Sorry, I realized that no one has answered your questions, here's my attempt - but beware of experts like me giving advice, you never know who's cowboy hat is just for show :cboy:
Smallfryranch":s7twzcao said:
Hello everyone, this is my first post. I am looking into beginning a ranch for miniature cattle. I have decided on the Dexter breed. I have plenty of land, but not enough for full-size cattle. I have several questions. Do you have to grain feed them, or can they just eat grass?
They can eat grass alone, but you need to provide them with "cattle" minerals, and you will need to provide them with hay in the winter when the pastures go dormant. If you have dairy cattle, then they will require more forage/feed while they are lactating - you may need to feed in this scenario if you only have 2 acres. The amount you give in "feed" will greatly reduce your chances of making a profit, unless you have some specialized market.
Smallfryranch":s7twzcao said:
What kind of shelter would they need?
If you have trees on your place, they can do with just that (keeps them cool in the summer), although if you have particularly harsh winters a three sided "shed" will help them a lot.
Smallfryranch":s7twzcao said:
What veterinary care is needed?
Cattle should be "worked" regularly - most people in my parts work twice per year. They get combo vaccines and worming. You can find plenty of info on this from your local university, and it will be more specific to your area.
Smallfryranch":s7twzcao said:
This breed is supposed to be around 40" high and between 750 lbs and 1000 lbs as adults. Would they need a livestock guardian dog, like a Great Pyrenees?
No, they won't "need" a guardian dog, but you may enjoy the company of a great pyrenees
Smallfryranch":s7twzcao said:
What equipment would I need? Any information at all would be very helpful.
Don't fall into the trap of buying a bunch of nice new equipment - you can do without it. About the only thing that you might need would be a head gate of some sort, so that you can restrain the cattle to work them. Everything else can be manually done.