Dexter Cattle Legacy

Yes. Every animal at Mountain Heritage Farm is registered with the American Dexter Cattle Association (ADCA). Each profile on our site includes the official ADCA pedigree link for transparency.

Our herd is free of the genetic conditions PHA and Chondrodysplasia. We have also tested free of BLV (Bovine Leukemia Virus), BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea), Johne’s Disease, Neospora, and Anaplasmosis. In addition, cattle in Tennessee are recognized by the USDA as free of Tuberculosis and Brucellosis.

Health testing is especially important for families who plan to milk their cows. Some bovine diseases have been studied for possible correlations to human conditions, which is why we place a strong emphasis on keeping our herd tested and clean.

We also follow a simplified vaccination and deworming schedule to ensure long-term herd health.

A2/A2 refers to a milk protein variant that some people find easier to digest. You’ll see this listed in the specs for several of our cows. While A2 status is often emphasized in large commercial dairy breeds that have been heavily selected over time, Dexter milk has remained more natural and less altered by selective breeding. In our experience, Dexter milk is typically well tolerated and highly digestible regardless of A2 status.

Yes. Dexters are a true dual-purpose breed, valued for both milk and beef. Many of our cows are trained to milk, making them ideal for homesteads and small farms.

Dexters are also an excellent choice for families who are new to cattle. They are typically friendly, docile, and easy to train, with many cows adapting quickly to hand- or machine-milking. Because of their smaller size, they are also easy on the land and thrive on small acreage where larger breeds might struggle.

Dexters are the smallest naturally statured cattle breed, typically ranging from 38–44 inches in height. Mature cows usually weigh 700–900 lbs, and bulls 1,000–1,200 lbs, making them well-suited for smaller farms and acreage.

While there are other breeds that are smaller, most of those have been selectively bred down as “miniatures.” In contrast, Dexters have always been naturally small, making them a practical and sustainable choice for homesteads—without the health and management challenges that can sometimes come with artificially miniaturized animals.

Our focus is on temperament, balanced conformation, and family milk cow suitability. We only brought in respected bloodlines (Belle Fourche and MRALD) while building our own prefix recognition under “Mtn Heritage.”