going to look at some "Amish" Jerseys..advice needed

[dk_40207]

We received word from some Amish folks that they do have some cows and heifers for sale. We are excited , as Jerseys are VERY hard to find around here.
We have a few questions.....

1. What are good priced on what I'm sure will be non-registered Jerseys? We just aren't sure what to expect, and what is resonable...
2. If we purchased a milking cow...what upper age limit should we be trying for? What would be your optimal age?
3. Any health things in particular we should be looking for?
4. We were going to ask what they would charge for stud fee if we brought her back for that...what would you say is a good price on that?


Any other advice? Thanks!

Christina

[Tango]

Jersey prices here are $300 for day-old heifer calf, $500 for 3 month old heifer calf, $9-1200 for adult in milk and bred back. My optimal age is a young cow. A younger Jersey still hasn't come into her adult production and her body will be more forgiving for your mistakes. They can get mastitis easily if not milked out. An older animal should be more patient and might help you through the milking learing curve. I got a first freshener so I would have her for a long time. But she was completely trained to milk and has a very calm disposition. I doubt all of them are like that. If she is bred back get it in writing and also get her health record (shots, calvings, milk production). It may not be formal and you can also just ask about this stuff. They should know. Go around them, brush them, give them scratches, try to milk them, etc. so you get an idea of what you are dealing with.

If she's in milk bring her home when you are already set up and she has been milked for the day. That gives you an evening to get acquainted and a night of sleep before you have to start the routine. Have what they feed on hand.

I don't know about breeding prices. If there are AI techs in your area, call them to find out. Once you have your Jersey home and learn about her you may have "improvements" in mind and AI would be the way to go from what I've read here.
Exciting stuff! I hope you find your family milker

[Ronney]

Hi Christina,
Not being State side, I can't advise you on price etc. and suspect that you will have to go with your gut instinct anyway as prices for cattle and the various breeds vary all over the country no matter where you live. If Jersey's are hard to come by in your part of the country you could find yourself haveing to pay top dollar.

As to age, well I suppose ideally you should be looking at something around the 4-6 year old mark but that will be entirely up to you. There may well be a nice little heifer there that takes your fancy or on the other end of the scale there could be some ugly 9 year old that is going to fit the bill for you - I've bought both and not lived to regret it.

As with purchasing most animals, check that eyes are clear and not runny, nose is clean, no drooling from the mouth, check teeth if possible. Coat at this time of your year should be sleek or becoming so, bones should be nicely covered. Take a good look at feet - hooves should not be long and overgrown, particularly the back feet. Check the udder for conformity, ask for milking history regarding mastitis etc. I'm a lousy farmer in so far as I go on gut instinct and have purchased cows that others look askance at but they have ended up serving me well, producing good milk and good calves and in some cases, been real characters.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[uncle Will in In.]

Daughter sold an Amish born jersey heifer at the auction in Rochester In. today. She was 16 months old. Not bred. Weighed 695. She was shown in 4H two years. Tame and halter broke. She brought $1.30 per pound. $903

[Up North]

Originally Posted by dk_40207

We received word from some Amish folks that they do have some cows and heifers for sale. We are excited , as Jerseys are VERY hard to find around here.
We have a few questions.....

1. What are good priced on what I'm sure will be non-registered Jerseys? We just aren't sure what to expect, and what is resonable...
2. If we purchased a milking cow...what upper age limit should we be trying for? What would be your optimal age?
3. Any health things in particular we should be looking for?
4. We were going to ask what they would charge for stud fee if we brought her back for that...what would you say is a good price on that?


Any other advice? Thanks!

Christina

Just my humble opinion on above Questions:
1. A maximum of $1,600 for springing heifer or good young(2 calves or less) cow. A maximum of $2,000 if registered same as above.
2. Always buy YOUTH. Anything from 18 months old & confirmed pregnant up to a cow that has had 2 calves. Young cows have a future. Young cows are fertile.
3. 4 healthy quarters on udder. Physical inspection required on cows. Visual inspection adequate on heifers. CONFIRMED PREGNANT BY A VET. I would not, however, ask for this confirmation in writing, for two reasons. One is it would be an insult to many dairy farmers and get you thrown off the place. Two is it is not fair to seller - Just because cow is PG at vet check does not mean it will stay that way. A cow can lose it's pregnancy for any number of reason's not the fault of the seller.
4. Unless you live within 3 miles and are good friends, bringing a milking cow to another farm for breeding is cumbersome at best. I would make the effort to learn heat detection, then have her bred AI. You should be able to have this done for under $50 including all trip charges, etc.
Happy Trails .......................................

[dk_40207]

Thanks!