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There is no more appealing dairy animal than the well-balanced
Jersey cow, and although usually somewhat more nervous in disposition
than the other dairy cows, she is usually docile and rather easy
to manage. Jersey bulls, while small as compared to the other
dairy breeds, are extremely masculine. They are quite muscular
about their crests and shoulders and are considerably less refined
throughout than are the females.
They usually range in weight from 1200 to 1800 pounds, but as
in the females, medium weights are usually preferred. Jersey bulls
are known for having the least docile temperament of the common
breeds of cattle. It is folly to trust any dairy bull and particularly
Jerseys past eighteen months of age.
Modern Jerseys may be of a wide range in color. There is little
preference today between the solid and broken colors although
most breeders slightly prefer the cattle with an unbroken color
pattern. Most prefer the dark tongue and switch, but this is more
a matter of an identification point than a point of discrimination.
The color in Jerseys may vary from a very light gray or mouse
color to a very dark fawn or a shade that is almost black. Both
the bulls and females are commonly darker about the hips and about
the head and shoulders than on the body.
Breed History: The Jersey breed originated on the Island
of Jersey, a small British island in the English Channel off the
coast of France. The Jersey is one of the oldest dairy breeds,
having been reported by authorities as being purebred for nearly
six centuries. The breed is a result of selected matings of the
large, brindle cattle of Normandy and the small black cattle of
Brittany. It was known in England as early as 1771 and was regarded
very favorably because of its milk and butterfat production. At
that early date, the cattle of Jersey Island were commonly referred
to as Alderney cattle although the cattle of this island were
later referred to only as Jerseys. Jersey cattle were brought
to the United States in the 1850's.
Adaptable to a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions,
outstanding Jersey herds are found from Denmark to Australia and
New Zealand, from Canada to South America and from South Africa
to Japan. They are excellent grazers and perform well in intensive
grazing programs. They are more tolerant of heat than the larger
breeds.
Miscellaneous: The Jersey produces more pounds of milk
per pound of body weight than any other breed. Most Jerseys produce
far in excess of 13 times their bodyweight in milk each lactation.
Jersey milk is rich in butterfat and total milk solids.
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