MOOR Farm, overlooking unspoilt countryside in south Herefordshire, is home to one of the best-known herds of Dexter cattle in Britain.

The smallest British breed numbers about 80 on the Sollershope farm of Sue and Tony Limb and among the herd are those that have in the past scooped some of the top show accolades for the hardy animals.

With the popularity of Dexters in Herefordshire and adjoining counties, the Royal Welsh Show held at Builth Wells has decided to introduce classes for the cattle this year and Sue and other local members of the society in the region have been offering advice as to the make up of the classes which will be judged by a leading Dexter judge, Mrs J A Hunt of Newbury.

With so few livestock expected at farm shows this year because of the foot-and-mouth restrictions, the tiny Dexters are likely to be a big hit with the public at the Royal Welsh at Builth Wells on Monday, July 22. And Sue, who has a passion for Dexters, believes the classes will be well supported - provided they are suitably categorised.

The tiny Dexter, mostly black in colour, will be going to the big event with a long record in the show ring for the animal was winning prizes in London dairy show classes 100 years ago and, according to records, in the beef classes at Royal Smithfield in 1907.

The Dexter, typically standing between 38 and 42 inches high, originated in south-west Ireland and is descended from old wild Irish mountain cattle.

there has not been

a case of BSE

Sue, a former president of the national Dexter Society which has more than 1,000 members, said the breed had remained extremely popular despite the scourges of BSE and foot-and-mouth.

There had not been a case of BSE among the hardy animals and comparatively few had been taken out because of foot-and-mouth. Because of their increasing numbers, they were not now a rare breed.

Sue has been keeping Dexters for 22 years. Although Moor Farm itself is comparatively small, the Limbs rent nearby ground to boost the farm's acreage.

For Sue, the love of Dexters all started when she lived in Oxfordshire. She enjoyed show-ring success at Newbury with a single cow that her dairy-farmer father had purchased and which continued to calve until she was 19.

She was so smitten with the win that she decided to swap her enthusiastic interest in horses for Dexters (and Jersey cattle for a while) and she has never looked back.

"We won the dry cow class at Newbury Show that time and the cow went on to qualify for the Dexter-of-the-Year class. And the cow kept on winning at shows," said Sue, who has continued in her winning ways ever since.

Her cattle have won the national Dexter Society's Bertadano award for most points at shows during a year; the best cow of the year trophy, and for several years she won the herd competition of the Midlands Dexter Club. At leading local shows there has also been many successes.

"The herd trophy is probably the

most satisfying to win because it means you have consistency within the herd with the animals having good bodies and good udders."

"It's hard work and can be expensive showing but it is very rewarding when you do well and, of course, it keeps the Sollershope name to the fore."

The smallness of the Dexter is emphasised by the shortness of the cannon bone, between the animal's knee and fetlock. Despite their size, however, the Dexter is a hardy breed and they perform well under good management and are adaptable to different grazing conditions and climates.

noted for being

manageable calvers

Sue said they were noted for being manageable and easy calvers. They were comparatively economical to keep, feeding on hay silage in the winter and finishing off grass. The meat was much sought after and provided a niche market for many breeders.

Not many people realise there are two types. In the Midlands, the animal is generally short-legged but, mainly in the north of Britain, many are long-legged.

Sue, keenly sought-after as a judge, said that although many judges usually favoured the short-legged animals, she had awarded top places to long-legged ones if their conformation and other features were good and worthy of winning.

"Actually, the long-legged animals are to be recommended to the novice to start with, especially with tall calves, because they are usually able to suck so much more easily."