I will be looking for a bred Jersey cow this fall. I do not *currently* have the facilities for a full grown cow, but the calves will be older soon and need a place - so I'm working on it!
This fall I'd like to try a Jersey for milking and raising a couple of bottle calves on (she can nurse them better than I can bottle feed, I'm sure!). My question is, where can I get a decent cow? I've talked with the locals and they all agree that the auction barn is probably the last place to go because you never know what you're going to get. Besides the fact that I've never been there (nor would I have the first clue as to how that works), I'd rather get a tried cow, a good mother, good milker, etc. So where do I start? I am in Northwest Iowa and don't think there's anyone in the area with Jerseys - they all have the beef cows or Holsteins...
-Sarah
This fall I'd like to try a Jersey for milking and raising a couple of bottle calves on (she can nurse them better than I can bottle feed, I'm sure!). My question is, where can I get a decent cow? I've talked with the locals and they all agree that the auction barn is probably the last place to go because you never know what you're going to get. Besides the fact that I've never been there (nor would I have the first clue as to how that works), I'd rather get a tried cow, a good mother, good milker, etc. So where do I start? I am in Northwest Iowa and don't think there's anyone in the area with Jerseys - they all have the beef cows or Holsteins...
-Sarah