Looking at a Jersey cow to buy, and need help

Joey Wahoo · #1 01/30/07, 08:20 AM

I ran an ad for a Jersey in my local paper. Someone responded and I'll be looking at her this weekend.

He says she's 2 years old, bred, and due to calf in September.

I know nothing. What should I look for? What should I ask? What is a reasonable range of prices?

Plan is to train and eventually handmilk her.

thanks in advance!

bqz · #2 01/30/07, 08:59 AM

I DON'T KNOW MUCH MYSELF BUT HERE'S A SITE I RAN INTO THE OTHER DAY AND IT HAS A COUPLE QUESTION YOU COULD ASK AND SOME INFO ON RAISING ANIMALS.ALSO I HAVE FOUND SEARCHING AROUND ON THIS FORUM IS A BIG HELP!
http://www.2farm.co.nz/farm-essentials.html GO DOWN ABOUT HALF WAY AND LOOK AT BUYING ANIMALS

WHEN YOU TALKED WITH THEM DID THEY GIVE YOU A PRICE AT ALL ?

cindy04 · #3 01/30/07, 09:24 AM

Go to www.real-food.com. This site will answer your questions.

Joey Wahoo · #4 01/30/07, 09:44 AM

Thanks Cindy. I ordered that book yesterday, but I hadn't noticed the FAQs.

bqz: that site is very good too.

thanks to both of you

jerzeygurl · #5 01/30/07, 10:14 AM

price depends on area alot, look at bag to see if there is any damage, check her conformation, see if her mother is on site and look her over good. I would arrange for certain health tests done before buying a milker ie tb and brucellosis and whatever else you may be concerned about. also what is she bred to. if anything other than another jersey or angus or someother small headed breed i will be hesitant as other breeds have larger heads at birth, and jerseys are not built for that.

first calf heifer should not be as much as a trained milker of course. calving in september is good, should still be warm and not too rainy, jersey calves are smaller and weaker than most other calves and need more attention, warm and dry is important early on.

cindy04 · #6 01/30/07, 02:39 PM

There is actually a discussion forum on the real-food website that is great.

IMContrary · #7 01/30/07, 10:14 PM

The best website there is about anything to do with keeping a family cow:

http://familycow.proboards32.com/index.cgi

And a copy of her book is a must!

http://www.real-food.com/

Up North · #8 01/30/07, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Wahoo

I ran an ad for a Jersey in my local paper. Someone responded and I'll be looking at her this weekend.

He says she's 2 years old, bred, and due to calf in September.

I know nothing. What should I look for? What should I ask? What is a reasonable range of prices?

Plan is to train and eventually handmilk her.

thanks in advance!

Varies by region, but I would think somewhere in the $900 to $1400 price range would be "reasonable". I would walk up to the animal, taking note if she is "flighty'(high strung) or remains calm as you walk about. Your description suggests a heifer that has not yet had a calf, so a visual inspection of the udder won't tell you much. Some desirable qualities to look for would be feet that are placed squarely under the heifer, a straight topline to her back, bright, alert eyes and a healthy coat of hair.
Ask the seller: What is there reason for selling?...Has a vet confirmed heifer is pregnant?...what breed is she pregnant to?...Do they have the mother and if so can you see her?(like mother like daughter)...and has the heifer had any vaccinations done, what and how recently? Good Luck.

Jennifer L. · #9 01/31/07, 04:06 AM

Handle her udder area. See if she tolerates it. There's lots of time to train her yet but if I were not used to cows I wouldn't want to try and train an animal that wanted to take my head off for handling her.

And make sure a vet has preg checked her because she hasn't been bred more than 6 or 8 weeks.

Jennifer