07/23/13, 11:40 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 575
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MIni-Jerseys have a lot of advantages, certainly. They eat less, produce less milk than a standard or large size, and are generally hardier due to some outcrossing with other breeds to help them size down. That being said, they are also crazy expensive and hard to find. I was on a waiting list for 2 years, and then, when my turn came up, the breeder sold her only heifer calf to someone else before contacting me. Very disappointing. You are going to most likely be looking in the price range of about $3000-5000, depending on registration status, age, whether they are proven or in milk. Of all the breeders I spoke with (a LOT), none would even consider selling a calf on it's side or a package deal. There was just too much money in separating them and selling individually. Also, of all the breeders I spoke with the #1 complaint was that their udder was so low to the ground. One breeder even let us come milk hers. She had overcome the low udder issue by building a milk "stand" at ground level (so no ramps or anything), but then digging out the ground beside the "stand" about 8 inches, where she sat on a stool. It was a lot like milking a goat size wise, but the cow has less flexibility in her legs, and requires a little more contorting to get at the back teats.
After all our time waiting, we wound up finding a standard-sized (dam was roughly 48 inches) heifer that was A2/A2 casein (we were looking specifically for that more than size), and for a MUCH more affordable price. I seriously would have paid triple just for the A2 status.
Now I just have to figure out who to breed her to....I have easy access to a Lowline, a Dexter, and a 1/4 Jersey, 3/4 Lowline. Just no easy access to a Jersey of any size. Oh, decisions, decisions....
Hope that helps give you some things to consider.
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