In most cases, Russian farmers contain dairy cows for productivity. Over the centuries, just a huge number of cattle breeds of this group were bred. One of the oldest and most productive is the Jersey. This rather unusual breed has recently become very popular, including in Russia.
The history of the Jersey cattle
This breed was bred in England in the 16th century by selection of local British cattle by fat milk. The tribal book of the 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 somewhat 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 milk-fat qualities of other breeds.
At the end of 19, a cow of Jersey breed was introduced into Russia. However, unfortunately, then these animals did not take root in our country. For the second time, such cattle were brought to the USSR in 1947.
Since then, the breeding of the Jersey breed of cows has become more or less massive. It is used mainly to improve black-and-white cattle in the Moscow, Ryazan, Leningrad and Novgorod regions. The hybrids obtained then have a slightly lower mass and milk yield, but at the same time an increased fat content of milk. This quality is still preserved to some extent among motley Siberian cows.
general description
The main distinguishing feature of Jersey cows is their small stature. 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:
Cows of this breed usually have a light or darkish sand. Sometimes there are individuals with white markings on the legs and lower body. The chest in animals is usually darker than the rest of the body. In gobies, a black stripe sometimes goes along the back. The udder of Jersey cows is voluminous, bowl-shaped.
Productivity
In terms of meat production, the productivity of the Jersey cattle is not too high. The weight of the cow of this breed is only 350-400 kg, the calf - 600 kg. In addition, these animals are distinguished by flat ribs and rather narrow breasts. That is, the meat yield 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 figure can reach up to 10,000 and higher. However, in terms of fat content, Jersey cattle is significantly superior to most other varieties of cattle. Ideally, this figure is 6%. In this case, protein in milk contains 3.7-3.9%. Fat content may vary depending on the location of the cows and the quality of the feed. In Russia, the productivity of jayser cows in this regard is at an average level.
Content Benefits
Thus, the maintenance of Jersey cattle can become quite profitable. How much cow gives milk, we found out. In general, a little, but it is very oily. Among other things, the content of this cattle provides the following advantages:
Profitability. Jersey cows and gobies consume 20% less feed than, for example, the same popular Holstein cows.
Lack of trouble associated with diseases. These cows rarely become infected with any infections. Also, due to their low weight, they experience less problems with hooves than other breeds.
Character and habits
One of the advantages of these cows is the complete lack of aggressiveness towards humans and other livestock. The cattle’s temper of this breed is very quiet, rather docile and calm. Some individuals may even be a little shy. It’s quite difficult to get used to the new owners of a bull or a cow of a Jersey breed. When transferred to another farm, at first they may even lose a little in productivity. However, after a couple of months, heifers and gobies fully adapt, get used to new conditions and become very attached to the owners.
Breeding Features
Among the advantages of cattle of this breed, among other things, many farmers attribute the ease of breeding. Jersey cows in our country are quite expensive due to their rarity. The price of a bull, for example, can reach up to 70 thousand rubles. Dairy cows, of course, are even more expensive. However, since these animals breed quickly, many farmers already have whole herds of such cattle on their farms. Jersey cows are not only easily inseminated, but usually do not experience any problems during childbirth. This is explained primarily by the fact that the calves of this breed are very small. The weight of newborn babies is only about 20-22 kg.
Plus Jersey cattle is considered including precocity. For the first time such a cow can calve at the age of a year. A newborn is placed under the face of the mother so that she licks it. If the cow does not do this, the baby just needs to be wiped with straw. In the first half hour after giving birth, the calf must drink mother's milk. If for some reason he cannot do this on his own, you should feed him from a bottle.
A week a calf is only milked. From the age of seven days a little hay is added to the diet, slightly sprinkled with chalk. As soon as the calf is a month old, you can start giving him vegetables: swede, potatoes, beets. After some time, mixed feed is introduced into the diet, and milk is gradually diluted with water until completely replaced. At the age of two months, the calf is fully transferred to an adult diet.
What you need to know
The answer to the question of how much cow gives milk depends in many respects on how well the farm owners will behave after calving. Milking the animal during this period should be given maximum attention. With the wrong approach, a calving cow can greatly reduce productivity. They catch the jasper after childbirth according to the following scheme:
Gradually, the number of milking is reduced to 2 per day.
Feeding Features
The productivity of Jersey cows, unlike most other breeds, very much depends on the quality of feeding. Thus, an average of 4,000 l / g in a very protein-rich diet, dairy cows can increase as much as 11,000 l / g. They feed the jasper with high-quality young hay, silo, potatoes, beets, rutabaga. Compound feed is given at the rate of about 300 g per liter of milk. Hay Jersey cow requires about 12-16 kg per day. In the barn, lump salt is always laid out. This will make up for the lack of trace elements in animals.
Immediately after calving, the cow of the Jersey breed should receive only mixed feed, in which a few nitrates are added. The animal is transferred to a normal diet after three weeks. Water calving Burenka should be given twice a day. This will contribute to good lactation. Reduce the amount of fluid only if the udder of the animal looks swollen.
Some breed flaws
In addition to the advantages, of course, these animals have some disadvantages. To such farmers include:
the need to equip a rather warm barn, absolutely without drafts;
the appearance from time to time of calves with signs of degeneration.
Jersey cows rarely have calves with a “wrong” exterior. But sometimes it does happen. Such offspring usually have improperly spaced hind legs. Some of the disadvantages of this cattle include the impossibility of obtaining large quantities of meat. Of course, shyness is also considered a minus.
Jersey breed of cows: reviews of farmers
Russian farmers have a positive opinion about this cattle. Many users of specialized forums on the Internet declare their desire to get Jersey animals on their farm or in a homestead.
However, many cattle breeders ask where you can buy a cow of Jersey breed. It is difficult to obtain such animals in Russia because of their rarity. But sometimes they are still imported to Russia. For example, in the Moscow region. At the same time, farmers are buying up heifers and calves literally instantly. Private animals also sell these animals. Some farmers, including in the outback, as already mentioned, have whole herds of these animals.
Conclusion
Recently, a cow of a Jersey breed has been gaining popularity among Russian farmers for good reason. Of course, there are some drawbacks to these cows. However, they have a great many advantages. This is a 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. Particularly good is the Jersey breed of cows, the pros and cons of which were considered by us in the article, suitable for those farms that, in addition to milk itself, specialize in the production of butter and cheese.