Cow jersey breed: a review, a characteristic

In most cases, Russian farmers contain dairy cows of productivity. Over the centuries, just a huge number of breeds of cattle of this group were bred. One of the oldest and most productive is Jersey. This rather unusual breed has recently become very popular, including in Russia.

The history of Jersey cattle

This breed was bred in England in the 16th century by selecting local British livestock for butterfat. The pedigree book of Jersey cattle was opened in 1866. At the same time, the breed became widely known as one of the most productive. In the 19th century, these cows began to be exported to the United States, and a little later to Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Currently, jersey cattle are bred in many countries of the world and are used, among other things, to improve the fat-milk qualities of other breeds.

At the end of 19 the Jersey cow was brought to Russia. However, unfortunately, then these animals in our country did not get accustomed. The second time such cattle was brought to the USSR in 1947.

The breeding of jersey cows in Russia has since become more or less massive. It is used mainly to improve black-and-white cattle in the Moscow, Ryazan, Leningrad and Novgorod regions. The resulting hybrids have a somewhat smaller mass and milk yield, but at the same time an increased fat content of the milk. This quality has been preserved to some extent in the variegated Siberian Burenok.

general description

The main distinguishing feature of Jersey cows is a small increase. The height at the withers of these animals is only 120-125 cm. In addition, the characteristic features of the exterior of the Jersey cow are:

• Strongly developed eye sockets;

• Wide forehead;

• Sharp and high withers;

• Skewed ribs;

• A gentle constitution;

• Long waist;

• Wide back.

The color of the cow of this breed is usually light or darkish sand. Sometimes there are individuals with white markings on the legs and in the lower part of the trunk. Chest in animals is usually darker than other parts of the body. The bulls along the back sometimes have a black streak. The udder of Jersey cows is voluminous, cup-like.

Productivity

With regard to the production of meat, the productivity of Jersey cattle is not too high. The weight of a cow of this breed is only 350-400 kg, a bull-calf - 600 kg. In addition, these animals are distinguished by flat ribs and rather narrow breasts. That is, the yield of meat during their slaughter is extremely low.

For milk, the average productivity of Jersey cows is 4,000 liters per year. Of course, this is not too much. In some domestic breeds this indicator can reach up to 10 000 and more. However, for the fat content of milk, jersey cattle considerably exceeds most other varieties of cattle. Ideally, this figure is 6%. At the same protein in milk contains 3.7-3.9%. The fat index may fluctuate depending on the breeding location of cows and the quality of the feed. In Russia, the productivity of the dzheser cows in this regard is at an average level.

Benefits of Content

Thus, the contents of Jersey cattle can become quite a profitable occupation. How many cows give milk, we found out. In general, a little, but it is very fat. Among other things, the content of this cattle offers the following advantages:

• Economical. Jersey cows and bulls consume 20% less food than, for example, the same popular Holstein.

• Absence of troubles associated with diseases. These cows rarely become infected with any infections. Also, because of their low weight, they have less difficulty than other breeds, problems with hooves.

Character and habits

One of the advantages of these cows is the complete lack of aggression towards humans and other livestock. The temperament in the cattle of this breed is very quiet, quite appeasable and calm. Some individuals may even be a little shy. To the new owners, a bull or cow of jersey breed is getting used to it quite difficult. When transferred to another farm, they may even lose some productivity in the first time. However, after a couple of months, heifers and bulls fully adapt, get used to the new conditions and are very attached to the owners.

Features of breeding

Among the advantages of cattle of this breed, among other things, many farmers consider the simplicity of reproduction. Stand jersey cows in our country because of the rarity is quite expensive. The price of a bull, for example, can reach up to 70 thousand rubles. Dairy cows, of course, are even more expensive. However, as these animals multiply rapidly, many farmers already have entire herds of such cattle on their farms. Jessian cows not only easily inseminate, but usually do not experience any problems during childbirth. This is due primarily to the fact that the calves of this breed are very small. The weight of newborn babies is only about 20-22 kg.

The advantage of jersey cattle is also considered early maturity. For the first time such a cow can go to the age of the year. The newborn is put under the mother's face to lick it. If the cow does not do this, the baby should just be wiped with straw. In the first half hour after delivery, the calf must necessarily drink milk from the mother. If for some reason he can not do it himself, you should feed him from the bottle.

A week of calf is only drunk with milk. From the age of seven days, hay, lightly sprinkled with chalk, is gradually added to the diet. As soon as the calf turns a month, you can start to give him vegetables: trout, potatoes, beets. After some time, mixed feed is introduced into the diet, and milk is gradually diluted with water until complete replacement. At the age of two months, the calf is completely transferred to an adult diet.

What you need to know about

The answer to the question of how much the cow gives milk depends largely on how well the owners of the farm behave after the calving. Animal milking during this period should be given maximum attention. If the approach is wrong, a cow that has been raised can greatly reduce productivity. Milking Jayserok after birth according to the following pattern:

• In the first four days - 5 times a day;

• The next 8 days - 4 times;

• Further - 3 times.

Gradually, the amount of milking is reduced to 2 per day.

Features of feeding

The productivity of Jersey cows, in contrast to most other breeds, depends very much on the quality of feeding. So, the average figure of 4000 l / g on a very protein-rich diet milk cows can increase already up to 11 000 l / g. The jayserok is fed high-quality young hay, silage, potatoes, beets, trout. Mixed fodders are given at the rate of approximately 300 g per liter of milk. Sen jersey cow requires about 12-16 kg per day. In the barn must lay out the lump salt. This will make it possible to replenish the lack of microelements in the animal body.

Immediately after calving, the cow of Jersey breed should receive only mixed fodder, in which a little nitrate is added. The animal is transferred to a normal diet after three weeks. Water should be given twice a day. This will promote good lactation. Reduce the amount of fluid only if the udder of the animal looks swollen.

Some disadvantages of the breed

In addition to the advantages, of course, there are some disadvantages in these animals. To such farmers include:

• Small weight of cow;

• The need to equip a rather warm barn, absolutely without drafts;

• The appearance from time to time of calves with signs of degeneration.

Calves with the "wrong" exterior of the Jersey cows rarely give birth. But sometimes it all the same happens. Such offspring usually have misaligned hind legs. Some shortcomings of this livestock are also attributed to the impossibility of obtaining a large amount of meat. Of course, minuscule is considered shyness.

Jersei breed of cows: reviews of farmers

Opinion on this livestock from Russian farmers has developed a positive. Many users of specialized forums on the Internet declare their desire to have jersey animals in their own farm or in the backyard.

In this case, many cattle farmers are asking about where you can buy a Jersey cow. To buy such animals in Russia because of their rarity is difficult. But sometimes they are imported to Russia. For example, in the Moscow region. At the same time they buy up heifers and bull-calves just in time. Sell these animals and private traders. Some farmers, including in the outback, as already mentioned, have entire herds of these animals.

Conclusion

The cow of jersey breed has recently gained popularity among Russian farmers for good reason. Of course, there are some disadvantages of these cows. However, they have a lot of advantages. This is the high fat content of milk, and good productivity, and unpretentiousness.

With proper care and - most importantly - feeding these cows can be very productive, including in Russia. In particular, a good Jersey breed of cows, the pros and cons of which were discussed in this article, is suitable for those farms that, in addition to milk proper, specialize in the production of butter and cheese.