Does anyone have any experience with Dexter cattle? They look promising for a small pasture-based system, but that's just from reading on the internet ...

Judith

I would suggest you look at miniature Hereford and miniature Lowline Angus. They have been bred without all the baggage. Dexters have problem with dwarfism gene and they don't know what they want - long legs or short legs. Mini Herefords and mini Lowline Angus were bred to be beef doing well on grass. If you want dairy then get small or mini dairy breeds.
Robert D Bard