What to breed Jersey to?

[redgate]

I would just love to know your thoughts to help me make a decision...

We have some Lowline cows/calves we raise for beef. We just bought a standard Jersey heifer that is due to be bred this fall. I can't for the life of me make up my mind on what bull to use. I have very easy access to a very nice, high-quality, registered Lowline bull from our Lowlines' original breeder. That would produce a Jey-low calf. He also has a very nice 1/4 Jersey, 3/4 Lowline bull he uses to introduce some dairy characteristics into some of his cattle sold for homestead use. From another breeder, I have easy access to top-quality, very nice Dexter bull, which would give something like a Belfair calf (just not quite as short). What I don't have access to at this point is a Jersey bull. I would consider standard, mid, or mini sized, but haven't found one within a 2 hour drive, and that isn't doable this year--maybe next. I would also prefer not to AI at this time, for my own crazy reasons. Of the 2 breeders I do have access to, they are not your run-of-the-mill hobbyists. These are serious cattlemen who breed for top genetics, and their cattle show it.

What would you do? I would most likely be selling the calf if it's a heifer and raising it for beef if a bull calf. Oh, and btw, we are central IL if you happen to know of a really good Jersey bull of some sort.

Redgate

[karenp]

Consider the bulls for their traits, which bull has more of what you are looking for in offspring, temperament, low birth weight for easy calving, polled vs horned ...rather than their specific breed. Just my 2 cents and I'm not an expert.

[redgate]

LOL! That's part of the difficulty! All 3 are halter broke, gentle bulls, with great personalities, great conformation, very hardy, polled, and since they are small breeds, their calves will all be plenty small for my standard girl. I hate making decisions like this! I actually have a very nice red Lowline bull in my pasture to breed my two Lowline girls right now. If my Jersey girl was old enough, I'd probably be tempted! I think my difficulty is that I will most likely sell if it's a heifer calf, and since we just moved here, I have no idea what the market is looking for yet. I would like to breed something that would sell and help pay for the investment I already have in these girls.

[JLMissouri]

If it was me I would breed it to the Dexter, especially if the Dexter is from dairy lines. All the bulls you mentioned would be good candidates, I just think Dexter and Jersey crosses compliment each other. I also think it would sell better than the other crosses. Just my opinion.

[65284]

Have you given any thought to breeding her to a Jersey by AI? If you are fortunate enough a heifer she would be more valuable than any crossbred. If you got a bull you would have some fine future beef.

[redgate]

JL, the Dexter is from beef lines. The lines have not been milked, so the breeder is clueless about their milking potential. 65284, I have considered the AI. It isn't my ideal, and it seems the expense may be far more than stud fee for live cover. I haven't ruled it out yet though. Just not sure. I would LOVE to find an A2 mid or mini bull to cross her with, and would be willing to drive several hours to do so. I just haven't yet. I'll keep up the search, though, and see what comes of it. I was just curious what others thought about the crosses.

[Jupiter]

We use AI with our girls & they have all taken the1st & only time. We bred to a A2 polled jersey bull.

[redgate]

Jupiter, can you provide me with more info? I would love to get a better idea of the exact costs and preparations involved (using a vet most likely as I am clueless). Also what bull did you use? I'd love to know I have a proven one since it would be girl's first time.

[Jupiter]

It cost $104 for each breeding. We just tied our girls up while they were AI'd. I think it took maybe 5 minutes from start to finish. We used a bull our AI guy had by the name of Colonel.