mini or mid size jersey cow

[Goat Doula]

Does anyone have a mini or mid size jersey cow you milk? I've been looking at them and think I would like to have one. We already have beef cows and have dairy goats but would also love to make our own butter. I've made it from my goat's milk but it sure takes a long time to collect the cream. Anything anyone can tell me about the mini or mid size Jersey cows will be greatly appreciated. I just think they would be easier for me to handle myself without DH's help. Thanks

[linn]

Have you tried your local Craigslist? A Dexter from a good milking line might fit the bill also.

[Goat Doula]

Thank you linn. Yes, I have kept my eye out and just missed a great deal. I have also looked at the Dexter cows too and have thought about them. I guess I was thinking the Jersey would have more butterfat. Why I was thinking about a smaller Jersey or Dexter is I really don't need gallons of cow milk where I have the dairy goats but sure would like to have enough cream to make our butter. We are pretty much self sufficient and getting there more and more. I love it. I feel proud. Plus health wise, you can't beat it.

[Goat Doula]

linn, I saw a picture of your cow in another thread about building a milking parlor. Is that a Dexter? Nice nice cow you have there. That one would fit the bill I think. How much milk does she give you a day and does she produce a lot of cream so you can make your butter? Thanks

[linn]

I am sorry to say that we lost that little cow this summer. DD was my first Dexter and she gave four gallons a day at peak production. Most Dexters don't milk quite that well though. A first calf Dexter heifer usually does not give enough milk to raise a calf and furnish the house with milk, but from the second lactation, on, they will raise a calf and furnish enough milk for the house. Make sure to find out about the lineage of a Dexter cow before buying. Some are from milking backgrounds and others aren't. Most any bull from the Woodmagic Line, Lucifer of Knotting, Glencara Finerty and Hillview Morris are a few bulls from good milking lines. That doesn't mean that Dexter cows from other lines won't milk well enough to be a family cow, but these are the bulls I am familiar with. Most Dexters produce 4% to 5% butterfat milk.
Have you checked out the Dexter Cattle forum?

http://dextercattle.proboards.com/

[Goat Doula]

I am so sorry to hear you lost her. That's always such a hard thing. Boy, we love all of our animals like family and when we loose one we morn them terribly. It sounds like good bred ones produce as much butterfat as a Jersey. I've not considered a Dexter before because we have always been Jersey fans. Guess it's time to step out of the box! We will see what comes up for sale. Thank you so much for the link to the Dexter boards. Looks like a lot of great information. Our goats provide the milk for our family along with all the cheeses I make so production from a cow would only be for butter and any extra milk would probably go for cheese making. We have seen such a difference with our health/allergies since going to the goat's milk. Thanks linn