Bessie my first Jersey cow raised 16 calfs in a year

myersfarm · #1 01/30/12, 09:12 AM

My Bessie my first jersey cow raised 16 calfs the first year.... gave 12 gallons first few weeks after freshen
She taught me how to milk...

Bessie my first Jersey cow raised 16 calfs in a year - Cattle

Bessie my first Jersey cow raised 16 calfs in a year - Cattle

stifflej · #2 01/30/12, 10:34 AM

I would love to be able to do this, just don't have the knowledge at this time. Not sure I would try for 16 the first try either. How long did you leave the calves on? How many at one time?

6e · #3 01/30/12, 10:38 AM

Our Guernsey cow, before we got her, was raising 4 calves on her. I don't think my poor arms could hold out milking out 4 gallons of milk!

myersfarm · #4 01/30/12, 12:18 PM

stifflej left on 9 weeks as you can see 4 at a time

Cheryl aka JM · #5 01/30/12, 06:18 PM

Your Bessie is impressive!!
I've got 3 calves on my Bessie and 2 on my Bossy right now (both are jersey/holstein cross cows on their first lactation). Both my girls took the additional calves pretty easy, and the calves are long past could be weened. I want to put new calves on them soon~ Any good tips to help me wean off the calves I have on my bessie and get her working on the next two like you Bessie does?

myersfarm · #6 01/30/12, 06:43 PM

thats a trick that always worked for me if the cow will take them..some cows will not take no matter what you do ...I just leave her calf on for three days with the new batch...yes her calf one big one and 3 new little ones... then pull her calf 3 to 5 days later...after the new calfs adjust to her milk and her smell is coming out the rear of calves

Cheryl aka JM · #7 01/30/12, 08:53 PM

Thanks!