Steer
Come say hello to our gentle steer!
Dexter Cattle originated in southern Ireland where they roamed mountainous districts and were raised often as tri-purpose animals, for meat and milk and draft labor. The first record of their import to the USA occurred between 1905 and 1915, and they have become widely popular among livestock farmers for their gentle temperament and easy-to-handle small size compared to other bovine breeds.
Our Dexter steers (meaning castrated male cattle) came to us from Wolsey Farms in Westchester, NY, and have enjoyed life grazing our large orchard pasture, witnessing daily chicken flock soap operas, and reminding visitors that life is best spent lounging around chewing your cud.
DOB: 01/30/2013
Breed: Dexter Steer
- Good-natured
- Teddy bear energy
- Gentle giant
- Loves visitors
DOB: 05/14/2013
Breed: Dexter Steer
- Alert
- Mischievous
- Energetic
- Curious
- Loves to groom Jethro
Cattle as Draft Animals
Draft oxen (male cattle used for labor) were often used in early American agriculture to pull plows and carts.
Pre-American Revolution, during the Adriance Era of what is now Queens County Farm Museum, it was popular for farmers on Long Island to utilize oxen, sometimes alongside horses, to pull either a Dutch or English plow.
The Dutch plow had only one handle and a wheel at the front, while the English design sported two handles and evenly distributed weight for balance. Which was used largely depended on what type of land farmers were working with.
“The two handled plow with a coulter (the English plow) was best for ‘rooty, stony land’ and was drawn by four or six oxen, or sometimes two oxen and three horses. The one handled plow (Dutch plow) was best on level land and was drawn by either two or three horses abreast”
– The Dutch American Farm by David Cohen
Adore our steer? Help care for them year-round! As a Fund-A-Friend Sponsor, your support helps provide essential food, veterinary care, and enrichment to keep them happy and healthy. Click here to learn more!