"The Dexter"

"The popularity of the breed in the past has been based largely upon its small size and ornamental appearance, but during late years English breeders have demonstrated that Dexter cows are also useful in production. The Dexter Cattle Society of England maintains a Register of Merit in which some excellent records of milk yield are reported. The highest is that of the cow Barbara 2822 E. H. B. that in 1930 completed a yearly record of 15,671 pounds of milk at 15 years of age. In 1927 she produced 12,726 pounds in yearly test, and during four years her average milk production was over 10,000 pounds. The society reports a considerable number of records ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 pounds of milk for cows, and from 4,500 to 6,100 pounds for heifers with first calf. Elmendorf Farm in Kentucky obtained four records above 5,000 pounds of milk produced in from 288 to 315 days. Howard Gould of New York reported 13 records made by Dexter cows, ranging from 4,884 to 9,046 pounds milk. The milk tests about 4.5 percent butterfat."

From Breeds of Livestock in America by Henry W. Vaughan, 1947.