tncattle
Well-known member
simangus23":2begeiil said:dear New To Dairy-----
I currently run 400 Jersey's and getting into the dairy business is quite an investment these days. It can be done and the type of cattle you run is solely a personal choice as far as I am concerned. I like Jersey because they are smaller framed cows eat less and they are much cheaper to feed than your avg Holstein. JMS would be the best place for you to get info about becoming a dairyman if indeed Jersey's were your cup of tea. Equipment is expensive cattle care is forever ongoing and you never ever get a day off, unless you have someone to give you some relief. For 400 dairy cows/ currently milking about 260 I have 1 hired man. We work constantly and never seem to get done-- like now I am in the parlor and milking will begin in 15 minutes. Long days longer nights and we farm too and have 700 head of beef cows. I do have 4 more guys that do that work. I am biased I guess, but really think Beef cattle are pretty simple compared to dairy cattle as the investment of your time is much less.
If all we had to do is milk and feed it would be ok, but with calves to raise and heifers to grow out time is just not on our side.
I can tell ya this much--- there are many dairymen like me that are willing to pay someone to raise heifers from about 5 months to freshening. That could help you get into the business too if you have the time. Just a thought.
Sim
Thanks for the reply. I have often thought that about Jerseys also, they probably don't eat as much as Holsteins but then probably don't produce as much either. Although they usually produce a higher fat content, right? Can that offset the lack of volume that you would normally get from a Holstein in dollars? What is JMS? Obviously something to do with Jersey cows. When you say "raise heifers from about 5 months to freshening" what age is freshening and what all does that involve besides caring for and feeding them?