Jersey Cow/Dairy Shorthorn

[Katarina]

Having relief milked Holsteins I've now decided I need a house cow so going for Jersey. We currently farm pedigree beef so a bit unsure as to what to feed and when. Also when it comes to putting her in calf what do you think of crossing her with something like a dairy shorthorn, to get the hybrid vigour, using sexed semen? Any help and advice much appreciated and please excuse my lack of knowledge on the subject.....thought I'd ask the experts .

 

[upnortheast]

You could ring Graham Bell - number on here
http://www.shorthorn.co.uk/dairyshorthorn/index.php/society/society-info/council-staff-members

 

[I thats it]

Some jerseys can be idiots to milk, I find shorthorns generally quieter if your hand milking

 

[Katarina]

You could ring Graham Bell - number on here
http://www.shorthorn.co.uk/dairyshorthorn/index.php/society/society-info/council-staff-members

Will do that, thank you

 

[Katarina]

Some jerseys can be idiots to milk, I find shorthorns generally quieter if your hand milking

Hmmm I would be using one of the small portable milking machines so would equate to the same problem. Was thinking the shorthorn would have a good forage conversion rate being a native. plus I like to support the native breeds and our beef shorthorns do well on far less than the Lims. Have gone for the Jerseys because of the high fat content and want to do butter and cream so wasn't sure how the shorthorns would compare. Would be interested to know what the cross might produce.

 

[I thats it]

Hmmm I would be using one of the small portable milking machines so would equate to the same problem. Was thinking the shorthorn would have a good forage conversion rate being a native. plus I like to support the native breeds and our beef shorthorns do well on far less than the Lims. Have gone for the Jerseys because of the high fat content and want to do butter and cream so wasn't sure how the shorthorns would compare. Would be interested to know what the cross might produce.

You'll not beat the Jersey for butterfat and protein, and as with all breeds you'll find some lovely quiet ones and some awkward ones! you've to get one that you like as that makes it all more enjoyable

 

[I thats it]

This is my shorthorn Lady Laura and Jersey (no name) lady Laura would be a dream for your job

 

[Greenbeast]

You'll not beat the Jersey for butterfat and protein, and as with all breeds you'll find some lovely quiet ones and some awkward ones! you've to get one that you like as that makes it all more enjoyable

I got my Jersey as a 3 week old calf, bottle raised and halter trained her. She's lovely to milk (apart from the current yield), she hardly kicks and doesn't mind the pump noise

Obviously that does give you a bit of a wait for milk!

 

[Sandpit Farm]

You'd manage to get a Spring Calver that has fallen out of the window relatively cheaply and if it is from an established herd, she should be a good grazer and fertile (just not as fertile as the rest of the herd).