History

History of the Liberty Herd

As a family with little farming experience, the idea of starting our own herd of cattle was daunting yet exciting.  The appeal of producing our own beef and general enthusiasm for working outside with animals was the driving force behind the decision.  My father and I visited the Kent County Show to investigate the different breeds suited to our small farm.  Dexters came up trumps!  Dexters are able to withstand all weather conditions, are of a managable size and have an ever growing reputation of making very good beef.

The Liberty herd was established in the summer of 2003. 

The herd started with the purchase of a cow (Becky) with calf at foot and two heifers (Rosie and Ruby) from the Ladybird herd (Mrs T. Marchant, near Canterbury).  A month later we hired our first bull (Bo from Neil Shorter, Ashford).  The following summer our first two calves were born; two boys named Tigger and Charlie.  Five years on and we are now up to a herd of seventeen.  We are now at the perfect herd size, with four or five calves born each year.  Steers are all slaughtered locally at just under thirty months old and our heifer calves are either fattened for beef or registered with the Dexter Cattle Society and sold for breeding.  We have also purchased a bull called Merlin who we hire out to other Dexter breeders.