Is that good? Average? What does that info mean to you?cowmilker":1k02nwz4 said:Dam's milking record:
0705= age at time of test, 7 yrs, 5 mos.
2x 305d= for this test record, she was milked twice daily for 305 days to get the following numbers.
Total of 20,750 lbs of milk containing 1364 lbs fat and 790 lbs protein.
Thanks for the info, also, where do I get this bulls semen?cow pollinater":2852c4br said:My pick would be either Iatola or Legal. Iatola has a little better component percentages(components=fat/protien). His milk is negative but it would still be way more than enough for your needs. His DPR(Daughter Pregnancy Rate) is above average and his SCC(somatic cell count) is below average so they should be reletivly trouble free... You'll likely still run into mastitis but genetically speaking you should have less of it. Type wise Iatola is about as close as you'll get to being a one generation fix. They are really good cattle and have the added benefit of long teats which is a big plus on jerseys.
Legal is pretty similar on all of the above but he's gotmore milk and a little lower component %'s. I haven't been around as many of them but they're suposed to be really fancy cattle.
As far as disposition, I've never really noticed alot of problems with any jerseys. They can be QUIRKY as all get out but I've really never been around any that were mean. The cow we had as a family milk cow was an Iatola... Full of quirks like being scared of the feed scoop but then she'd walk up and lick it the next time she saw it... Never mean, just strange. I do think the Danish cattle are a little less quirky overall so the advantage might go to Legal on that as he's a Lemvig son and Iatola is straight US bred. I walk around five thousand head of jerseys every day from all different sires and I get kicked maybe twice a month so I'd have to say they can all be gentle once they get used to the routine.
Thanks for the offer, I won't be ready for a little while. It will be June before all3 are yearlings.cow pollinater":fh6kdc3v said:Gotta love jerseys. :lol2: Always playing with something or licking something. There used to be a dog that lived across the street from my big customers dairy that would walk out into the pen and roll over and fall asleep with a hundred cows licking his belly. They never got tired of that daily ritual and neither did the dog. :lol:
You can call 1-800- ABS-STUD to order the semen or get in touch with a rep in your area which I can help you find if you'd like. Iatola may be on backorder for a week or two since some dummy out in California just tried to order two thousand units and they had to fill part of the order with another bull... If you have to have it right away let me know and I'll tell them to cancel some of my order and fill with something else. Otherwise he should be available within the next month.
I just found out there's a guy about 50 miles north of me that is handling NZ Jersey AI sire semen. What would you recommend for the heifers from NZ sires? Hopefully he will have that or can get semen should I decide on your countries sires.regolith":1rs0ruac said:ordering well in advance is a good idea. I ended up in the same sitation in 09, the rep ended up reccomending another bull because, well, if you've got a six week AI season and an imported bull gets held up by paperwork... he ends up in storage for next year.
cp, I think the way you guys handle dairy cows over there make a big difference to the disposition. My herd is extremely placid for NZ conditions and I know there's some bulls whose daughters will give me a hard time when they first calve... and to me that's unacceptable because I don't have time to baby one heifer while she's getting used to the milking routine.
Thanks, I'll have to see what this guy has in his tank. I do prefer the smaller/old time Jersey but do need abilty to perform in Northern Missouri. It's good to know what to stay away from as it is to know what to use.regolith":2jousv6l said:I can only honestly recommend bulls I've used myself, and of those Hermann's Red Ribbon - I love those girls, they're larger framed, decent udders and seem to get better every year - and Hawthorn Grove Zeus with the qualification that my good Zeus heifers (they are 2 years old this year, the RRs are 3 and 4 years) are crossbreds and the one pure Jersey I had was a little too frail for my liking. He is a very small-statured, neat uddered bull.
The heifer I posted in the 'baby bulls' thread the other day is sired by Tahau Northern Lights, I think I've got two to calve for the first time next year. I'm hoping he will be good, proof again shows him very small statured, neat udders and good temperament.
I can let you know my what I think of their current 'production and type' NZ proof if you're loooking at any other bulls from Ambreed or LIC. So far as temperament and adaptability goes I avoid anything with a minus score and prefer to pick from bulls that are 0.2 or over. For udders, as high as possible, minimum about .4. Red Ribbon and Zeus both have scores 0.9 or over. Avoid Manhatten if you can (yes, he's a good bull but not consistent and there are genetic issues) most of his sons have OM or Man as their middle name, Okura Lika Murmur is one to watch for the future, still young but his proof is strong in most areas.
What would you consider as a good price? Hopefully I can get sexed semen for females.cow pollinater":i0q2rqw6 said:Honestly, for what you want them to do for you, NZ genetics may well be a really good choice if you have easy access to it and the price is right. They are promoting cattle that eat grass and turn it into milk and everything I've mentioned is proven on modern dairies feeding TMR(total mixed ration). That would also make your genetic decisions easier in future generations as outcrossing would be really easy using popular US genetics.