Thinking about the future already :)

[wildhorse]

I took maggie (my jersey) to the vets today for her shots and for a Q and A session. He said her weight was perfect and that she was really well behaved which makes me happy considering I'm green as far as cows go. I ask him if he does AI. He said he knows how but that there isn't much of a demand for it around here Brad was there having coggins pulled on some paints and
said I would be better off breeding her to a hefford due to smaller calf size. I only know of one jersey bull and thats her sire and I don't think there are any dexters around. What would y'all recommend? Her first will probably go in the freezer. I really would like to be able to use AI later but I'm not even sure my vet has the equipment. My vet was shocked to know that she has already been in heat twice and she is just 6 months old.

[mtnmenagerie]

not that one would be any easier to find... but you should look into Milking Devons!

[5webbkids]

The majority of Jersey dairies I have found in NC seem to be from Statesville westward. The Biltmore has a herd, if you are close to there. I don't know about breeding to a Hereford, but many have success breeding to Black Angus, some even milk the cross.
If there are any cattle or even pig farms near you, you might be able to find an AI tech. Nasco, I believe it is, carries all the equipment if you wanted to invest so your vet could get her bred to a nice Jersey sire....even some of the humdinger nice ones are not too expensive and they have that 90% heifer semen these days too!
Have you been to Keeping a Family Cow? They have lots of info and experience.
Good luck with your girl!

[Teacupliz]

My vet says to NO WAY breed to a beef bred -their heads are bigger and body size is bigger. I bought a Jersey bred to a Highlander and she had a really hard time.
Liz

[ChasingDreams]

Hi! I'm in the western piedmont - an hour and a half or so from the western mountains (Asheville, Rutherfordton, etc) I *know* there are several Jersey farms out this way - one a few miles down the road from me.

Have you tried looking on the national Jersey site for local farms? That's where I found the info, I do believe.

Good luck finding a bull

[sammyd]

http://genex.crinet.com/dairy/index....de=UJV&lang=EN
http://abs-bs.absglobal.com/dairy/protein_ss.asp

Plenty of Jersey sires out there. Just 2 companies off the top of my head.