Holstein or Holstein Cross ?

[Zamis]

I am getting a second and possibly third dairy cow to raise calves on. My Jersey raised two auction heifers last year with her extra milk and I actually made a little money when I sold them. So I contacted the dairy I bought theJersey from and am awaiting a Jersey heifer calf, but now I'm considering maybe a cow that might raise three calves at a time, like a Holstein, would be more productive for me. That dairy has Jerseys and Jerseys crossed with Holstein or Brown Swiss. But a buyer can find a purebred Holstein for me. I wouldn't need her milk at all, just one of me here now and eventually maybe my extended family moving across the road will want a gallon a couple times a week but one Jersey can provide that easily. Certainly don't want to go over my head, like I said I don't need the milk, it is only for raising calves. I will probably get a machine milker to be safe and give the milk to my pigs. Not looking for a huge producer actually a small producing Holstein like 6 gallon/day avg. such as is unwanted at Dairies would be better. What do ya'll think? Too big to keep over winter?

[BoumaticDuck]

I have a nice holstein/jersey cross and she is very milky. lets down well and gives about 60lbs per day and thats good for my herd. I would think you would like to consider a jersey again. Remember she is going to eat a lot less than a holstein, and still give a fair amount not to mention the bf. I have holsteins and jerseys and shorthorns but I seem to like my jerseys more and more eveyday. Up to you though, thats just my opinion. ;)

[Zamis]

Thank you BoumaticDuck (very interesting name, btw). I LOVE my Jersey. She is perfect in everyway... almost :) and it was her Jersiness self that got me thinking that I could expand and maybe raise calves on dairy cows. I appreciate you reminding me of that :)

[JK870]

If your goal is to raise calves on her , a jersey or jersey X may be easier to handle than a large holstein if she decides she doesn't want a calf that isn't hers.

[Zamis]

That's a very good point JK870. Anyone know how maternal Holsteins are? I had no problem putting the auction calves on my Jersey. Actually all I did was let them go in with her when she was penned. She smelled them and they were so hungry (nearly broke my heart to see how starved they were after the day at the auction) they just went at it and she stood there. They were hers from then on. That was why I wanted to bottle raise the heifer dairy calves to begin with to ensure tameness and trust. I think of numbers and production when I think Holstein, more calves on her means more production but I wasn't thinking that perhaps some breeds are better than others for this type of nanny work. What say ya'll?

[FayeFarms]

I don't think the maternal instinct has too much to do with the breed as a whole. I've had all sorts of breeds through the years and some are good mothers and some aren't. It just depends on the particular cow. For sure I wouldn't recommend a heifer for the job. A heifer would be too jumpy and freak out at the site of three calves coming at her for lunch. An older experienced cow would be better. If you want to be able to raise 3 or 4 calves on a cow I don't see why a Holstein wouldn't work.

Heather

[Zamis]

Wow, four calves, what a sight, eh? :) Thanks Heather. So you don't think a bottle raised heifer started immeidately with, maybe not 4 but one additional calf or two that first year wouldn't take to it more naturally than an older cow? Karma was a first timer but her calf was taken away at the dairy. She loves on everyone. I thnk it is in her blood to be that way. I hope my very positive experience with her hasn't blinded me to potential problems.

[milkmaid]

I don't think the maternal instinct has too much to do with the breed as a whole. I've had all sorts of breeds through the years and some are good mothers and some aren't. It just depends on the particular cow. For sure I wouldn't recommend a heifer for the job. A heifer would be too jumpy and freak out at the site of three calves coming at her for lunch. An older experienced cow would be better. If you want to be able to raise 3 or 4 calves on a cow I don't see why a Holstein wouldn't work.

Heather

Well said.

Now - Zamis - IMO you'd be a lot better off to stick with a Jersey as a lower producer. I do run holstein nurse cows, and lately it seems I've had to send my fresh cows to the dairy (where I work) for a few months, as they're just producing WAY too much milk for even a full set of 4 calves.

I have some cows that are really good about accepting calves, and then some.... like one girl I'm grafting 4 on right now ...that are absolutely awful. :rolleyes:

Here's one nurse cow with four...
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-11/897828/cow107w4calves.JPG

And yes, Holsteins can be big and Jerseys are much easier to muscle around (watched three big guys at a dairy corner and hold a Jersey fresh cow in place so my vet could operate on an LDA - could not do that with a holstein! LOL). I don't mind working around the big cows but to each his own. I have one here that tops out at 1800lbs, although my favorite size is closer to 1400lbs.

[milkmaid]

I hope my very positive experience with her hasn't blinded me to potential problems.

It probably has...no offense intended, of course! :D :p

The first nurse cow I had was alot like yours - instantly accepted every calf. Next cow I picked up I thought would be pretty easy too....oh did I ever have a lot to learn! LOL! Good thing the calves I was putting on her were nearly a month old and had already BEEN on a nurse cow, because if I'd had to teach a bunch of week-olds how to drink it never would have worked.

[Zamis]

Thanks MM! :) What a great photograph :) I'm so excited that I've met someone already doing what I'd like to do- and for 9 years! I was worried about the super-production of a Holstein, especially when the calves are young. If she didn't accept them or I couldn't come up with four calves right off the bat, I would be getting a lot of milk that I can't use. My pigs love it but not that much and I would be spending a lot of time milking :eek: This thread and everyone's input has allowed me to decided satisfactorily on remaining with Jerseys. I could have probably raised another two calves on Karma had I not dried her up before confirming her gestation length :rolleyes: Jersey production is its own right is nothing to sneeze at. Thanks (would like to insert another smiley but I reached my limit on Smileys???? How can anyone reach a limit on smileys?????