Question for the Forum

I've noticed on more than on occasion that herds of Fresian Cattle have a couple of Jersey Cows in with them.

I'm guessing there is a reason for this apart from social networking for Moo Moos.

Any ideas?

 

Probably add on's for the dairy herd Zigs .

 

Add on's Gogs?

 

Cross breeding for desired offspring? F1 cows maybe

 

Extra milkers ( cows)

 

Jersey's give a better milk yield that is creamier. In years gone by farmers used to cross breed with the Jersey's to improve the milk yield of other breeds. Could that be it?

 

They may just be visiting for the bank holiday weekend Zigs.........

 

Yikes!!!

 

JWK, that is the best answer by far!

 

The Jersey's give slightly less milk than the Fresian
The Jersey's milk has more buttermilk fat in it, so it's better for cheese/butter etc
At one time farmers went for producing as much milk as they can, but now there is more money in cheese/butter ( there is some exports to china)

Some farmers are now looking at older breeds. The fresian is getting to costly to maintain (alot more input is needed)(F1 car to a old mini, the mini just keeps going)

 

All so Jersey's are cheaper to buy
Fresian £1500 upwards in milk
Jersey's £700 upwards in milk

 

Cheers Everyone, some interesting and amusing replies there

I used to love the channel island gold top milk, all seems to be homogenised now

Dad used to get it for free as he worked at the bottling plant, which was just as well, cos when it came to school milk, one of our mates who had hands all cracked & scabby from exema, used to put his thumb thru the foil tops on all our milk.

Non of us wanted to drink it after that, so he got the lot.