Feeding a jersey in arid climate?

[ColoradoGirl]

Ok, I am purchasing a jersey cow this spring. But i am concerned about keeping her fed well. I live in CO at about 7200 feet. Its aired here so I'll have to irrigate if I fence a pasture space. (we have 250 acres with about 80 I can irrigate) I bought the family cow book and I am concerned that I can't keep her happy with the grass here. - Long about July it gets dry. Was wondering if I should try and reseed with an alfalfa mix. Its just in brome now. My grandpa (91) says I should just stake her at the bottom of the irrigation roes and let her eat the tall grass there. We raise blue spruce and the grass remains green there all summer because we water the trees. But the book acts like they are picky. I grew up with beef cattle and raised goats for aobut 5 years. But it seems diary cows are WAY different.

Anyone in my climate that could give me advice? How much sweet mix would she need a day on grass?

I am trying to figure out how to keep her in condition grazing 6 months of the year. My gramps just chuckled when I told him I was getting a milk cow. He thinks I'm strange wanting to mess with such things in these times. He said its more work than worth. He gave up with all livestock 45 years ago. But before that he raised everything here.


Advice?

[IMContrary]

Ask your Gramps what he did back when he had cattle. Since he knows the area well, he should have a good idea on what is best for your climate.

[ColoradoGirl]

Well, I think he had about 20 acres fenced for the milk cows. But the trees are in that space now. In addition, I think the cows were way more hardy 50 years ago than now. He acts like she can graze here, even when it gets dry, and be fine with a little grain.

This project (1 Cow & milking barn) is costing about $5000. I don't want to make any mistakes. We have quite a bit of snow for 6 months or so. I know I need good hay for the other 6 months of the year.