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Post by davendahlonega on Mar 20, 2008 10:35:06 GMT -5
I have been wondering about breeding my cows to a Jersey bull? They will freshen in a few weeks and I am wondering if you have to breed them to a mini Jersey or if they can be bred to a standard Jersey?
Dave
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Post by liz on Mar 21, 2008 18:54:35 GMT -5
Hi Dave; I guess the answer to your question would depend on the size of your Dexters and how wide they are through the pins. If your cows are really small then any other breed might be a problem but if they are 44' -46', and well put together they should be able to handle a small older jersey type without too much trouble. I have bred my Jersey cow to a Dexter bull. She is small, about 1000lbs and of the older breedings but last year she was bred to a beef shorthorn! She had no problem with that birth. Another dexter breeder that I know put all of his cows to a Murray Grey one year and didn't have any calving problems. If you are concerned about the A1 milk then you could try a Guernsey. Although I don't know if that occurs in jerseys or just in Holstein-Freisens. Liz
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Post by davendahlonega on Mar 23, 2008 23:15:14 GMT -5
I have no idea what A1/A2 milk is. Please direct me to some info on this. I know most Jersey cows are of good temperament and they came from Jersey bulls? My girls are in that range. I'd like to breed for that size with good milk production. The shorter Dexters are a little too low for me to milk easily. I bought these two heifers unregistered so it doesn't really pay anymore to breed to a registered Dexter than to a small or mid size Jersey. I would like to raise good family milk cows. The small Jersey is o.k., but, they seem to have more health problems than Dexters. I have seen Dexters crossed with other breeds so I thought why not a Jersey. I would consider a smaller Guernsey, But my neighbor has a mid size Jersey bull he would loan me.(48-50") They are due to freshen in 4 & 6 weeks respectively, so I don't have to decide right away. I am interested in all information anyone can share in regards to breeding dexter heifers to other breeds. Dave
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