Springing heifers sell higher than fresh cows. The main reason being farmers aren't afraid that they are being sold because the owner for whatever reason was not satisfied with their preformance as a milker.. An Indiana auction sells cows and heifers every week and post the sale prices in a farm paper I get. They only show holstiens selling but the springing heifers brought from $1000 to $1650 last week. They would be half again bigger than a jersey. Fresh Holstien cows brought between $975 and $1435.
If your heifer is a well bred animal with a high producing mother, $1100 would be far from cheap but not beyond reason.
Breaking a heifer to milk could really put your determination to test. If you have not done any hand milking before, it could be beyond your ability to do it. Also some cows are harder to squeeze the milk out of than others. Buying a cow broke to hand milk gives you an oppertunity to milk her before buying her and seeing how hard she milks and how gentle she is while she is being milked. Be sure all 4 teats give as much milk as the teat across from it. Some will milk a little heavier from front as opposed to rear teats, or vice versa. Find out how long she has been bred. A vet can sleeve her and give you a close estimate. Calving and starting milking will be a little easier when the weather get a little warmer..
If your heifer is a well bred animal with a high producing mother, $1100 would be far from cheap but not beyond reason.
Breaking a heifer to milk could really put your determination to test. If you have not done any hand milking before, it could be beyond your ability to do it. Also some cows are harder to squeeze the milk out of than others. Buying a cow broke to hand milk gives you an oppertunity to milk her before buying her and seeing how hard she milks and how gentle she is while she is being milked. Be sure all 4 teats give as much milk as the teat across from it. Some will milk a little heavier from front as opposed to rear teats, or vice versa. Find out how long she has been bred. A vet can sleeve her and give you a close estimate. Calving and starting milking will be a little easier when the weather get a little warmer..