Cow breeding cycle (thinking ahead)

[cjb]

Our Jersey is due to calf in February. How soon do I have to re-breed her for the next calfing? I assume that she has to calf every year to stay in milk?

I have just this one cow. Is it more practical to AI? How quickly to cows go into heat and is it obvious when they do? How does AI work? Do I call my local vet?

If she has a heifer this time, I am planning to keep/raise her for a second milk cow. if she has a bullcalf, then I will sell and hope for a heifer the next time around.

What do you think of AI'ing her w/ a mini jersey? She is on the big side for a jersey so wondered if I should try to scale the calf down. Also, if you do cross with a mini, do you usually get a medium size cow? if so, would a bull calf be then that much less sellable?

I am completely bovine ignorant.

[HazyDay]

My Aunt and Uncle breed 3 months after claving.

[MullersLaneFarm]

Breed back 2-3 months after calving.

It's hard to detect heat in a single cow. You can have your vet (or AI person) come out and give her a shot to put her in heat.

Signs of heat in a single cow (at least our cow!). More vocal, more affectionate (follow you around, et al), will try to mount you!

[ArmyDoc]

From what I've read it's usually 2-3 months after they deliver. You should dry them off about 2 months before the birth of the next calf is born. My interest is mostly in beef cattle, and there's a great book on raising beef cattle, it's "Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle" - available at amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-...4673421&sr=1-1

The same author wrote "Getting Started with Beef and Dairy Cattle" which might have more info about the dairy side. I haven't read this one, but the other by the same author is excellent... Here's the Amazon link

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Starte...673709&sr=1-36

Man do I envy you. I'm can hardly wait to get started, all I need is my cows...and the land to put them on. Sigh. All things in due time.

[JulieLou42]

If she drops a bull, band [steer] him and eat him before 18 mo. old Jersey is great tasting meat.

AI is great, if you can get it. My tech charges $30 and he's never had to re-do her...four bull calves in a row! No re-tries. You can even go so far as to learn to choose the best bull semen for your needs, if you want to go that route, from those available on line from major vendors.

If you think she's in heat, reach through the gate to her [or somewhere else where she can't mount YOU!] and scratch her brisket. If she jumps up, it's very likely she is. Also, she may have a mucous discharge from her hiney...tho' my cow never did, when I could see it anyway.

[Eunice]

Many dairies start rebreeding 50 days after freshening. There is a lot of debate about when is the best time. When we have real heavy milkers, I like to see them wait awhile before rebreeding - like until they drop under 100 pounds a day. The goal of rebreeding early is to keep the cow at the peak milk production more of her lifetime. For a family cows, this may not be necessary. We have had dairy cows milking over three years at a profitable level. I have read of cows milking on one single lactation over ten years. Some cows are more persistent than others.

[Tom McLaughlin]

If you have a problem with dehorning as I do ya might want to breed her to a polled jersey sire(if mini is your choice I think they are polled). Some are available at Select Sires and Taurus. More info can be found at the yahoo group polljersey.