Belle Fourche Farm

by Gabriella Nanci When I started out with cattle, I was taught that the proper way to castrate was to use an emasculator and a scalpel. But again, I have found that there is a simpler way to castrate calves and adult bulls that is more humane and effective. Band Castration for Young Calves: Band [...]

by Gabriella Nanci Markers: The genetic markers used for parentage testing are based on a designated set of microsatellites found in the cattle’s DNA. Microsattelites are the same thing as VNTR’s (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats). They are repeated segments of DNA that are apparently “junk,” i.e. do not actually code for a trait. At [...]

by Gabriella Nanci The most common testicular deformities are testicular hypoplasia and cyptorchidism. These conditions can be in one or both testicles. Testicular hypoplasia is a condition where the bull has an underdeveloped testicle. Cryptorchidism is an undescended testicle that has not come down into the scrotal sack. Both conditions are typically inherited and in [...]

With all the press the bulldog trait has received, it is common for any stillborn Dexter fetus to be called a bulldog by the breeder; regardless of cause, or presence/absence of deformity. Generally, these events are blessedly rare, so it is difficult for a breeder to compare his loss with other breeders. The fetus is [...]