The Rural Voice, 1998-09, Page 45gain. The association is also working
to improve markcting and promotion
of the breed.
Crapp hopes one way the
association will promote Dexters is
for first calving heifers. Dexter bulls
are now being sold to be bred to
larger breeds to ease the pressure of a
heifer's first calf. Because the bulls
are so much smaller it makes the
calving easier.
Another selling point, said Crapp,
is the breed's temperament. She
describes the animals as quiet and
nice to be around. But she adds, "the
bulls are still bulls. Just because they
are smaller doesn't mean you
shouldn't treat them like a bull."
Sylvia and Ed Stan bought a red
pure-bred Irish Dexter bull two years
ago from the largest Dexter herd in
Ireland. At three years old the bull
weighs close to 900 pounds. So far
they have had two red calves from
him. Although the Stans are not
ready to sell the bull they said it is
worth close to $3,500. A black
Dexter bull sells for between $1,000-
$2,500 depending on age and breed.
"We are selling to new breeders,"
said Sylvia, "people who have small
acreage and people who are just
starting up."
When the Stans first started
breeding Dexters most of the animals
they sold went out West. While they
still ship animals to Alberta and
British Columbia, the demand for the
animals in Ontario is growing.
The demand for Demers is
international. A couple of years ago,
both Winona Crapp and the Stans
sent embryos and semen to Australia.
An embryo sold for $1,000 and the
semen for $25-$50 per straw.
When talking to Dexter breeders
their enthusiasm is obvious. If this
enthusiasm continues to be translated
into promotion of the breed it can
only mean greater awareness and
interest in the breed. This is good
news for people who raise Dexters
and rely on themselves for marketing
and selling their own meat.
While the majority of Dexter
owners have fewer than 30 animals,
according to breeders there's plenty
of room to expand because the
demand is there. Dexter breeders see
a bright future. "When we retire we
are thinking of increasing our herd,"
said Sylvia Stan.O
BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK
887-6461
887-6811
SALES
SHOW & SALE
September 21, 1998
Sale 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays 9 a.m.
Thursdays 9 a.m.
Fridays 10 a.m.
1 p.m.
- Fed Cattle, Cows, Bulls
- Bob Calves, Veal, Lambs & Goats
- Stockers
- Pigs
Confidence • Trust • Service
WESTERN STOCKERS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE SALE
BUTLER
BERG
EQUIPMENT
F-IDIy
Continuous Flow
Dryer with
Auto Dry
Mawr Cut &n
Floors
Twos as stung
as o1+er 100(1
• GSI Feed Tanks
• Butler Bins
• Flex Auger Conveyors
C«,rnupal
Fan L Ilsstor
11 in or luwl
SUPERIOR QUALITY - SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP
AND ON-THE-JOB SERVICE
COUNTY LINE EQUIPMENT
Jim 343-3467
Neil 343-2483
RR 2 Palmerston
LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION LTD.
John Baak, President
RR 1 Hanover 519-369-5478
SEPTEMBER 1998 41