jersey cattle society
Jersey Cattle Society
of the United Kingdom
Scotsbridge House,
Scots Hill,
Rickmansworth,
Hertfordshire,
WD3 3BB
info@ukjerseys.com
tel: 01923 695296
jersey cattle

 

 

 

Jersey Breed Facts

Jersey popularity continues

It is a great pleasure to report that the breed has gone from strength to strength in 2006 at BCMS where

11310 Pure-bred females was an 8% increase on 2005 and 16% over 2003

Jersey sired cross-bred females at 5924 were 17% above 2005 and 55% up on 2003.

Among the dairy breeds, Jerseys accounted for 47% of the non black & white pure female animals and 42% of cross-breeds

At the Society Pedigree female registrations totalled 8856

Official milk record results confirm that over 20000 completed lactations were recorded for the breed in the year to the end of September and the 305 day average was 5513 kgs milk at 5.41% butterfat and 3.82% protein

NMR analysis of youngstock numbers on farms highlights that the Jersey breed is set for further growth as breeding female youngstock totalled 118% of the milking population – this compares with 96% for Ayrshires, 97% for Holsteins and 99% for Guernseys.

Facts

The Jersey is relatively small in size - about 400 to 450kgs in weight

It is extremely dairylike in type.

It is renowned for the quality of her milk

It is typically light brown in colour, though this can range from being almost grey to dull black, which is known as Mulberry. They can also have white patches which may cover much of the animal.

A true Jersey will however always have a black nose bordered by an almost white muzzle.

The Jersey hard black feet are much less prone to lameness.

The Jersey can now be found across the world with a large population in Countries such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, and Zimbabwe, as well as here in the UK.

After the Holstein the Jersey is the second most popular specialist Dairy breed world-wide.
Jerseys thrive under both extremes of temperature - they can grow thick coats in very cold climates, whilst suffering form much less heat stress than the other dairy breeds in hotter regions of the world.

Jerseys perform well under a wide range of systems, from the feedlots of California to the grazing only systems of Australia and New Zealand.

Despite her small size the Jersey is renowned for its ease of calving, allowing it to be crossed with the larger beef breeds.

Whilst it is normal practice to calve Jerseys at two years of age in this country, due to the breeds early maturity they may well have their first calf from the age of 19-20 months onwards.

Studies carried out in Denmark show the Jersey to be less prone to many diseases than the other dairy breeds.

Scientific studies also show the Jersey cow produces milk more efficiently than other breeds. This can be especially important in countries where feed may be restricted. As well as making the Jersey a profitable option in agriculturally developed countries.

Many herds of Jerseys in the UK now average well over 5000kgs of milk produced per cow per year, with the best individual animals yielding around 9000kgs or higher.

Jersey milk is in many ways unique. As a product it contains:- 18% more protein, 20% more calcium, 25% more butterfat than "average" milk.

In the UK milk and dairy products from both Jersey and Guernsey cows are increasingly being sold under the "GOLD TOP" label, which is reserved for sole use.

Jersey milk has always been associated with luxury and this is still helping to increase the sales of these products in a world more concerned with "healthy living".

Such is the demand for Jersey milk to make these luxury products that there is currently a lot of renewed interest in the breed. In both the USA and South Africa the Jersey is the only breed increasing in numbers due to the demand for this high quality processing milk.

 

 
tumpline internet Copyright © 1998 - 2012 Jersey Cattle Society of the United Kingdom
Registered Charity No. 252271
VAT Reg No 199 3065 26
A Company limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.18573
tumpline internet