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Chairmans report submitted by Malcolm Eykyn for the AGM on 9th February 2022
Like everyone else the Covid Pandemic paralysed all our planned face to face activities in 2020 but I am delighted to say we managed to bounce back last year by resurrecting some of our meetings. We kicked off with our first face to face meeting by generous invitation of Committee member Nik Spencer and his wife on their home farm. This was purely a social gathering and although well into spring it was a cold wet day but fourteen of us were welcomed by the wonderful smell of barbecue smoked Dexter beef being cooked in the shelter of the barn. It was absolutely delicious. We didn’t need any persuasion to tuck in and warm ourselves up and to feel the relief of at last getting out and meeting friends again after a long winter of lockdowns.
Next we were entertained to a delightful farm visit near Kidderminster hosted by our very own Penny Wadey who is also secretary. In gorgeous late May sunshine twenty odd members were treated to an amusing display of a herd of thirty or so good looking Dexters racing backwards and forwards in the green meadows below us. It almost seemed to be choreographed ! One member quipped this was the start of The Dexter Derby season. Penny demonstrated the work she had been doing to develop a mob grazing system and flower rich meadows in her Higher Level Stewardship scheme. We were inspired. Afterwards Penny and a one of her close friends treated us to lovely proper home baked cakes and drinks.
Then with the valuable support of the Dexter Cattle Society and in particular Stephen Adcock, the chairman, Andy Ryder, the secretary and Alison Burberry, office manager, the Midlands Dexter Group organised and hosted a WORLD FIRST LECTURE held at Wethele Manor, Warwickshire in July 2021. Ninety members from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and around England attended to listen to Dr. Sarah Morgan deliver her inaugural lecture on the first ever detailed biochemical and nutritional analysis of grass only fed Dexter meat. This was undertaken under the direction of Professor Mike Lee who was the head of research at the World’s largest and oldest research farm at Rothampsted in Devon. He had spent the previous seven years analysing the meat of grass only fed ruminant meat, particularly beef and discovered that not only does it have a vital role in sustainable global food security but that it is one of the richest, sustainable natural sources of human nutrition known. This is because of its high content of ESSENTIAL fatty acids such as omega three and six oils, readily assimilated minerals and vitamins vital for human health.
When measured against similar research on other grass only fed beef breeds you will be proud to know Dexter Beef scored particularly well. It is these outstanding qualities that can now, for the first time, put grass only fed Dexter meat producers in an enviable position to promote the breed and product because we have the backing of the science.
It would be negligent of us not to use this as a powerful and exciting opportunity to Market our grass only fed beef at a new level by educating the public about what we are producing. As the majority of us are only very small producers (and not many of us) we don’t have the financial muscle individually to launch an effective campaign. Like any effective campaign we are only likely to succeed by having strength in numbers. The intention would be to combine the resources of the DCS membership to finance and steer targeted advertising via a professional website and other media platforms in an effort to raise the public awareness of our special and very niche product. This in turn would be designed to create more demand and hence raise the value and sale price to make it a more viable commodity to us the producers. Remember it is a rare breed because it is currently not commercially viable like the better known beef breeds.
That means forming a cooperative of like minds beginning with a representative or two from each regional affiliated Dexter group in the U.K. These founding representative members would provide the basis of a discussion committee to formulate the criteria necessary to coordinate a REGULAR SUPPLY of WELL FINISHED pedigree animals which the market would demand of a high quality product.
We as the Midlands Dexter Group held a meeting in October at the Broom Inn near Bidford on Avon specifically on beef marketing as a follow up to the lecture. We had a lively debate about the above and agreed at the end that we would submit this proposal to all the affiliated regions within the DCS. We hope to have this first meeting of regional representatives later in the spring by Zoom.
Also this year we managed to resurrect our two yearly herd competition in August where seven good quality herds were judged. This didn’t attract the usual number of entrants probably because of pandemic caution but we find it is an effective event to see what our members are doing and learn from each other. The other significant advantage is that it is a fraction of the cost of showing your animals at a formal show.
All our other meetings - mostly committee meetings were held online. However as we emerge hopefully from the Omicron variant we hope to have more face to face meetings and already have a full year of events to look forward to.
Malcolm Eykyn
Like everyone else the Covid Pandemic paralysed all our planned face to face activities in 2020 but I am delighted to say we managed to bounce back last year by resurrecting some of our meetings. We kicked off with our first face to face meeting by generous invitation of Committee member Nik Spencer and his wife on their home farm. This was purely a social gathering and although well into spring it was a cold wet day but fourteen of us were welcomed by the wonderful smell of barbecue smoked Dexter beef being cooked in the shelter of the barn. It was absolutely delicious. We didn’t need any persuasion to tuck in and warm ourselves up and to feel the relief of at last getting out and meeting friends again after a long winter of lockdowns.
Next we were entertained to a delightful farm visit near Kidderminster hosted by our very own Penny Wadey who is also secretary. In gorgeous late May sunshine twenty odd members were treated to an amusing display of a herd of thirty or so good looking Dexters racing backwards and forwards in the green meadows below us. It almost seemed to be choreographed ! One member quipped this was the start of The Dexter Derby season. Penny demonstrated the work she had been doing to develop a mob grazing system and flower rich meadows in her Higher Level Stewardship scheme. We were inspired. Afterwards Penny and a one of her close friends treated us to lovely proper home baked cakes and drinks.
Then with the valuable support of the Dexter Cattle Society and in particular Stephen Adcock, the chairman, Andy Ryder, the secretary and Alison Burberry, office manager, the Midlands Dexter Group organised and hosted a WORLD FIRST LECTURE held at Wethele Manor, Warwickshire in July 2021. Ninety members from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and around England attended to listen to Dr. Sarah Morgan deliver her inaugural lecture on the first ever detailed biochemical and nutritional analysis of grass only fed Dexter meat. This was undertaken under the direction of Professor Mike Lee who was the head of research at the World’s largest and oldest research farm at Rothampsted in Devon. He had spent the previous seven years analysing the meat of grass only fed ruminant meat, particularly beef and discovered that not only does it have a vital role in sustainable global food security but that it is one of the richest, sustainable natural sources of human nutrition known. This is because of its high content of ESSENTIAL fatty acids such as omega three and six oils, readily assimilated minerals and vitamins vital for human health.
When measured against similar research on other grass only fed beef breeds you will be proud to know Dexter Beef scored particularly well. It is these outstanding qualities that can now, for the first time, put grass only fed Dexter meat producers in an enviable position to promote the breed and product because we have the backing of the science.
It would be negligent of us not to use this as a powerful and exciting opportunity to Market our grass only fed beef at a new level by educating the public about what we are producing. As the majority of us are only very small producers (and not many of us) we don’t have the financial muscle individually to launch an effective campaign. Like any effective campaign we are only likely to succeed by having strength in numbers. The intention would be to combine the resources of the DCS membership to finance and steer targeted advertising via a professional website and other media platforms in an effort to raise the public awareness of our special and very niche product. This in turn would be designed to create more demand and hence raise the value and sale price to make it a more viable commodity to us the producers. Remember it is a rare breed because it is currently not commercially viable like the better known beef breeds.
That means forming a cooperative of like minds beginning with a representative or two from each regional affiliated Dexter group in the U.K. These founding representative members would provide the basis of a discussion committee to formulate the criteria necessary to coordinate a REGULAR SUPPLY of WELL FINISHED pedigree animals which the market would demand of a high quality product.
We as the Midlands Dexter Group held a meeting in October at the Broom Inn near Bidford on Avon specifically on beef marketing as a follow up to the lecture. We had a lively debate about the above and agreed at the end that we would submit this proposal to all the affiliated regions within the DCS. We hope to have this first meeting of regional representatives later in the spring by Zoom.
Also this year we managed to resurrect our two yearly herd competition in August where seven good quality herds were judged. This didn’t attract the usual number of entrants probably because of pandemic caution but we find it is an effective event to see what our members are doing and learn from each other. The other significant advantage is that it is a fraction of the cost of showing your animals at a formal show.
All our other meetings - mostly committee meetings were held online. However as we emerge hopefully from the Omicron variant we hope to have more face to face meetings and already have a full year of events to look forward to.
Malcolm Eykyn

Article submitted by Michael Bancroft (26th November 2020)
My ups and downs with Lockdown
First if you look at the link in the Midland Page go to Moonshine Dexter Herd-https:/www.business-live.co.uk, its an old herd profile but a good overview of Moonshine Dexters.
It is now six years I have been retired. Time goes so fast. Before lockdown I would have been out two days a week doing Tai Chi and Time 4 Talking, when a group of people with Parkinson’s meet, also I would have been playing indoor Bowls three or four times a week.
We have lost four holidays, to Norfolk, Germany, one to see Dolly Parton and one to Chatsworth at Christmas. We had a refund on all.
I did manage to get a visit to Cotswold Falconry Centre. I had a great day with an Owl Experience with Susan and one of my Granddaughters, Meg. Many thanks to Midland Group.
The first lockdown went fast as the weather was so good, most of the time l was out in the garden having a new shed put up and doing all the things needed round the house. We emptied our last packing case from when we moved in September 2014.
The lockdown in November, Susan and I have been very careful as now I have just had my 75th Birthday and having Parkinson’s for the last eight years and Susan with Asthma and being a Diabetic we just keep ourselves to ourselves. Christmas will be very quiet this year but we are still here!
I still look after the beef side to Paul Mac with Penny Wadey’s help. If you have any Dexters please let me know. We have placed 52 cattle this year.
Looking on the good side of things, in 2019 we put 9000 miles on the car. In 2020 it will be about 2500 miles as for 12 weeks the car only travelled 2 miles per week to Morrisons and we spent no money!
Look after yourselves, be safe and see you all in 2021.
Michael
My ups and downs with Lockdown
First if you look at the link in the Midland Page go to Moonshine Dexter Herd-https:/www.business-live.co.uk, its an old herd profile but a good overview of Moonshine Dexters.
It is now six years I have been retired. Time goes so fast. Before lockdown I would have been out two days a week doing Tai Chi and Time 4 Talking, when a group of people with Parkinson’s meet, also I would have been playing indoor Bowls three or four times a week.
We have lost four holidays, to Norfolk, Germany, one to see Dolly Parton and one to Chatsworth at Christmas. We had a refund on all.
I did manage to get a visit to Cotswold Falconry Centre. I had a great day with an Owl Experience with Susan and one of my Granddaughters, Meg. Many thanks to Midland Group.
The first lockdown went fast as the weather was so good, most of the time l was out in the garden having a new shed put up and doing all the things needed round the house. We emptied our last packing case from when we moved in September 2014.
The lockdown in November, Susan and I have been very careful as now I have just had my 75th Birthday and having Parkinson’s for the last eight years and Susan with Asthma and being a Diabetic we just keep ourselves to ourselves. Christmas will be very quiet this year but we are still here!
I still look after the beef side to Paul Mac with Penny Wadey’s help. If you have any Dexters please let me know. We have placed 52 cattle this year.
Looking on the good side of things, in 2019 we put 9000 miles on the car. In 2020 it will be about 2500 miles as for 12 weeks the car only travelled 2 miles per week to Morrisons and we spent no money!
Look after yourselves, be safe and see you all in 2021.
Michael
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Article submitted by Penny Wadey, Secretary MDG (16th August 2020)
Springtree Dexters at Woodside Farm
A Work in Progress
Unfortunately, the planned visit to my herd of Dexters and farm by the Midland Dexter Group could not go ahead this year but I hope you will all be able to come on our rearranged visit in 2021. In the meantime, I thought I would give you a little bit of background on the farm and my Dexter’s.
On returning from the Three Counties Show in 2015 we decided to start a small suckling herd of Dexter cattle on our family farm situated on the Worcestershire /Shropshire boarder.
The last of our dairy cows had left the farm in 1989 and since then the grassland had been let out for hay/silage and 40 acres of permeant pasture rented out for summer grazing for a small beef suckling herd. The owner of the suckling herd retired in 2014 and me and my Dad decided that we could possibly have some of our own cattle again.
Why Dexters you ask?? Mainly their small size appealed after not having any hands-on experience with cattle for over 25 years. Also, much of the farm is heavy clay so thought they would be lighter on their feet than larger breeds and more able to winter out. Over the years without cattle the farm buildings had been converted into small business units turning the farm into a business park with no suitable cattle housing available when my first cattle arrived in the Autumn of 2015.
We had made a few trips to look at individual advertised cattle but soon realised we needed to buy a few together otherwise it was going to take a while to have enough cattle to start the herd and eat the grass available. I found my cattle mostly by looking on the Dexter Herd Book online and listing medium to large herds in my area and then phoned a few people to see if they had any cattle available. It was then that I discovered how helpful Dexter owners were, freely giving advice to us, people who knew very little and spent ages deciding what they were looking for. The herd started with seven cows with calves at foot and four yearling heifers, with a bull added the following year. Not having decided if I liked short or non-short best, I bought a mixture although my herd is virtually all non-short now.
My first calf was born in a dismal January outside in the wettest part of the furthest field and had to be collected in a wheelbarrow to be brought into a paddock closer to the house. We and all cattle survived our first winter but soon decided we needed some winter housing. By the next winter we had a covered yard with a feeding area for the homegrown hay and became much more proficient as cattle keepers.
I also became a member of the MDG and had access to all that valuable knowledge and years of experience that has been vital and priceless.
Sadly, I had lost both my parents by the summer of 2018 and became the sole owner of my herd and responsible for the farm. My profession (day job) is as an environmental scientist and my passion mainly plants. Gaining sole control of my fields, I applied for Countryside Stewardship grants to upgrade to species rich grassland. I also applied to have new fences to protect my hedges which after 25 years of neglect and 3 years of being eaten by Dexters were in a bit of a sorry state. My CS scheme started in 2019 and 18 months on the fences and water troughs are upgraded and the wildflower and grass seeds planted. Although following waterlogging and drought there are not too many signs of wildflowers at the moment. Everyone says by the second year they start to establish so come and see for yourself and join our farm visit in 2021.
The Dexters will be here too, I currently have thirty six Dexters in total including eight calves born this spring and a friendly bull (Gaveston Loxley). They will be certified organic by next year although I am not sure how much this will affect the price or saleability of my beef. At the moment sold as mixed beef boxes direct from the farm or in to the MDG beef scheme.
So, the current aim of my work in progress is to produce tasty organic beef from cattle fed solely on grass and hay made from species rich grassland, while at the same time improving the biodiversity of the farm and fulfilling my lifelong love of cows.
Penny Wadey
MDG Secretary
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Article submitted by Malcolm Eykyn, Chairman MDG (16th August 2020)
‘New Scientific Research Reveals Unique Nutritional Value of Grass only Fed Dexter Meat’
Last year for the first time in the world grass only fed Dexter meat was subject to several months of detailed biochemical research at the largest research farm on the planet. Dr. Sarah Morgan, a senior member of Professor Michael Lee’s team (himself one of the world’s leading experts on research into grass only fed ruminants), undertook this pioneering research at Rothamsted near Okehampton in Devon has now completed her work and after submitting it for ‘Peer Review’ will then publish it as a formal scientific paper.
After three years of effort I managed to persuade Professor Lee to first come and give the Midlands Dexter Group a lecture on his latest work which he very kindly did in 2018 and then last year to analyse six sirloin Dexter steaks from six separate animals in his laboratory. I can reveal the results and conclusions of this study are significant and, I believe, will provide marketing material, if properly used, to launch a campaign which could transform the knowledge and reputation of grass only fed beef, and in particular Dexters, to the general public. This in turn may well drive Dexters to new heights by creating a niche market for itself and earn the premium pricing that it deserves.
Dr.Sarah Morgan has very generously agreed to give her inaugural lecture on this work to those of you who are interested in February 2021. The exact date and venue are still to be confirmed but you can register your wish to attend by contacting our MDG secretary or the National secretary of the Dexter Cattle Society or simply watch this space for an update.
Article submitted by Penny Wadey, Secretary MDG (16th August 2020)
Springtree Dexters at Woodside Farm
A Work in Progress
Unfortunately, the planned visit to my herd of Dexters and farm by the Midland Dexter Group could not go ahead this year but I hope you will all be able to come on our rearranged visit in 2021. In the meantime, I thought I would give you a little bit of background on the farm and my Dexter’s.
On returning from the Three Counties Show in 2015 we decided to start a small suckling herd of Dexter cattle on our family farm situated on the Worcestershire /Shropshire boarder.
The last of our dairy cows had left the farm in 1989 and since then the grassland had been let out for hay/silage and 40 acres of permeant pasture rented out for summer grazing for a small beef suckling herd. The owner of the suckling herd retired in 2014 and me and my Dad decided that we could possibly have some of our own cattle again.
Why Dexters you ask?? Mainly their small size appealed after not having any hands-on experience with cattle for over 25 years. Also, much of the farm is heavy clay so thought they would be lighter on their feet than larger breeds and more able to winter out. Over the years without cattle the farm buildings had been converted into small business units turning the farm into a business park with no suitable cattle housing available when my first cattle arrived in the Autumn of 2015.
We had made a few trips to look at individual advertised cattle but soon realised we needed to buy a few together otherwise it was going to take a while to have enough cattle to start the herd and eat the grass available. I found my cattle mostly by looking on the Dexter Herd Book online and listing medium to large herds in my area and then phoned a few people to see if they had any cattle available. It was then that I discovered how helpful Dexter owners were, freely giving advice to us, people who knew very little and spent ages deciding what they were looking for. The herd started with seven cows with calves at foot and four yearling heifers, with a bull added the following year. Not having decided if I liked short or non-short best, I bought a mixture although my herd is virtually all non-short now.
My first calf was born in a dismal January outside in the wettest part of the furthest field and had to be collected in a wheelbarrow to be brought into a paddock closer to the house. We and all cattle survived our first winter but soon decided we needed some winter housing. By the next winter we had a covered yard with a feeding area for the homegrown hay and became much more proficient as cattle keepers.
I also became a member of the MDG and had access to all that valuable knowledge and years of experience that has been vital and priceless.
Sadly, I had lost both my parents by the summer of 2018 and became the sole owner of my herd and responsible for the farm. My profession (day job) is as an environmental scientist and my passion mainly plants. Gaining sole control of my fields, I applied for Countryside Stewardship grants to upgrade to species rich grassland. I also applied to have new fences to protect my hedges which after 25 years of neglect and 3 years of being eaten by Dexters were in a bit of a sorry state. My CS scheme started in 2019 and 18 months on the fences and water troughs are upgraded and the wildflower and grass seeds planted. Although following waterlogging and drought there are not too many signs of wildflowers at the moment. Everyone says by the second year they start to establish so come and see for yourself and join our farm visit in 2021.
The Dexters will be here too, I currently have thirty six Dexters in total including eight calves born this spring and a friendly bull (Gaveston Loxley). They will be certified organic by next year although I am not sure how much this will affect the price or saleability of my beef. At the moment sold as mixed beef boxes direct from the farm or in to the MDG beef scheme.
So, the current aim of my work in progress is to produce tasty organic beef from cattle fed solely on grass and hay made from species rich grassland, while at the same time improving the biodiversity of the farm and fulfilling my lifelong love of cows.
Penny Wadey
MDG Secretary
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Article submitted by Malcolm Eykyn, Chairman MDG (16th August 2020)
‘New Scientific Research Reveals Unique Nutritional Value of Grass only Fed Dexter Meat’
Last year for the first time in the world grass only fed Dexter meat was subject to several months of detailed biochemical research at the largest research farm on the planet. Dr. Sarah Morgan, a senior member of Professor Michael Lee’s team (himself one of the world’s leading experts on research into grass only fed ruminants), undertook this pioneering research at Rothamsted near Okehampton in Devon has now completed her work and after submitting it for ‘Peer Review’ will then publish it as a formal scientific paper.
After three years of effort I managed to persuade Professor Lee to first come and give the Midlands Dexter Group a lecture on his latest work which he very kindly did in 2018 and then last year to analyse six sirloin Dexter steaks from six separate animals in his laboratory. I can reveal the results and conclusions of this study are significant and, I believe, will provide marketing material, if properly used, to launch a campaign which could transform the knowledge and reputation of grass only fed beef, and in particular Dexters, to the general public. This in turn may well drive Dexters to new heights by creating a niche market for itself and earn the premium pricing that it deserves.
Dr.Sarah Morgan has very generously agreed to give her inaugural lecture on this work to those of you who are interested in February 2021. The exact date and venue are still to be confirmed but you can register your wish to attend by contacting our MDG secretary or the National secretary of the Dexter Cattle Society or simply watch this space for an update.
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2016- by Malcolm Eykyn
Dear Dexter Devotees,
This is my first attempt at a newsletter since taking over the position of Secretary of the Midlands Dexter Group this spring so I am still green around the gills. Before I bring you all up to date can I say to all concerned on the existing committee and one or two past members how much I appreciate their support in very practical ways with my new role. I am afraid my IT skills are awful and inevitably I will be making mistakes so hope you will all bear with me.
Another change to the committee in the spring was the vacancy of treasurer being filled by the very able and willing Sue Bancroft who has kindly agreed to stay in post until at least the end of the year. On behalf of you all can I say thank you to Sue. It is quite an onerous experience chasing people up for subs,keeping an eye on expenses and balancing the books.
Now for the interesting stuff which helps to keep us together and enjoy the breed. First off this year was a lecture/interactive discussion led by Steve Borsberry,senior vet at a large practice in Warwickshire. The meeting was held on a dry but chilly morning on the last Sunday in February at Weston-sub-Edge village hall. Steve made a complicated and potentially dull talk on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea both interesting,amusing and entertaining with the skilful use of a rag doll as a prop. It made us all think about whether we should have our own herds assessed for BVD in view of it's consequences if any of your animals get it. Vaccination at the right time can prevent it. Bless him - although he recommended we give serious thought to having a veterarian assessment for BVD he wasn't trying to leech business and suggested you approach your own vet. Steve then went on to educate us about the much more rare and difficult to deal with Johne's disease. There must have been about thirty of us attending and all brought a food contribution for lunch before we departed.
On the 8th of May Lin and Lucy Blackwell hosted a DCS Beef Committee Open Day on their farm at East Challow in very rural Oxfordshire. Goodness those two ladies work hard and so we were fortunate they were prepared to spend a big chunk of the day talking us through their enterprises. They even made time to organise a hot lunch for us at very reasonable cost.
In addition to having a single suckle Dexter herd they have a significant number of another herd of rare breed Irish Moiled cattle. They also rear Fresian bull calves,have a flock of rare breed sheep and Lucy does relief milking. If that wasn't enough Lin and Lucy have over recent years invested heavily in developing their own cutting room in one of the outbuildings and butcher their own meat. Lin said; "We started attending Farmers Markets in 2004 selling our home produced Dexter beef. Over the last 12 years we have learnt an awful lot and changed a lot of things but one thing remains constant and that is the quality of the product we sell namely Dexter beef. The abattoir is 15 miles away and the carcass is delivered to a local butcher and hung for 21 days before being cut into primals. Once collected the final cutting and packing takes place in our purpose built meat room. Burgers and meatballs are made to make use of the trim. Offal is packed and sold at the markets as well. It takes around 6 hours to cut and pack a carcass ready for market including mincing. To make burgers and meatballs takes another two hours. We use vac pack for all cuts except the burgers and meatballs which are put on polystyrene trays and over wrapped".
Cost of abattoir,delivery,butcher to produce primals,vac pack and disposal of waste £210. At the end of the meeting Lin and Lucy said members are welcome to give them a ring; Lin on 07767880318 and Lucy on 07899981551.
On June the 5th. Val and Malcolm Eykyn hosted a herd visit and farm walk. We were very fortunate to have a beautiful sunny day and a leisurely conducted tour of the small holding of 50 acres. This was preceded by being given a summary of the marketing and direct sales methods they use to their consumers. Several of their customers are doctors and one is a heart specialist so the Dexter meat can't be that bad for you!!
Half the farm is devoted to permanent pasture and the other half to Higher Level Stewardship crops of "Wild Bird Seed Mix" and "Pollen and Nectar" rotated every three years and "Flouristically Enhanced". Put simply it is growing wild flowers for the benefit of endangered species of birds and invertebrates sponsored by Brussels instead of growing commercial crops. At the time we walked round the wild flowers were growing thick and fast and Steve Poole was heard to say " What a waste feeding that lot to the birds and the bees when my cattle could be having it!" To make this part of the walk more interesting Mike Robinson local specialist in HLS from Natural England explained the rationale for growing these crops,identifying the individual wild flowers and the benefits that had been achieved so far. 20 feet up an Oak tree in the middle of one field was a barn owl box which had been erected 4 years before with no result until two weeks before a pair of Kestrels had adopted it and successfully bred 5 chicks that were ringed by a specialist 3 days before. Everyone was shown a photograph to prove it!
When we got to the Dexters - all 48 of them in the same field,Sally Poole did no more than lie down in the middle of them! They didn't bat an eyelid. We got back to the farmhouse garden for lunch and had an excellent lunch contributed to by all. It was so hot by then some of us had to sit in the tent. Finally we had an open business meeting before departing. 25 people attended with 13 apologies. Most of those apologies because busy farming time of the year.
Now to forthcoming events: First is a herd visit see Dexters on conservation grazing on the Leckhampton hills - you should have already had an e-mail from me with the details. This is on Sunday 4th September 11.00am start from Leckhampton Scout Hut GL53 0AL. And being kindly hosted by last year's winners of the small herd competition Anne and Annette North. Please let Anne or myself know if you are coming so we can cater for numbers.
We are hoping to persuade Professor Mike Lee to come and talk to us. He is a leading world scientist into the research of grass only fed ruminants who has recently published some papers on his "cutting edge" results. His findings are so significant he was asked to present them to the "Royal Society". They have the potential to change the public's perception of this type of red meat which up till now has received a persistent bashing in the media. This could happen in the Autumn/Winter so watch this space.
AGM. This has been booked for Sunday the 4th December at Hardwicke village hall starting at 11.00am. We are hoping to book a good pub nearby for a hot meal/Xmas lunch afterwards for those that can stop after the meeting.
Your committee have also asked your secretary to arrange another trip to Lower Watchbury Farm in January/February 2017 to see endangered species of wild birds while they feed on the "Wild Bird Seed" mix. We are hoping this will be conducted by Matt Willmott of Natural England who specialises in wild birds and has the unique ability to recognise them by their call even he can't see them. If we can arrange that you will need to bring your binoculars.
Steve Poole suggested at the last open business meeting in June to have another Vet lecture so your committee will be exploring that for the late Spring if there is time.
Mike Ford suggested at the same meeting that we try and have the next herd visit out of our area and perhaps make a week end of it. With that in mind your committee has decided to try first Abergavenny or failing that Carlisle or Penrith to take place at the mid/end of July 2017
Mike Bancroft has agreed to try and arrange for the group to make a visit to the Applebie's organic dairy farm in Bretforton proceeding to their ice cream factory afterwards. This could happen on the first or second weekend in May.
Mike Bancroft has also kindly agreed to arrange next year's herd competition which the committee have decided should be judged by a non Dexter judge for a change. This will be held over three days with committee members volunteering to drive the judge to the various herds competing. Please think about entering your own herd large or small next year when applications go out.
Other work being organised by your committee in the next few months are;
1. Improvements to the group exhibition stand.
2. Research possibility of sponsoring two classes at the next Three Counties Show.
a) Best home bred Dexter
b) Best young handler
3. Investigate production of new diaries for members
4. Design a new club leaflet to include in a new members pack as well as send out to existing members.
Thanks for your time in reading this and will up date you on events in the next newsletter in the New year. I would be grateful for your ideas in improving this newsletter as this is as you know my first shot at it.
Dear Dexter Devotees,
This is my first attempt at a newsletter since taking over the position of Secretary of the Midlands Dexter Group this spring so I am still green around the gills. Before I bring you all up to date can I say to all concerned on the existing committee and one or two past members how much I appreciate their support in very practical ways with my new role. I am afraid my IT skills are awful and inevitably I will be making mistakes so hope you will all bear with me.
Another change to the committee in the spring was the vacancy of treasurer being filled by the very able and willing Sue Bancroft who has kindly agreed to stay in post until at least the end of the year. On behalf of you all can I say thank you to Sue. It is quite an onerous experience chasing people up for subs,keeping an eye on expenses and balancing the books.
Now for the interesting stuff which helps to keep us together and enjoy the breed. First off this year was a lecture/interactive discussion led by Steve Borsberry,senior vet at a large practice in Warwickshire. The meeting was held on a dry but chilly morning on the last Sunday in February at Weston-sub-Edge village hall. Steve made a complicated and potentially dull talk on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea both interesting,amusing and entertaining with the skilful use of a rag doll as a prop. It made us all think about whether we should have our own herds assessed for BVD in view of it's consequences if any of your animals get it. Vaccination at the right time can prevent it. Bless him - although he recommended we give serious thought to having a veterarian assessment for BVD he wasn't trying to leech business and suggested you approach your own vet. Steve then went on to educate us about the much more rare and difficult to deal with Johne's disease. There must have been about thirty of us attending and all brought a food contribution for lunch before we departed.
On the 8th of May Lin and Lucy Blackwell hosted a DCS Beef Committee Open Day on their farm at East Challow in very rural Oxfordshire. Goodness those two ladies work hard and so we were fortunate they were prepared to spend a big chunk of the day talking us through their enterprises. They even made time to organise a hot lunch for us at very reasonable cost.
In addition to having a single suckle Dexter herd they have a significant number of another herd of rare breed Irish Moiled cattle. They also rear Fresian bull calves,have a flock of rare breed sheep and Lucy does relief milking. If that wasn't enough Lin and Lucy have over recent years invested heavily in developing their own cutting room in one of the outbuildings and butcher their own meat. Lin said; "We started attending Farmers Markets in 2004 selling our home produced Dexter beef. Over the last 12 years we have learnt an awful lot and changed a lot of things but one thing remains constant and that is the quality of the product we sell namely Dexter beef. The abattoir is 15 miles away and the carcass is delivered to a local butcher and hung for 21 days before being cut into primals. Once collected the final cutting and packing takes place in our purpose built meat room. Burgers and meatballs are made to make use of the trim. Offal is packed and sold at the markets as well. It takes around 6 hours to cut and pack a carcass ready for market including mincing. To make burgers and meatballs takes another two hours. We use vac pack for all cuts except the burgers and meatballs which are put on polystyrene trays and over wrapped".
Cost of abattoir,delivery,butcher to produce primals,vac pack and disposal of waste £210. At the end of the meeting Lin and Lucy said members are welcome to give them a ring; Lin on 07767880318 and Lucy on 07899981551.
On June the 5th. Val and Malcolm Eykyn hosted a herd visit and farm walk. We were very fortunate to have a beautiful sunny day and a leisurely conducted tour of the small holding of 50 acres. This was preceded by being given a summary of the marketing and direct sales methods they use to their consumers. Several of their customers are doctors and one is a heart specialist so the Dexter meat can't be that bad for you!!
Half the farm is devoted to permanent pasture and the other half to Higher Level Stewardship crops of "Wild Bird Seed Mix" and "Pollen and Nectar" rotated every three years and "Flouristically Enhanced". Put simply it is growing wild flowers for the benefit of endangered species of birds and invertebrates sponsored by Brussels instead of growing commercial crops. At the time we walked round the wild flowers were growing thick and fast and Steve Poole was heard to say " What a waste feeding that lot to the birds and the bees when my cattle could be having it!" To make this part of the walk more interesting Mike Robinson local specialist in HLS from Natural England explained the rationale for growing these crops,identifying the individual wild flowers and the benefits that had been achieved so far. 20 feet up an Oak tree in the middle of one field was a barn owl box which had been erected 4 years before with no result until two weeks before a pair of Kestrels had adopted it and successfully bred 5 chicks that were ringed by a specialist 3 days before. Everyone was shown a photograph to prove it!
When we got to the Dexters - all 48 of them in the same field,Sally Poole did no more than lie down in the middle of them! They didn't bat an eyelid. We got back to the farmhouse garden for lunch and had an excellent lunch contributed to by all. It was so hot by then some of us had to sit in the tent. Finally we had an open business meeting before departing. 25 people attended with 13 apologies. Most of those apologies because busy farming time of the year.
Now to forthcoming events: First is a herd visit see Dexters on conservation grazing on the Leckhampton hills - you should have already had an e-mail from me with the details. This is on Sunday 4th September 11.00am start from Leckhampton Scout Hut GL53 0AL. And being kindly hosted by last year's winners of the small herd competition Anne and Annette North. Please let Anne or myself know if you are coming so we can cater for numbers.
We are hoping to persuade Professor Mike Lee to come and talk to us. He is a leading world scientist into the research of grass only fed ruminants who has recently published some papers on his "cutting edge" results. His findings are so significant he was asked to present them to the "Royal Society". They have the potential to change the public's perception of this type of red meat which up till now has received a persistent bashing in the media. This could happen in the Autumn/Winter so watch this space.
AGM. This has been booked for Sunday the 4th December at Hardwicke village hall starting at 11.00am. We are hoping to book a good pub nearby for a hot meal/Xmas lunch afterwards for those that can stop after the meeting.
Your committee have also asked your secretary to arrange another trip to Lower Watchbury Farm in January/February 2017 to see endangered species of wild birds while they feed on the "Wild Bird Seed" mix. We are hoping this will be conducted by Matt Willmott of Natural England who specialises in wild birds and has the unique ability to recognise them by their call even he can't see them. If we can arrange that you will need to bring your binoculars.
Steve Poole suggested at the last open business meeting in June to have another Vet lecture so your committee will be exploring that for the late Spring if there is time.
Mike Ford suggested at the same meeting that we try and have the next herd visit out of our area and perhaps make a week end of it. With that in mind your committee has decided to try first Abergavenny or failing that Carlisle or Penrith to take place at the mid/end of July 2017
Mike Bancroft has agreed to try and arrange for the group to make a visit to the Applebie's organic dairy farm in Bretforton proceeding to their ice cream factory afterwards. This could happen on the first or second weekend in May.
Mike Bancroft has also kindly agreed to arrange next year's herd competition which the committee have decided should be judged by a non Dexter judge for a change. This will be held over three days with committee members volunteering to drive the judge to the various herds competing. Please think about entering your own herd large or small next year when applications go out.
Other work being organised by your committee in the next few months are;
1. Improvements to the group exhibition stand.
2. Research possibility of sponsoring two classes at the next Three Counties Show.
a) Best home bred Dexter
b) Best young handler
3. Investigate production of new diaries for members
4. Design a new club leaflet to include in a new members pack as well as send out to existing members.
Thanks for your time in reading this and will up date you on events in the next newsletter in the New year. I would be grateful for your ideas in improving this newsletter as this is as you know my first shot at it.

MEMBERS HERD PROFILES
WATCHBURY HERD owned by Val & Malcolm Eykyn
(winners of the MDG large herd competition 2015)
We have a "closed" herd of 40 Dexters & breed for beef, whilst retaining couple of heifers each year as replacements. Cattle are grazed over 50 acres of permanent pasture & wild flower meadows. We grow the wild flowers as part of the Higher Level Stewardship scheme to encourage populations of endangered species of wild birds, bees, butterflies and other invertebrates.
We hire a bull in each summer, & calve in the spring/early summer & calves are weaned at 9-10 months of age. We do not feed any supplementary fodder, just
home-produced haylage & a high magnesium salt lick.
Beef animals are slaughtered at 30 months & after hanging for 3 weeks, butchered, packed, labelled & frozen. We sell to private customers in boxes ranging from a 1/16th to a 1/4 of a beast. We market to repeat customers, through recommendations & networking.
Contact Ms V Eykyn for availability
tel.no: 01926 624772 or email: [email protected]

BORAM HERD owned by Robert & Alison Kirk
The Boram Herd of Pedigree Dexter Cattle was established in 1990.
In 2001 we decided to concentrate on Dexter beef production & have built the herd number up to 52 spring & autumn calving cows, all home bred. We run two separate herds - black & red, & retain heifers for replacements in our own herd with the remainder being sold for beef.
Our beef is sold locally to pub/restaurants; coffee shop; butchers (one local & the other in North London); North Cotswolds Farmers' Markets & private customers.
The Boram Herd of Pedigree Dexter Cattle was established in 1990.
In 2001 we decided to concentrate on Dexter beef production & have built the herd number up to 52 spring & autumn calving cows, all home bred. We run two separate herds - black & red, & retain heifers for replacements in our own herd with the remainder being sold for beef.
Our beef is sold locally to pub/restaurants; coffee shop; butchers (one local & the other in North London); North Cotswolds Farmers' Markets & private customers.
DEXTER BEEF PRODUCERS
WATCHBURY HERD contact :Ms V Eykyn for availability of beef Tel.no: 01926 624772 email: [email protected]
SPRINGTREE DEXTERS - contact Penny Wadey for availability of organic Dexter beef
Tel no: 07522957354 email: [email protected] www.springtreedexters.co.uk