Jersey Cows Jersey cows are the main breed on Fereday Island. History: As there name implies they were bred on the island of Jersey. They were given there own breed name in the 1700s Some facts about jersey cows: - They tend to be a small cow ranging in size from around 350 to 550 kg. Being a smaller animal they require less maintenance. They will eat less grass and produce less manure for farmers to deal with. Jerseys eat 80% of the intake of Holsteins, but have 75% of the body weight. “Jerseys are able to capture the energy that they eat over and above their body weight, and put itinto milk,” That feed efficiency translates to a lower feed cost per hundredweight of energy corrected milk produced, on average 12 cents less for Jerseys compared to Holsteins. - The milk has a high butter fat content. Therefore has one of the highest quality of milk for human food. To be more accurate 20% more quality protein and 15% more calcium. From this it will yield more cheese and butter up to 30%. 5.6kg Cheddar Cheese from a ton of milk, compared to a Holstein 4.5kg of Cheddar Cheese from a ton of milk. -They are one of the most efficient dairy animals in the world. Cheese makers are left with less white water to dispose of. - Gentle natured animals. - They are the second largest breed of dairy cattle in the world. -They predominantly produce A2 milk. Source: -National Dairy Herd Improvement Association Annual Reports and National All-Jersey Inc. -www.usjersey.com -Campbell McMath