Is this a good idea? Jersey x heifer

Citychick · #1 02/19/12, 01:08 PM

I have the chance to buy a 3\4 jersey 1\4 limousine heifer calf this week. They want $350 for her we bought two holstein cross bull calves from them yesterday and all the calves are clean healthy and well cared for. I want a milk cow for the family and they are going for 1500.00 t0 1800.00 around here as first time bred heifers. Do you think it's worth it to raise your own and is this a good cross? I know it would be awhile before we would have milk but I have my nubians to milk in the mean time. Thanks

haypoint · #2 02/19/12, 04:09 PM

I think Limousine have very large calves. Seems unlikely that there would be a cross unless someone was using a Jeresy bull on a beef Limousine cow, due to the big difference in calving weights. Seems a strange cross to me.

francismilker · #3 02/19/12, 04:25 PM

How old is she?

kycrawler · #4 02/19/12, 04:31 PM

the amish around here cross a limo bull with jersey cows . They say the cows hold condition a little better and do better on forage only diets . From what i have seen the cows are a little more flighty and milk production is a little less

Citychick · #5 02/19/12, 05:04 PM

She is about 10 days old.

kycrawler · #6 02/19/12, 05:48 PM

thats abot 2x what she would bring around here

loislanefl · #7 02/19/12, 06:01 PM

I would like that cross but we like dairy/beef crosses. I feel the beef part of them makes them more hardy, and you get a lot of cream in the milk. I know people with Jersey/Angus and Jersey/Hereford and they get great production from their cows. They also need less grain to maintain condition. We have a Jersey/Angus heifer but she is only 3 months.

allenslabs · #8 02/19/12, 06:43 PM

I paid $130 for a week old jers/ang cross here in IN.

Creamers · #9 02/19/12, 06:57 PM

Sounds fair if the dairy heifers bred are going as high as that.

birdman1 · #10 02/19/12, 07:15 PM

That price is pretty high for a baby calf .limos i'v been told are not easy to tame but with 3/4 jersey maybe ok .baby hostens bulls are 100 healthy off the farm less at auction (very risky health wise } If she was a little older or pure bred did you try to bargin em down

springvalley · #11 02/19/12, 07:30 PM

I would say a bit high, but they may have the attitude that they don`t have to sell her. Your call, I would say she should be all right for a cow. > Thanks Marc

loislanefl · #12 02/19/12, 08:36 PM

The price might be a little bit higher than you would normally see, but if it is a reputable seller and nice healthy calves, it is worth paying more. Especially in an area where adult cows are scarce or expensive.

DJ in WA · #13 02/19/12, 11:42 PM

The cattle with which I've been most disappointed were cheap. Do you save money buying a cheap pair of shoes you don't like and won't wear? Considering how long you might have her, a hundred or two isn't going to mean much if she's the right animal. I like the sound of the place you describe.

I also like beef/jersey crosses to cut down the milk production and reduce problems such as milk fever. I don't need gallons of milk daily. Plus if you want a beef calf out of her, the beef part of her makes for a beefier calf.

I can tell on about day 2 if a calf is naturally gentle. Run your hand over her and see how much she flinches, or pulls away from you. The kicking gene seems to work separately, as I've had gentle ones kick, and more wild ones not kick. My current cow is not naturally very gentle, but with work, she does okay, and has never offered to kick. I can even pick up her feet.

While limousins have had a reputation for flightiness, they instituted a system to measure docility and improve the breed, which is supposed to be working.

http://www.nalf.org/pdf/2010/aug19/t...emperament.pdf

Quote:

Limousin breeders have been using docility EPDs since 1998, when NALF published the first genetic evaluation for docility. By placing a strong emphasis on selection for calmer cattle in their breeding programs, they have improved the temperament of Limousin cattle dramatically.

The figure shows the genetic trend in docility as measured by the average docility EPD for Limousin cattle born from 1985 through 2007. The graph shows cattle born in 1990 had an average docility EPD of about +1, and those born in 2007 averaged +15. That is a 14-point increase in 17 years, which is quite remarkable considering tools for genetically improving temperament have been around since only 1998.

Even with that success, Limousin breeders continue to collect docility scores and select even more stringently for calm, acceptable behavior. They are committed to providing quality genetics for the commercial users of Limousin cattle.

Citychick · #14 02/23/12, 07:57 PM

Thanks for all of the info. The hubby went back today and brought me home an aryshire/jersey cross. She is very cute and seems healthy. With a little heart shaped spot in the middle of her forehead.

matt_man · #15 02/23/12, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citychick

Thanks for all of the info. The hubby went back today and brought me home an aryshire/jersey cross. She is very cute and seems healthy. With a little heart shaped spot in the middle of her forehead.

I think you'll be happy with her. We have a cow with a heart shape white mark on her forehead...She's named "Heart"...hahaha Not named by us.

matt_man · #16 02/23/12, 08:24 PM

You could call her Valentine

allenslabs · #17 02/23/12, 08:48 PM

Oh that sounds like a pretty cross!! How dare you post and not give us pictures!! I mean seriously....there are those of us who live for pictures! LOL! Best of luck with your little new addition!

Citychick · #18 02/24/12, 02:44 PM

Pics coming soon! The weather is yucky here so maybe I can get some later when we go out to the barn.

Citychick · #19 02/25/12, 12:50 PM

Here are some pic of "Fancy" She is a hoot! Wouldn't stand still for the pics. Is this a good idea? Jersey x heifer - Cattle

loislanefl · #20 02/25/12, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citychick

Thanks for all of the info. The hubby went back today and brought me home an aryshire/jersey cross. She is very cute and seems healthy. With a little heart shaped spot in the middle of her forehead.

That should be a fabulous cross. Ayrshires are great and have wonderful milk. Congrats!