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We are planning to add Miniature Jersey cows to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. We will not have bulls on our property. We will use artificial insemination (AI), which is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female to breed. Artificial insemination is widely used for livestock breeding, especially for dairy cattle and pigs. Jersey Cows
The Jersey cow is quite small, ranging from only 800 to 1200 pounds. The main factor contributing to the popularity of the breed has been their greater economy of production, due to the ability to carry a larger number of effective milking cows per unit area due to lower body weight, hence lower maintenance requirements, and superior grazing ability. Calving ease and a relatively lower rate of dystocia, leading to their popularity in crossbreeding with other dairy and even beef breeds to reduce calving related injuries. High butterfat conditions, 6% butterfat and 4% protein, and the ability to thrive on locally produced food. Bulls are also small, ranging from 1200 to 1800 pounds, and are notoriously aggressive. Castrated males can be trained into fine oxen which, due to their small size and gentle nature make them popular with young teamsters. Jersey oxen are not as strong as larger breeds however and are generally out of favor among competitive teamsters. Due to the small size, docile and inquisitive character and attractive features of the Jersey cow, small herds were imported into England by aristocratic landowners as adornment for aesthetically landscaped parks. Jerseys are adaptable to hot climates and are bred in the hottest parts of Brazil. Jerseys come in all shades of brown, from light tan to almost black. They are frequently fawn in color. All purebred Jerseys have a lighter band around their muzzle, a dark switch (long hair on the end of the tail), and black hooves, although in recent years color regulations have been relaxed to allow a broadening of the gene pool. They are calm and docile animals, but tend to be a bit more nervous than other dairy cow breeds. They are also highly recommended cows for first time owners and marginal pasture. Unfortunately, they have a greater tendency towards postparturient hypocalcaemia or "milk fever" in dams and frail calves that require more attentive management in cold weather than other dairy breeds due to their smaller body mass and greater surface area. Miniature Cattle We have chosen Miniature Jersey cows to raise on Mountain Valley View Farm. Miniature Jerseys are not a new breed, nor a bred down replica of the Jersey cattle we see today. They are descendants of the original Jerseys imported from the Jersey islands and Britain many years ago with the same size and conformation of the original Jersey breed. Miniature cattle are breeds of cattle smaller than the norm. The miniature cattle's popularity is on the rise due to their compatibility with small acreage farms. Some miniature breeds, such as Dexter and certain strains of Zebu, are descendants of primitive cattle that existed before commercialization created larger body frames, and are therefore considered "naturally small." Some miniature breeds were created by "breeding down" or selecting the smallest stock from established breeds like Angus and Hereford. Many miniature breeds were created in the last 2 decades by crossing Dexters with other breeds, to create color variations and breed types that fulfill a range of purposes in the miniature cattle world. As with full size cattle, miniature breeds commonly have registries formed by networks of breeders, and these organizations maintain the pedigree records and promote the individual breed. Miniature cattle are typically between 36-46 inches in height (cow and bulls). There are also breeds, such as Shetland, that are small but perhaps not quite miniature. There has been a recent increase in the breeding and popularity of miniature cattle due to their economic and environmental benefits. A person's choice in breeds is often based on the suitability for the climate, terrain, the purpose of the animal (pet, milk, beef, draft-work) and just personal preference based on the aesthetic qualities of the breed. Some of the older breeds represent a unique gene pool that is being lost through specialization of commercial cattle, and this also creates a market among genetic preservationists. Miniature Jersey cows have a desirable temperament that makes them wonderful pets as well as milk cows. They are the safest cows to allow around children, and as a milk cow, they have udders that will produce excellent milk for many years. The following are examples of miniature breeds that have individual breed organizations.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. Website: www.mountainvalleyviewfarm.com
Mountain Valley View Farm Hours: Monday – Saturday Other farm hours by advance appointment only.
Getaway Studio Dining Room
Directions to Mountain Valley View Farm, Inc. From I-90 East or West Take the Sullivan Exit (291B) – South for about 3 miles |
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Jersey cattle are a small breed of dairy cattle. Originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey, the breed is popular for the high butterfat content of its milk and the lower maintenance costs incurred by its lower body weight, as well as its genial disposition. Possibly the best known example of the breed outside the United Kingdom is Elsie the Cow, the famous mascot of Borden, Inc., in the United States. Her face appears on cans of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, cheeses, fresh and shelf stable milk.
