw
Fri Jan 12, 2018 2:17 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Two German Shepherd attack Dexters
Replies: 5
Views: 9712

Re: Two German Shepherd attack Dexters

Unfortunately, this type of incident is all too common, but the typical attacks are against sheep. Its not a new problem but it does seem to be getting more common and devastating. Another website I follow has reports of dogs attacking livestock at least once every week. Far from the owner having an...
by davidw
Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:46 am
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Grassroots website
Replies: 2
Views: 6932

Grassroots website

Is anyone else having difficulty with the Grassroots website. I've tried to enter some cattle sales but it is telling me that I have no stock. I've checked by searching for stock from other owners, and it says they have none either. I've called the DCS office and was advised to keep trying. Its now ...
by davidw
Tue Oct 24, 2017 8:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Daftest question.
Replies: 13
Views: 24378

Re: Daftest question.

Things can go wrong though. One of my bulls got a little over enthusiastic with a lady 3 times his size and strained himself. He did recover despite the vet not holding out much hope for him. He didn't lose his enthusiasm either.
by davidw
Tue Oct 18, 2016 12:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Free for all suckling
Replies: 3
Views: 5937

Free for all suckling

I have two young cows, almost identical sisters although one is one year older than the other. Their calves seem to suckle from either one of them and sometimes the older cow will suckle both calves at the same time. One of the cheeky calves has even started to steal milk from a heifer that has isn'...
by davidw
Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:54 am
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Best treat
Replies: 8
Views: 12101

Re: Best treat

I know that they are an extravagance but Spillers Meadow Herb horse treats are a real favourite with my cattle. If I have a few in my pocket, they can smell them from quite a distance and come over to get them. I find they are useful when halter training to encourage the animal to walk by holding on...
by davidw
Wed Oct 28, 2015 1:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Farm assured
Replies: 3
Views: 4964

Re: Farm assured

I visit quite a number of "Farm Assured" farms in my work of investigating accidents and incidents. I can say that the vast majority of them do not meet the required standard. I visited one memorable farm earlier this year that was not only Farm Assured, it was a Home Office Licensed resea...
by davidw
Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:10 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Insurance headache
Replies: 12
Views: 14454

Re: Insurance headache

I switched to a company called Greenlands Insurance Services in Aberystwyth and saved more than 50% when compared with the NFU. They do a special policy for small-holders and I've found them to be very responsive and keen to help.
by davidw
Sun Nov 30, 2014 5:24 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Outdoor Suckler Herd Feed Query
Replies: 11
Views: 17935

Re: Outdoor Suckler Herd Feed Query

Concerning magnesium levels, the level in the forage depends on the mineral availability from the soil. My soil is light and shallow sandy loam and leaches minerals very quickly. An analysis of my grass showed it was deficient in a whole list of minerals and trace elements including magnesium. Can I...
by davidw
Thu Oct 09, 2014 11:39 am
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Beef Labelling
Replies: 13
Views: 14757

Re: Beef Labelling

I wouldn't describe the Society as being arrogant in setting up the Dexter Beef Certification Scheme. It provides a standard label that we hope consumers will get to recognise and ask for. There is a major problem in the food industry that, despite the requirement for traceability, vast quantities o...
by davidw
Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion Board
Topic: Another Nail in the Coffin
Replies: 19
Views: 17384

Re: Another Nail in the Coffin

I also took the theory test allowing me to transport stock. As it expired they automatically sent me a new one.