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2010 Calves here!!
There are many reasons we chose to get into
Miniature Jersey cattle but the main one is that they are more feed efficient
for the milk they produce. Add on top of that their smaller size for easy
handling and sweet disposition and it is no wonder we chose this breed.
The foundation Mini Jersey is actually stock
from the original Jersey cows on the Jersey island. Originally they were a very
small cow but were selectively bred to be larger in this country - hence the
large Jersey cows we are used to seeing. A true Miniature Jersey is actually
quite a rare cow and highly sought after. The Miniature Jersey Registry is quite
new but is doing a wonderful job of tracking and registering these little cows.
Due to the small number of original foundation stock the registry is open right
now allowing for other breeds mixed with mini Jersey to be registered as
percentage animals. Here is a quote from the American Miniature Jersey
Association
"The number of Foundation Miniature
Jerseys in the country is very small. Therefore in order to expand the breed and
keep it strong and accomplish the popular Miniature size the Registry will
accept percentage animals sired by Miniature Jersey registered sires. The
breeder can work with the percentage animals and gradually breed them up to the
status known as Native Pure (bred in this country) when they reach 7/8 or more
Miniature Jersey blood. This is known as the Miniature Jersey Upbreeding
Program."
I originally wanted to obtain a foundation mini
Jersey but after much searching and frustration realized that they are few and
far between as well as very expensive. Because of this I decided to participate
in the upbreeding program. I have two percentage cows and one Native pure heifer
calf so far. They have the white Galloway coloring, but a lot of Jersey type and
definitely Jersey quality milk!
South House Neptune
-Native pure calf
Neptune was 21 inches at birth and is currently 28 inches at
5 months of age. She will probably stay small enough to be a full Mini jersey.
Mini Blubugg Tudor (Saturn)
Saturn is my current milk cow. This was her first lactation
and she had never even been handled before I got her. She gives me 4 gallons a
day with plenty of cream and is wonderful to milk. Saturn is 43 -44 inches
tall and a percentage mid size miniature. Neptune is her calf.
Mini Blubugg Shorty (Mars)
Mars is a 43 inch Percentage midsize Jersey. Mars lost had
her calf early this year and lost it. She bawled and bawled for Saturn's calf
so I finally let them in together thinking she would keep it company. She
adopted Neptune right away and regained enough milk to nurse the calf too. she
is an affectionate and funny girl.
Son of Fat Louie
Son of Fat Louie belongs to Fonnie Thoman of Riverview
Farms. He is a 39 inch Foundation pure bull that we have bred our girls to.
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