We’ve been so excited to share this with you—just a few months ago, we decided to add a new breed to Laree Ranch, and they feel like such a great fit. We found six beautiful little heifer calves and reserved them right away! They were just weaned and doing fantastic on grass and feed, so we got to pick them up Saturday. Bringing them home has been such a joy already, and I can’t wait to watch them grow.

And guess what? We just reserved the sweetest Dexter bull calf, and he’s going to be joining the herd in a couple of weeks! I think he’s going to fit in perfectly with our girls.

Dexters are honestly the sweetest. One of the biggest reasons we chose this breed is just how friendly and docile they are. They’re so calm and gentle, even the bulls! That kind of temperament makes them a dream to care for, and they really add to the peaceful atmosphere we try to keep around here.

Our girls have the best setup—we’re big on sustainability, so they roam spacious pastures full of fresh grass and have hay available all the time (we cut and bale it right here on the ranch). And during bonding time, we like to give them organic feed or treats. That way, they start associating us with something good, and it’s also a great excuse to sneak in some snuggles!

One of the things I love most about Dexters is how versatile they are. They’re smaller than standard beef cattle, which makes them perfect for smaller ranches or homesteads like ours. They’re also a multi-purpose breed, so they’re great for both meat and milk. Whether you’re starting your own homestead or just want to support one, these cows fit in so well.

And, I have to tell you, our herd is pretty special. We chose them from a selectively bred bloodline, so most of them are polled (which means they’re naturally without horns) and free of the dun color gene. Those details might seem small, but they make a big difference in ensuring the best for our little herd.