| Belfair Cattle Breeder Directory |
the Irish Jersey & Belfair Cattle Registry
The Belfair is a 50:50 composite, half Jersey and half Irish Dexter.
The Irish Jersey is any other composite of Dexter and Jersey, other than the 50:50 ratio.
The White Belfair or the White Irish Jersey are the same breed composites described above, but with the white park color pattern that comes from a White Dexter parent or ancestor.
BREED HERD BOOKS: Practically speaking, there can be no Belfair Registry without the Irish Jersey herd book. Irish Jerseys crossed together, such as a 3/4 Dexter X 1/4 Jersey bull used on a 3/4 Jersey X 1/4 Dexter cow produces a Belfair calf. Therefore Irish Jerseys are kept in the same herd book as Belfair cattle, and the same herd or family of cattle can be registered as one or the other composite. The rules and divisions defined below will apply to either registry.
an Irish Jersey bull in his work clothes; bred by Romain LaLone, Michigan
Jerdex
HISTORY: The name Belfair was originally coined by Tracy Teed of Washington decades ago. Another historical breeder is Romain LaLone of Michigan, who has been breeding, selecting and improving Belfairs and Irish Jerseys for over 30 years. For more breeders, visit the Belfair breeder directory (see links at bottom of page).
PURPOSE: The Belfair is a dual purpose composite homestead cow. It does not matter which parent is the Dexter or the Jersey. Belfair and Irish Jersey cattle may range in size; but most are Frame Score 00 to 2 (miniature to midsize), which is preferred for efficiency, hardiness and ease of milking. Belfairs make wonderful homestead cattle, providing rich creamy milk. Some Belfair cows have been known to produce up to 6 gallons of milk / day. The breed goal is to provide enough milk for a family while also raising a calf every year. Belfairs are designed to blend the strongest traits from each of the parent breeds. Standard Jersey bulls are known for poor temperament. Belfairs are often bred from cross Irish Dexters with American Miniature Jerseys, which have been selected for decades for gentle temperament. Belfairs eat less than standard size dairy cattle, and more Belfairs can be raised per acre of grass, than a larger, commerical dairy breed. Belfairs are bred to better resist mastitis, handle hot and cold weather, all while holding their weight during lactation, and thriving on a grass fed diet.
photo credit: Dexter X Jersey; Amlwch-Anglesey on preloved.co.uk
Distinctions between Division I and Division II are not indicators or representative of differences in quality or value; they simply document differences in documentation / verification levels, or differences between genotype and phenotype in a breeding program.
Frame Score: All sizes are acceptable. Frame score is requested in application.
Purity: It is a reality that most Dexter cattle and most Jersey cattle (miniature or standard) are impure unless they have a verified heritage pedigree. Purebred Jerseys and Dexters are the foundation for the developing composites, Belfairs and Irish Jerseys. Absolute proof that the Jersey and Dexter genetics in this composite are heritage or 100% pure is not realistic or possible. Also... the White Dexter is literally a purebred Dexter (they are 93.75% or more pure) that carries the white park color pattern marking.
Color: Division I and Division II Belfairs and Irish Jerseys preferably should display coat type, colors, patterns & markings expected from a pure Dexter crossed with a pure Jersey. A Belfair's base coat color may be black, wild red or true recessive red. If it inherits both a wild red and a brindle Agouti gene, it may be brindle. It may inherit paint (spotted) genetics from the Jersey. F2 Belfairs may express the Dexter dun dilute gene. Fawn highlights and a light colored ring around the nose inherited from the Jersey is typical in F1 cross Belfairs or Irish Jerseys, but may disappear in F2 and later generations.
Markings / Patterns: In the cattle industry, the term "White Park" can refer to either a color pattern or a breed. The white park color pattern is found in many breeds, the oldest of which may be the Droimeann or other similar ancient breed. I, Today's "White Park" breed in North America is a standard sized upgraded beef cattle breed registered either with the British White Cattle Association of America (BW) or the American British White Park Association (WP). Over the decades, some people have added Dexter (DR) genetics to miniaturize either White Parks or White Galloways (GA) and call them miniature White Parks. Today's White Dexter (WD) is a white park patterned breed formed from adding small white park pattern cattle to Dexter cattle. The White Dexter has been an upgraded Dexter long enough that it qualifies as a purebred Dexter (87.5%—99%) in breed composition. The White Dexter can be used to produce an F1 Belfair if it is 93.75% or more pure Dexter. If it exhibits the white park pattern, it qualifies for the White Belfair or the White Irish Jersey herdbook.
Polled & Horned: Original (Heritage) Dexters and Jerseys are horned breeds. Modern Dexters & Jerseys may be horned or polled, so, Belfairs may be horned or polled.
Breed Composition Exclusions: Homestead dairy cattle that are composites of Dexter and Jersey, and that also express considerable additional breed influence other than Dexter and Jersey, are elibible to be registered in the Homestead Cattle Association general Open Herd Book. If they have a pedigree that documents they are over 87.5% pure of any one breed, they should qualify as a purebred in that herd book registry. Contact the office with any questions.
Why Register: Registration is a small investment that can increase Belfair cattle's value. Registration certificates provide official breed identification. It provides added proof of ownership. It provides DNA documentation of tests, that may identify dairy traits & milk proteins and beef traits. It documents the animal's ancestry as well as this composite breed's development from the beginning. The Irish Jersey and Belfair Cattle Registry operate under the Homestead Cattle Association and the HCA Miniature Cattle Registry, circa 2014. Visit the Homestead Cattle Association here.
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© est. 2013 Homestead & Miniature Cattle Resource Directory  part of Homestead Cattle Association  Homestead Cattle Registry HCA Miniature Cattle Registry Irish Jersey & Belfair Cattle Registry US Normande Organization D.G. Vickery, executive director H.E. Ahrens, technical director homestead.cattle.assn@gmail.com 406-591-6568 call or text |
last updated September 2025
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