Post by roanhorse on Dec 2, 2011 14:27:24 GMT -5
Hi! I have a question for everyone. Do any of you have specific bulls/or bloodlines that you prefer because they require less grain/do better on pasture?
I have a cow from popular show type lines (Gabby) that can't seem to get enough grain to keep her in good condiiton. She didn't seem to know how to graze the first year we had her, and though she does better now, she just can't seem to keep good condition and she is eating 2x the grain of everyone else + beetpulp, and no she doesn't give any more milk!
My second cow (Gypsie) is a daughter of a cow we purchased from a commercial dairy, she was bred when we bought her, I have no idea of her breeding. She is 'middle of the road', requires some grain but does well with pasture/hay.
My third is a heifer, she is the daughter of a cow that we used to have from a commercial dairy , I'm unsure of her breeding, but she was not an easy keeper. Gracie May is from an AI breeding of that cow to a young son of Iatola x Lendcrest Parading Belle. she freshened in August and has maintained wonderful condition, and is producing a respectable amount of milk on pasture and minimal grain. She also bred back quickly by AI and is expecting a calf next year in June. I want more of these :-)
I would like to find some bulls to choose from, available through AI, that will produce cows like Grace May (the third one). Good type is important to me also because I have kids that have been involved in 4H and will hopefully have grandkids interested in the same! I would like for them to be able to take our jerseys and perform respectably. I have read here on this site that NewZealand genetics are a good choice but how do their type proofs compare with ours?
I have no problem with feeding some grain but the difference in the requirements for these 3 cows is amazing!
Any thoughts?
I have a cow from popular show type lines (Gabby) that can't seem to get enough grain to keep her in good condiiton. She didn't seem to know how to graze the first year we had her, and though she does better now, she just can't seem to keep good condition and she is eating 2x the grain of everyone else + beetpulp, and no she doesn't give any more milk!
My second cow (Gypsie) is a daughter of a cow we purchased from a commercial dairy, she was bred when we bought her, I have no idea of her breeding. She is 'middle of the road', requires some grain but does well with pasture/hay.
My third is a heifer, she is the daughter of a cow that we used to have from a commercial dairy , I'm unsure of her breeding, but she was not an easy keeper. Gracie May is from an AI breeding of that cow to a young son of Iatola x Lendcrest Parading Belle. she freshened in August and has maintained wonderful condition, and is producing a respectable amount of milk on pasture and minimal grain. She also bred back quickly by AI and is expecting a calf next year in June. I want more of these :-)
I would like to find some bulls to choose from, available through AI, that will produce cows like Grace May (the third one). Good type is important to me also because I have kids that have been involved in 4H and will hopefully have grandkids interested in the same! I would like for them to be able to take our jerseys and perform respectably. I have read here on this site that NewZealand genetics are a good choice but how do their type proofs compare with ours?
I have no problem with feeding some grain but the difference in the requirements for these 3 cows is amazing!
Any thoughts?