Meet Carlos the Fourth. He is a 6 month old Dexter Bull. And he arrived yesterday at the farm.
He will never be a big bull but he sure will be a sturdy one. He is long legged, bright, well trained and very friendly (which may or may not be a good thing in a bull). He is in a side pen in the West Barn and in a few days he will go out to meet Aunty Del and Queenies Bobby through a gate and if all goes well he can go out with them by the end of the week.
His mother is a very good milk cow giving 3 gallons of milk a day which is pretty good for a Dexter, he is tested as A2A2 so hopefully if he produces daughters they will have A2 milk. A2 milk is widely discussed as being easier to digest and has other health benefits that I am still researching. Many people with an intolerance to milk find it easier to drink A2 milk.
All goats milk is A2.
New Zealand has been a leader in the field of A2 milk research and there has been a lot of work done at home to increase the numbers of A2 carriers in the big herds. But it is a complicated discussion at best. Most big herds are A1. All the modern Holsteins are A1. 
Carlos IV has some growing to do before he starts work but I like the idea of breeding Dexters and if he can have a go at covering the other cows I would be grateful. The Dexter heifer Alex, who is bred already, arrives on Wednesday.
Manu the Hereford boar is deeply underwhelmed by his new flat mate. As long as he does not touch Manu’s vegetables all will be well in that department also. 
This boar is NOT being overfed – he is a big fella though still very good with me.
When I feed him I go into his pen and pick up bowls and scratch him around a bit while he is eating, I have done this every day since he arrived so he knows who I am and that I am the boss and bringer of food. No-one else is allowed in the pen with him.
But with boars and bulls one goes on full alert if there is an animal in heat around. This is why the boys are over in their own barn so I can maintain some semblance of control. And choose when I put animals together. It is easier on ones fences that way! 
These will both be hefty animals – I want no surprises. But I do want babies. He will probably come over and run with the girls for a few months in the summer.
I wish I could leave Aunty Del over with Lady Astor at the home farm but Aunty will not leave Lady’ s udder alone. And Lady has a very nice udder that we do not want damaged. This is why Aunty is in the boys barn for a while. She might be bred you know – I have seen no untoward behaviour.
It is possible that I will get my wish and milk three cows next summer. Maybe.
I hope you have a lovely day!
Love your friend
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
42 responses to “In a Bulls Eye”
Welcome to the Farmy ~ Carlos!! You’ve come to the best home in the world!!! you will have a great time roaming around with Celi’s farm Buddies!! He’s a nice looking guy!! Anxious to see him all grown up to a “man”!! Looking forward to seeing Alex ~ the Farm is growing! Interesting to read about your research on the milk ~ growing up on the dairy farm I didn’t know that info ~ but I’m sure Dad did. We must’ve had some pretty good milk because Mother’s peach and apricot cream pies were utterly delicious! plus apple pie! and all the fresh whipped cream on desserts!! And all of our Kitties were always waiting at the barn morning and evening for their fresh warm milk!! Nothing like the good ole days growing up on the farm!! Have a good one!!
Udderly delicious. Heheh. Love, Gayle
Carlos looks like a lovely healthy young bull. I’m sure the babies will be amazing as well. Thanks for the education about the milk. I never knew. Have a lovely day.
Another conversation piece from stolen farmy fotos. https://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/conversation-piece-2-2/
Carlos is so handsome .. Welcome to Celi’s place 😃
Awww, baby….welcome.
A natural balance to have some boys and girls… and the natural way of things to have their progeny underfoot. I enjoy the seasons and cycles… the projects and plans. It’s a farm, business and good life all rolled into one.
Jeepers! I am always learning from you Celi. I did not know about A1 and A2 milk. All I know is the recommendation for replacement milk for orphaned Daisy deer was Goat’s milk, which I understand is a universal milk replacer for many mammals. What a handsome fellow Carlos IV is. I think his eyes look kind. I am very respectful of the bulls over in the neighbor’s pecan orchard. I take the fence line when walking to the river. Those bulls don’t look any too friendly if you ask me!
How fantastic to be planning for A2 milk, and to have the mating bureau almost up and running. I can just see you there, playing god(fess), deciding who can date whom. Fun and frolics ahead, without a doubt.
What a handsome fellow.
Both our children were adopted…we were present at daughter’s birth and got son at one day old. I was counseled by a wise friend to feed them goat milk 1/3 with water 2/3, closest thing to mother’s milk. They thrived. Lots of love, Gayle
Lovely! c
Oh Celi, this feels like another stage. Another giant step forward. I appreciated learning about A2 milk. When we were very young, mom brought goats into our lives (which we moaned over having to milk!) because she, the school marm, and the public health nurse were determined to help rural mothers with colic-y babies. Goats milk settled tummies and helped mothers get some rest.
Goats milk is truly the best – pity they are So noisy!! c
A2 milk is hugely popular in Australia: about half of the supermarket milk fridge seems to boast the nomenclature – now I don’t usually go for what I consider ‘fads’ but bought a couple of litres last week [longest use-by-date . . . well, I don’t have even one cow to milk 🙂 !] and it ‘kept’ fresh awfully well and actually had a lovely taste . . .
I’ve read the wiki article on A2 milk – it’s quite interesting. –
Eha, I did not forget you! I haven’t got the time yet … So sorry. But: Soon! 🙂
Hi Celi, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I want a calendar and a book. I hope it’s not too late. Take care!! (:
Merridee
Just fine Irmi! Now I know you did get my little ‘missive’ please do not go out of your way . . . . truly!!
What a beautiful little guy your bull is. He looks insanely young and a bit sweet, but of course, it’s hard to get scale from the photos.
He is only 5 months old – but the Dexters are a very small breed.. the poor mans cow!