Breed Advantages

The Jersey breed is a specialist dairy breed. It distinguishes itself by its typical brown colour and black feet. The mature liveweight of Jersey cows is significantly less than that of other breeds. It has higher solids milk content and produces more per kg of liveweight. The following table is a summary of research findings over time from around New Zealand and around the world and includes other observations about the advantages Jerseys offer over other breeds of dairy cattle.

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Factor Jersey Heavy Breed Comment Research Source
Energy to Milk Fat 40% 31% Jerseys produce more milkfat per unit of feed WJCB*
Energy to Lactose 13% 15% Less Lactose also means less volume resulting in less charges for volume under a manufacturing dairy industry. WJCB*
Total Milk Energy 69% 61% A significant difference - 13% WJCB*
Energy to Maintenance 28% 33% Jerseys take less to maintain WJCB*
Energy to Weight Gain 2% 6% Jerseys divert energy to milk rather than carcass size and weight. WJCB*
Ratio of Milk energy to Maintenance 2.46 1.85 33% advantage to Jersey WJCB*
Breed Comparison trials #       NZ Society of Animal Production Vol.52 1992
 # Per ha protein (kgs) 497 489 2% more protein from Jerseys  
 # Per ha Milkfat (kg) 726 641 13% more milkfat from Jerseys  
# Per ha Lactose (kg) 566 646 12% less lactose from Jerseys  
 # Per ha Milk (litres) 12065 14036 14% less milk volume from Jerseys  
Calving Difficulty 2.20% 9.30% An important labour & time saving factor. Cows are more productive from less stress and injury. WJCB*
Still births 1.40% 5% Less Wastage WJCB*
Milking times 4.5mins 5.4mins Fast to milk WJCB* & Jersey New Zealand
Mastitis Incidence 50% Av. 100% Av. Jerseys have approx. ½ as many cases - save on lost production & treatment costs. WJCB*
Culls ex reproductive problems 1.7 3 Less problems with Jerseys WJCB*
Pugging Less More Jerseys are lighter and do less damage Jersey New Zealand
Heat Tolerance More Less Jerseys keep eating in the summer so keep on producing WJCB*
Feet Problems Fewer More Less animal health cost. More suited where long walks are required to and from the dairy Jersey New Zealand
Dry Matter Intake kg/day/100kgLWT 3.3 2.8 Can convert 18% more feed per kg LWT WJCB*
% per hour of passage through rumen 7.1 5.9 Faster processor of DM (20% faster rate). Jerseys better match the seasonal supply of feed - less maintenance required during shortages - can process more DM as it becomes available. Note: Jerseys still digest the DM as efficiently - but can do it faster WJCB*
Rumen Volume Difference/Unit LWT 139% 100% On a unit LWT basis - Jerseys have a 39% greater volume of rumen - 18% greater DM intake and 20% faster passage of DM - yet have same efficiency of digestion (extract energy from DM as efficiently). WJCB*
Ease of Handling Easier Harder Jerseys being smaller are easier to handle in yards and for close up work including drenching - weighing etc. Also minimise injury risks for employees. Jersey New Zealand
Farmers Outlook Relaxed Stressed Jerseys do not move around as much or bellow and fight as much during time of restricted feeding. This is important psychologically for farmers especially during difficult climatic conditions. Jersey New Zealand
Beef: Marbling of Muscle Greater Lesser Jerseys provide marbling of the muscle - a desirable trait in beef production. Massey University
Diabetes Protein Variant Frequency 0.123 0.465 Jerseys have a lower frequency in the population of ß-CN A1 protein variant that can affect certain people causing diabetes. NZ Society of Animal Production Vol 56 1996
Fertility. Pregnancy rate - start of mating to day 21. 0.54 0.47 A greater portion of Jerseys get in calf quicker. NZ Society of Animal Production Vol 56 1996
Fertility: Pregnancy rate-start of mating to day 42 0.79 0.74 A higher percentage of Jerseys get in calf by 42 days NZ Society of Animal Production Vol 56 1996
Fertility - % in ovulation by 50 days (high stocked) 89% 50% Jerseys remain very fertile under high stocked systems Ruakura Farmers Conference 1997
Fertility - % in Oestrus by 50 days (High Stocked) 85% 38% Jerseys are significantly more fertile under high stocked systems Ruakura Farmers Conference 1997
Fertility - Calving to 1st ovulation (days) 46 51 Jerseys ovulate about a week faster after calving. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1997
Fertility - Calving to 1st Oestrus (days) 55 62 Jerseys cycle about a week faster from each calving. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1997
Milking Once A Day Less lost More lost Jerseys are the most tolerant breed to Once a Day Milking systems Dexcel 2003
        * World Jersey Cattle Bureau
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