Tiny Dexter calf born on Clare TD's farm
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe received a lucky surprise on St. Patrick's Day, when a miniature black bull Dexter calf was born on his farm.
The suckler farmer told Agriland that the calf is "no higher than my knee".
"He’s smaller than our little black Labrador at home. It was a maiden heifer, it was her first calf but we didn’t know, she wasn’t showing any signs of calving.
"When I went into the shed I spotted a little black thing running around, I thought it was the Labrador going in amongst the cattle, but it was a little calf."
"He’s a cute little thing. We mostly have Herefords and Shorthorns. A few months ago I got four Dexters. I’d heard of Dexters all my life but I’ve never laid eyes on them, this was a new departure for me," Crowe added.
Deputy Crowe said his children are absolutely fascinated by the tiny calf.
"I was expecting a small calf but what was born was miniature, I’d never seen anything as small as it.
"Every time I’m in the shed forking out silage, I’ve to go over and look at this guy because I can’t get over how small he is.
"My children are in and out to him the whole time to see him. They have come up with a few strange names for him, but we haven’t decided yet. He will be named, there’s usually a few calves each year named," he added.
Crowe said that having Dexter cows on the farm is "a real novelty".
"I’m enjoying it, there’s decent grant money coming in from it, you’ve to buy into the principles of organics I suppose. One of the difficulties I had last year was I lost a number of animals.
"I needed to replace stock and I decided I would try Dexter for a change. It’s easier for organic farmers to buy them because you get a derogation if you buy Dexter stock," he added.
The Fianna Fáil TD said it is difficult balancing life as a farmer and a TD in the Dáil.
"I work beyond the farm, I can’t be watching calving morning, noon, and night and the Dexters seem to calve without any difficulty, or so I’ve heard.
"Thankfully, I get great help from my family, my father in particular.
"The farming is often a welcome distraction from the rumble-tumble of politics, I do enjoy the farming very much, no better place to clear the head," Crowe added.
