Fall 2007

The Jersey breed has long been the undisputed champion for production of high
percentages of butterfat and protein in a concentrated and nutritious package.
National breed averages for butterfat and protein percentages are 4.9% and 3.8%,
respectively. Having a breed that produces such a high level of fat and protein has
definite advantages, including:
1. Efficiency of production. Many Jersey breeders are finding that they can fill the
same amount of quota with Jerseys as they did with a similar number of Holsteins,
but they can do so with less input cost. The higher fat and protein percentages large-
ly make up for the lower milk volume, so quota can be maintained without addition of
cows. However, these cows require less feed, less labour, and a smaller land base -
all high priced production costs!
Ferme Prs Verts in St-Gabriel de Rimouski, Qubec now milks 14 Jerseys in their
45 cow herd. They are relatively new to the Jersey breed, but after their first two
Jersey purchases are sold on the profitability of milking Jerseys. Luc Deschnes of
Ferme Prs Verts notes that they Jerseys fill the quota at about the same level as the
Holsteins, but require much less feed to do so.
In the same way, Paul Shulman of Embro, Ontario notes that his Jersey herd require
a significantly smaller land base than he would require if milking Holsteins. He esti-
mates he requires significantly less land, as well as less labour and cost in harvesting
and storing feed on farm, and lower purchased feed costs. These mean big savings
for this 90 head dairy herd in the heart of Ontario dairy country.
2. No problems with SNF Ratios. With enforced ratios of Solids Non Fat to Fat
across Canada now in effect, it is prudent for dairy producers to ensure that they are
producing within the ratio caps set in their province, as non-fat solids produced above
the ratio cap will not be paid for. While changes to feed composition and schedule
can help to a certain degree, there is no more immediate or effective way to bring your
herd SNF/F ratio down: Jerseys! Breed average SNF/F ratio for Jerseys is 1.97, com-
fortably below benchmarks set by any province in Canada. By adding cows to your
herd which can regularly test in excess of 5% fat, this can make an immediate impact
on your herd SNF, and ensure that you arent losing income to over production of pro-
tein and other solids. In fact, some provinces are financially rewarding producers that
are substantially below ratio targets - even more incentive to comply!
3. Milk price. With most provinces making the necessary changes to milk pricing
to help reduce the over-supply of non-fat milk solids, the price for fat has risen above
the price for protein. For Ontario in May 2007, the average price per hectolitre for
Jersey milk at breed average was $84.15, compared with $70.34 for the industry
average. It is worth noting that this $84 milk is sufficiently below SNF/F ratios in all 10
Canadian provinces, meaning no loss of revenue from milk.
4. The benefits of a concentrated product. As Jerseys produce a more concen-
trated product with more fat and protein per litre of milk, there isnt the need to pro-
duce as high of volume of milk in litres. This can have its benefits. For one, on-farm
bulk tanks for new or expanding operations may not have to be as large, saving equip-
ment cost. Perhaps more important are the cost savings from transportation. As
transportation cost is charged per hectolitre, it makes sense to ship a product that is
more concentrated. Given that transportation costs will likely continue to rise to
reflect the cost of fuel, this becomes an important consideration when examining your
monthly milk cheque.
Jerseys - The Component Queen!
On the cover:
Pictured on the cover is Jersey
Canadas new True-Type Model Cow.
Models are available from purchase
from Jersey Canada.
Jerseys require sig-
nificantly less land, as
well as less labour and
cost in harvesting and
storing feed on farm
- Paul Shulman
Embro, ON
The high component milk produced
by Canadian Jerseys is highly valued
for production of a variety of dairy
products, including some specialty
Jersey cheeses.
One of the most common questions from producers interested in introducing
Jerseys to their herd is how well do they co-exist with larger breeds? Well, the ver-
dict is in - no problem! Whether you have a tie-stall, free-stall, or loose housing oper-
ation, Jerseys should thrive in any housing arrangement with cows of other breeds.
The Mueller family of Roswitha Holsteins and Jerseys of Steinbach, Manitoba
note that the Jerseys and Holsteins mix very well together, requiring no special
treatment for the Jerseys in comparison to the Holsteins. In fact, Friedel Mueller
notes that when we started with Jerseys, we thought that we should sort the heifers
by size rather than by age, so the Jerseys wouldnt be bullied by the Holsteins.
However, we quickly found out that the Jerseys were not only holding their own, but
were pushing around the younger Holstein heifers, and therefore we went back to
sorting by age. The Muellers also note that the Jerseys are always the first into the
parlour, and have been very easy to integrate into the operation. Future plans are to
increase the Jersey population to 50% of the milking herd, currently numbering 180
head.
Of course, one of the most important times in the daily life of a dairy cow is the
time spent eating. Here again, Jerseys regularly show no competitive disadvantage
when it comes to feeding time. Dick Friesen of Marksview Farms in Warman,
Saskatchewan relates that when first introducing Jerseys to their existing Holstein
herd, we were concerned that the Jerseys might have a problem competing with the
Holsteins for room at the feed bunk, but this hasnt been a problem whatsoever. The
Jerseys are aggressive feeders in our free-stall barn, while being quiet and well tem-
pered cows. While we are going to keep milking Holsteins, we would like to move to
about 50% Jerseys.
The Jerseys at Ferme Lmeric in Warwick, Quebec are milked with a robot sys-
tem. Herd owner ric Lemay notes that he is very satisfied with the Jerseys since
their arrival. Their curious nature has allowed them to easily adapt to the robots, with
the Jerseys tending to go through the robot more often than the Holsteins. He also
comments that while they are quiet, docile cows, they are aggressive at the manger!
They cohabitate very well with the Holsteins, and finds them an extremely mobile
cow, with an impressive lack of feet and leg problems!
Introducing Jerseys to a tie-stall housing environment is likewise simple, and due
to the breeds smaller size, may help solve headaches facing many producers who
have cows that are much too large for their existing stalls. With older barns, it may
be quite expensive to renovate the barn to accommodate larger cows. It may be sim-
pler and less expensive to look at a smaller breed such as the Jersey that still pro-
duces a high return, but decreases the need for barn renovation.
At Ferme Andeline in St. Nazaire de Buckland, Quebec, Stephane Filion and Diane
Blanger found that they had small stalls that were proving to be too small for
Holsteins. So, they tried Jerseys, and it has proved to be a good choice! They note
that they were able to avoid expensive renovations, while making our small stalls
more profitable!
Jerseys also excel in pasture-based production systems! According to Frank and
Boni Datema of Valtallina Jerseys in Aldergrove, British Columbia, they have found
that Jerseys are very efficient grazers, even on our marginal land! We try to have our
cattle on grass for at least six months of the year. The Jersey's smaller size means
that they do less damage to our fields and their good feet and legs mean that they
can cover a lot of varied terrain easily. Provided that there is a good supply of water
and a few trees for shade, it has been our experience that the Jerseys are not both-
ered by being out in temperatures well above 30 degrees Celsius.
Jerseys - The Right Fit!
The Jerseys are
quiet, docile cows,
but they are aggres-
sive at the manger!
- ric Lemay
Warwick, QC
Adding Jerseys made
our small stalls more
profitable, and avoid-
ed expensive renova-
tions!
- Stephane Filion
Nazaire-de Buckland, QC
Holsteins and Jerseys co-exist on a
wide variety of Canadian dairy farms.
Whether tie-stall or free-stall - Jerseys
fit right in!
While Jerseys are noted for their
docile nature, they are equally aggres-
sive at the feedbunk! Jerseys have no
disadvantage to other breeds when it
comes to finding the feedbunk!
JERSEYS EXCEL AT REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY!
Maintaining a high level of reproductive efficiency is essential on any dairy farm,
as it minimizes time that cows arent in production, and likewise minimizes cost on
semen, insemination costs, animal health issues, and labour. In this vein, there are
many ways that Jerseys show advantages in reproductive efficiency.
At an average of 1.8 breedings per cow, the Jersey breed has the lowest value
for this trait of the major dairy breeds in Canada. This means fewer days out of pro-
duction, and less wasted semen and insemination costs. Recent figures from the
Canadian Dairy Network note that the 56 day Non-Return Rate for Jersey cows is
68%, 7% higher than industry average, giving credence to the fact that Jersey cows
catch to earlier breedings, and require fewer re-breedings.
Mario Leblanc of Ferme Fermar in Ste-Monique, Quebec notes that they maintain
an average of 1.41 breedings per cowin their Jersey herd, which is significantly lower
than the 1.80 breedings per cow average in his local management group of primarily
Holstein herds. This means less days dry and lower breeding costs!
The average age at first service for Canadian Jerseys is 15.5 months, almost an
entire month less than the industry average. This amounts to one less month feed-
ing an animal before it enters its productive life. With a 1999 study from Virginia Tech
estimating that each month in excess of 24 months at calving having a cost to the pro-
ducer of $55 per animal, this is significant. For a 60 cow herd calving 30 heifers per
year, that equates to savings of $1650 per year for just shaving a month off of average
calving age! Also, heifers bred at 14-17 months are at the most fertile months of their
lives, and should catch to the first breeding more often than heifers bred a few months
later. Therefore, the earlier maturing Jersey heifer should help to get your herd pro-
ducing earlier and returning profit from investment in their first two years of life!
JERSEYS DEFINE LONGEVITY!
Study after study in the North American dairy industry clearly shows that the
Jersey breed has a distinct advantage in length of productive life. For instance, a
USDA study recently showed American Jerseys as lasting 0.59 lactations longer than
Holsteins (2.87 lactations to 2.28). In a similar fashion, data from the Canadian Dairy
Network pegs Jerseys as having an average productive life of 3.61 years, notably
higher than Holsteins at 3.08 years. The same difference is seen in age at culling, with
Jerseys at 6.22 years compared to 5.63 for Holsteins.
Why is this advantage in productive life important? It means that cows will have
more days in mature productive form, when a dairy cow is in the best condition to
produce return on the investment of raising or purchasing her. It also decreases the
need for replacement animals just to maintain herd numbers, allowing for flexibility to
grow herd size internally or have replacement animals available for sale.
The Anderlini and Datema families of Valtallina Jerseys note that longevity has
always been one of our herd goals. Due to the high cost of raising or replacing cat-
tle, the first year of production for most animals just pays for the animal. It is the addi-
tional years that bring the profit. We have found that we profit the most when we have
a high percentage of animals that continue to produce at or above herd average for
ten or more lactations. This has not been hard to achieve with Jerseys. We simply
focus on developing animals with strong feet and legs and udders that will last over
time. In fact, of the animals not sold for dairy purposes, very few of our cattle are
sold or culled before five or more lactations. As a herd that has been in existence for
over 50 years, this is a testament to the durability of the Jersey cow.
Jerseys - The Problem-Free Cow!
In fact, of the animals
not sold for dairy pur-
poses, very few of our
cattle are sold or
culled before five or
more lactations.
- Valtallina Jerseys,
Aldergrove, BC
We maintain an aver-
age of 1.41 breedings
per cow ,
- Mario Leblanc,
Ste-Monique, QC
These Jersey heifers will be ready to
breed more quickly than heifers of
other breeds, meaning less time
before you get return on your invest-
ment in raising your heifers!
A fine example of Jersey longevity is
Valtallina Marino Fancy EX-90-2E.
She has completed 9 lactations with
lifetime production in excess of
87,000 kgs of milk. Here she is pic-
tured this year at 13 years of age!
BETTER WAYS TO SPEND TIME THAN PULLING CALVES!
A study from USDA in 2005 showed Jerseys in the United States to show almost
a 20% superiority in the number of easy calvings (with very low incidence of very dif-
ficult calvings) than other, larger dairy breeds evaluated in the same study, regardless
of lactation. Likewise, figures from the Canadian Dairy Network in 2005 show first lac-
tation Canadian Jerseys to have 96% unassisted or easy pull calvings, while cows in
subsequent lactations have 99% unassisted or easy pull calvings. It is very easy to
see that calving Jerseys can involve a lot less labour time, and produce more healthy
calves and healthy cows free of dystocia. With a 1994 study from the University of
Guelph estimating that a hard pull can cost approximately $150 more on average than
an easy pull, and with a surgery costing on average up to $535 more than an easy pull,
the financial aspects of calving ease are easy to envision!
According to Adrian and Vreni Haeni of Lone Pine Jerseys, milking over 100 cows
in Didsbury, Alberta, they say that in our minds, Jerseys, fertility, and calving ease go
together like three peas in a pod. Over the past few years, we have had a calf survival
rate of 98.5%, with the large majority being unassisted calvings. Calving ease and fer-
tility are guaranteed on our farm, because we have Jerseys!
HERD HEALTH AND WORKABILITY
Having a herd of healthy cows ensures having a herd of productive cows! As well,
a reduction in associated veterinary costs can have a definite impact on the bottom
line of any size of dairy operation. Jerseys have repeatedly proven to be easy-keep-
ing cows, with fewer acute and chronic health conditions, and therefore requiring
fewer veterinary input costs. For instance, a 2002 DRMS report from the United States
showed Jerseys to have a much lower rate of involuntary culling (24%) than
Holsteins (31%) in the same production environment. Another study from Florida
dairies showed Jersey heifers to have less indicidences of dystocia, metritis, and still-
births than Holstein heifers in the same production environment.
Ferme Fermar of Ste-Monique, Quebec is the only Jersey herd in their local man-
agement group, but have the top results in the group for low veterinary costs. Their
average cost per cow is $80.56 per cow per year, compared to a group average of
$206.03 per cow per year, a difference of $125.47! For an average 60 cow herd, that
would equate to savings of over $7500 per year in reduced costs! Herd owner Mario
Leblanc also notes that their female relief milker greatly appreciates the docile and
quiet nature of the cattle, making them easy to handle. Mario say that we are very
satisfied with our decision to switch to Jerseys!
Alain and Janna Rmond of Grunthal, Manitoba switched to the Jersey breed a
few years ago, and now milk approximately 80 cows in a free-stall herd. They have
been particularly impressed with the breeds exceptionally strong feet and legs, with
hard, black hooves that result in almost no hoof problems in the herd. Alain notes
that we have found the Jerseys to be tough, hardy cows. When they do get sick, they
tend to also recover quickly.
At Ferme Apido, Pierre Bernard notes that he has no regrets in adding Jerseys to
their herd. In spite of the transition of moving the cows to free-stall housing, the
Jerseys have quickly adapted to their new environment. But the biggest advantages
of adding Jerseys to the herd in the eyes of the owners has been an absence of health
problems, a high level of feet and leg strength, and ease of calving. Our only regret
is not opting for Jerseys earlier, notes Pierre.
Our only regret is not
opting for Jerseys
earlier,
- Pierre Bernard,
Laurierville, QC
We have had a calf
survival rate of 98.5%,
with the large majori-
ty being unassisted
calvings
- Adrian Haeni,
Didsbury, AB
The extremely high rates of calving
ease that are normal in the Jersey
breed will mean more live heifer
calves in your hutches, and fewer
problems with your fresh cows!
Jerseys are easy to handle for the
whole family, due to their quiet nature
and small size!
One of the best ways to add Jerseys to an existing dairy herd is through the use of Jersey embryos. There are
many reasons why introducing Jerseys through embryo transfer might be advantageous to your herd:
Cost. Purchasing embryos from animals of high genetic merit is often less expensive than buying live animals of
the same level of genetic merit. Many breeders have opted to purchase a few choice brood cows to flush multiple
times, and have formed the foundation of their herds from this beginning!
Higher Genetic Merit. If your goal is to build a herd of Jerseys with strong production and type traits, it will most
likely be easier to source these genetics through embryos from high-calibre sires and dams than through purchase of
an average group of heifers. While this process may take a little longer to establish the herd, the quality of the herd
will most likely benefit from this investment of time, yielding cows from strong pedigrees with the will to produce and
make money for your operation.
Biosecurity. Implantation of Jersey embryos in some of the cows in your existing herd is markedly less likely to
transmit communicable diseases such as Johnes, Leukosis, Neospora and others when compared to introducing live
animals from numerous herds. This minimizes the chance that you may introduce diseases into your herd which may
limit production, increase veterinary costs, and limit your ability to merchandize breeding stock.
Calving Ease of Recipients. Implanting Jersey embryos into larger breed recipients in your existing herd should
serve to improve calving ease, and decrease the number of post-partum disorders in your herd such as metritis and
dystocia. In this way, production from these recipients will tend to be higher, especially in first lactation animals.
There are several producers new to the Jersey breed who are using Jersey embryos to a great extent. Luc
Deschnes of Ferme Prs Verts, St-Gabriel de Rimouski, Quebec notes that they use Jersey embryos in a large pro-
portion of their Holstein heifers to avoid calving difficulties. This yields for Jerseys, as well as allows those Holstein
heifers to avoid dystocia problems, therefore making them more productive on average. Likewise, the Muellers of
Roswitha Farms in Steinbach, Manitoba comment that several of their first Jersey purchases have been made into
brood cows which they are flushing with good success. They then implant most of their Holstein heifers and older
cows with Jersey embryos. This has dual benefit of letting them grow their Jersey herd from within, but also ensur-
ing that the Holstein half of their herd is more productive due to fewer problems in delivering a calf.
At Jersey du Fjord in Ville de La Baie, Quebec, Pierre Girard and Alain and Richard Bdard have chosen to build
their Jersey herd almost entirely from embryos collected from a few top brood cows. In this way, they hope to build
a strong, balanced herd of top quality individ-
uals by sourcing some of the top genetics in
the breed, and then implanting the embyros
in an ample supply of other breed recipients.
If you are interesting in sourcing Jersey
embryos, Jersey Canada and Jersey Ontario
maintain a list nation-wide list of available
Jersey embryos to meet all needs. To view
the list, please visit the Jersey Ontario web-
site at:
www.jerseyontario.com
Adding Jerseys Through Embryo Transfer!
If you would like additional information on the Jersey breed, on where to source Jersey genetics, or how to regis-
ter or transfer Jerseys that you may already have, talk to us! We can help in a variety of ways!
Would you like to know more?
Jersey Canada DVD. We have a free promotional DVD available, featuring commentary from
many dairy producers who have opted to add Jerseys to their herd. The DVD is available in
both English and French, so just phone, fax, or email us today to request your copy!
Field Services. If you are interested in a visit to answer any questions you may have, feel free
to contact us. We have field service representatives that can meet with you and provide
answers on anything Jersey-related. Field service representatives visit breeders all across
Canada, so contact us to get on the list! Call us at (519) 821-1020!
Jersey Canada Website. Be sure to check out our website at www.jerseycanada.com. Here,
we have a great deal of additional information on the breed, access to our online registry
database, information on recent Jersey news, upcoming events, online editions of the
Canadian Jersey Breeder Magazine, and much more! Log on today!
Canadian Jersey Breeder Magazine. To keep in touch with everything going on in the Jersey
breed in Canada and around the world, be sure to get a subscription to the Canadian Jersey
Breeder, our magazine printed six times per year. Membership to Jersey Canada includes a
subscription to the Breeder, and both print and online subscriptions are available for non-
members. For rates and subscription forms, please consult the Breeder page on our website.
Lencrest Parading Belle VG-87-2yr # 3 LPI +2605 (May 07)
3-10 proj. 9881M 479F 4.9% 342P 3.5% BCA: 312-278-285
2-2 305d. 8157M 362F 4.4% 310P 3.8% BCA: 329-266-330
Full sister to Lencrest Blackstone at Semex
Son by Iatola sold to Semex
Daughter by Senior sells in the Royal Sale of Stars in November!
Her dam: Piedmont Declo Belle EX-94 #2 LPI +3100 (May 07)
5-3 305d. 11,238M 548F 4.9% 433P 3.9% BCA: 347-311-352
Declo Belle has six sons in AI.
Herd Classification: 14 EX 24 VG 10 GP Cattle and Embryos always available!
Gary and Maureen Bowers
1530 Chemin May, Coaticook, QC J1A 2S4
Tel: (819) 849-3196 Cell: (819) 820-4029
Fax: (819) 849-4799 lencrest@abacom.com
www.jerseycanada.com/lencrest
AVONLEA GENETICS - YOUR EMBRYO SOURCE!
Here at Avonlea, we always have a large quantity of grade A embyros from deep pedigreed cows available!
Our philosophy of balanced breeding with matings to the top bulls in the breed has resulted in embryo sales to 10 countries.
AVONLEA JADE KANDY EX-90
4-1 305d. 8130M 402F 4.94% 320P 3.94%
BCA: 263-236-274
Son in Semex Young Sire Program
Backed by 10 Generations of VG or EX dams
AVONLEA RAIN KORA EX-93
4-8 290d. 7693M 405F 5.26% 276P 3.59%
BCA: 243-234-230
All Canadian Senior Three Year Old 2005
Backed by 10 Generations of VG or EX dams
AVONLEA PERIMITER KARIN EX-90-2E
3-11 305d. 8577M 402F 4.82% 326P 3.94%
BCA: 269-236-269
Backed by 9 Generations of VG or EX dams
AVONLEA GENETICS INC.
1925 County Rd 26, Brighton, ON K0K 1H0
Ph: (613) 475-2627 Fax: (613) 475-2623
avonlea@on.aibn.com | www.cyr-designs.com/avonlea
Jim & Liz Livock | Andrew & Jennifer, Taylor and Will Vander Meulen