Re: Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

December 12, 2004

Jody,

I agree with your assessment of the breeds, unfortunately, the better

grass breeds you mention are the least common on US farms. The grass

farmers looking to raise grass fed beef or milk are looking/using the other

breeds (Devon, British White, Murrey Grey, etc). Trying to find some of

these breeds for sale to build a herd is not easy/inexpensive. You have to

start somewhere, so we are raising Jersey for beef (it is one of the most

tender breeds) for now, since that is what we can get and they graze

well. Over the next several years we plan to build a grass based beef herd

starting with some of the common beef breeds (red angus, hereford, ect.)

and breeding in the NZ Red Devon grass genetics.

For milk I have heard that the Normande do very well on grass only and

actually have a higher butterfat than Jersey.

--Mike

December 13, 2004

I have wanted to get some ayrshire

milkers, but have not been able to locate any that were not bred larger, and

towards conventional production.

www.MajestyFarm.com

It must be obvious that liberty

necessarily means freedom to choose foolishly as well as wisely; freedom to

choose evil as well as good; freedom to enjoy the rewards of good judgment, and

freedom to suffer the penalties of bad judgment. If this is not true, the word

" freedom " has no meaning. – Ben

Moreell

From:

cedarvalleysustainable

Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004

7:11 AM

To: RawDairy

Subject: Best Breeds

for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

Traditional dairy breeds:

Ayrshire - They com from southwestern Scotland where

it's cold and

damp, with relatively little forage. Selected for

hardiness, and

excellent grazing ability.

Brown Swiss - Developed on the mountain slopes of Switzerland.

They

grazed from the foot of the mountain in the spring

to the highest

slopes in the summer. Raised on this terrain,

hardy animals were

selected for their grazing ability. In the winter

they got hay, and

were often supplemented with swedes, beets, and

turnips.

Dual purpose breeds -

Devon, Red Poll, Milking shorthorn: Grazing ability and the beef

quality was selected for along with milking

ability.

Breeds requiring the highest level of management

and qualitiy of

forage to be 100% grass fed:

Guernsey and Jersey: Both breeds were developed on

Channel Islands

between France

and England

noted for luxuriant pastures. Because of

this abundant high quality forage, selection was

not based on grazing

ability but rather cows were selected for the

large amounts of milkfat

they produced. Butter was the major product on

these islands.

I know that a lot of folks on this list prefer the

higher milkfat of

Jerseys and Guernseys;

but they require the highest levels of

management and forage quality in order to thrive

in a pasture only

system. Those looking to get into grass based

dairying might consider

some of these other breeds, too. Consumers looking

for 100% grassfed

milk might think about breed origins, too.

I'm a big fan of the Brown Swiss breed; but for

some folks they're

just too big. I like them because they're beefy

and gentle.

Hope this helps.

Jody Osmund

Cedar Valley Sustainable

FarmNorthern Illinois

PLEASE BE

KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of

information!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

December 13, 2004

What size are they? I thought Ayshires were big.

K.C.

RE: Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

I have wanted to get some ayrshire milkers, but have not been able to locate any that were not bred larger, and towards conventional production.

www.MajestyFarm.com

It must be obvious that liberty necessarily means freedom to choose foolishly as well as wisely; freedom to choose evil as well as good; freedom to enjoy the rewards of good judgment, and freedom to suffer the penalties of bad judgment. If this is not true, the word "freedom" has no meaning. – Ben Moreell

From: cedarvalleysustainable Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 7:11 AMTo: RawDairy Subject: Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

Traditional dairy breeds:Ayrshire - They com from southwestern Scotland where it's cold anddamp, with relatively little forage. Selected for hardiness, andexcellent grazing ability.Brown Swiss - Developed on the mountain slopes of Switzerland. Theygrazed from the foot of the mountain in the spring to the highestslopes in the summer. Raised on this terrain, hardy animals wereselected for their grazing ability. In the winter they got hay, andwere often supplemented with swedes, beets, and turnips.Dual purpose breeds -Devon, Red Poll, Milking shorthorn: Grazing ability and the beefquality was selected for along with milking ability.Breeds requiring the highest level of management and qualitiy offorage to be 100% grass fed:Guernsey and Jersey: Both breeds were developed on Channel Islandsbetween France and England noted for luxuriant pastures. Because ofthis abundant high quality forage, selection was not based on grazingability but rather cows were selected for the large amounts of milkfatthey produced. Butter was the major product on these islands.I know that a lot of folks on this list prefer the higher milkfat ofJerseys and Guernseys; but they require the highest levels ofmanagement and forage quality in order to thrive in a pasture onlysystem. Those looking to get into grass based dairying might considersome of these other breeds, too. Consumers looking for 100% grassfedmilk might think about breed origins, too.I'm a big fan of the Brown Swiss breed; but for some folks they'rejust too big. I like them because they're beefy and gentle.Hope this helps.Jody Osmund Cedar Valley Sustainable FarmNorthern IllinoisPLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/PLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

December 13, 2004

What size are they? I thought Ayshires were big.

K.C.

RE: Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

I have wanted to get some ayrshire milkers, but have not been able to locate any that were not bred larger, and towards conventional production.

www.MajestyFarm.com

It must be obvious that liberty necessarily means freedom to choose foolishly as well as wisely; freedom to choose evil as well as good; freedom to enjoy the rewards of good judgment, and freedom to suffer the penalties of bad judgment. If this is not true, the word "freedom" has no meaning. – Ben Moreell

From: cedarvalleysustainable Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 7:11 AMTo: RawDairy Subject: Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

Traditional dairy breeds:Ayrshire - They com from southwestern Scotland where it's cold anddamp, with relatively little forage. Selected for hardiness, andexcellent grazing ability.Brown Swiss - Developed on the mountain slopes of Switzerland. Theygrazed from the foot of the mountain in the spring to the highestslopes in the summer. Raised on this terrain, hardy animals wereselected for their grazing ability. In the winter they got hay, andwere often supplemented with swedes, beets, and turnips.Dual purpose breeds -Devon, Red Poll, Milking shorthorn: Grazing ability and the beefquality was selected for along with milking ability.Breeds requiring the highest level of management and qualitiy offorage to be 100% grass fed:Guernsey and Jersey: Both breeds were developed on Channel Islandsbetween France and England noted for luxuriant pastures. Because ofthis abundant high quality forage, selection was not based on grazingability but rather cows were selected for the large amounts of milkfatthey produced. Butter was the major product on these islands.I know that a lot of folks on this list prefer the higher milkfat ofJerseys and Guernseys; but they require the highest levels ofmanagement and forage quality in order to thrive in a pasture onlysystem. Those looking to get into grass based dairying might considersome of these other breeds, too. Consumers looking for 100% grassfedmilk might think about breed origins, too.I'm a big fan of the Brown Swiss breed; but for some folks they'rejust too big. I like them because they're beefy and gentle.Hope this helps.Jody Osmund Cedar Valley Sustainable FarmNorthern IllinoisPLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/PLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

December 13, 2004

The ones I have encountered averaged 1200-1300 lbs as adults. They

are smaller then Holsteins, a bit bigger then Guernseys. They are a

more stocky, well fleshed cow then a Guernsey. I love the mahogany

brown they get. My first calf out of my Guernsey was half Ayrshire

and she looked like one 100%. She was gorgeous. They are supposed to

be a bit more spirited then other dairy breeds but are hardy, cold

tolerant, and look magnificent with horns.

The farm we bought our cow from is experimenting with Ayrshire

crosses- mainly with Holsteins. The farmers goal is to create a good

crossbred that produces well on a mostly grazing environment.

> From: Tinybabe [mailto:tinybabe2@r...]

> Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 11:00 AM

> To: RawDairy

> Subject: Re: Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy -

historical

> origins

>

> What size are they? I thought Ayshires were big.

>

> K.C.

>

> Best Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy -

historical

> origins

>

> Traditional dairy breeds:

>

> Ayrshire - They com from southwestern Scotland where it's cold and

> damp, with relatively little forage. Selected for hardiness, and

> excellent grazing ability.

>

> Brown Swiss - Developed on the mountain slopes of Switzerland. They

> grazed from the foot of the mountain in the spring to the highest

> slopes in the summer. Raised on this terrain, hardy animals were

> selected for their grazing ability. In the winter they got hay, and

> were often supplemented with swedes, beets, and turnips.

>

> Dual purpose breeds -

>

> Devon, Red Poll, Milking shorthorn: Grazing ability and the beef

> quality was selected for along with milking ability.

>

> Breeds requiring the highest level of management and qualitiy of

> forage to be 100% grass fed:

>

> Guernsey and Jersey: Both breeds were developed on Channel Islands

> between France and England noted for luxuriant pastures. Because of

> this abundant high quality forage, selection was not based on

grazing

> ability but rather cows were selected for the large amounts of

milkfat

> they produced. Butter was the major product on these islands.

>

> I know that a lot of folks on this list prefer the higher milkfat

of

> Jerseys and Guernseys; but they require the highest levels of

> management and forage quality in order to thrive in a pasture only

> system. Those looking to get into grass based dairying might

consider

> some of these other breeds, too. Consumers looking for 100%

grassfed

> milk might think about breed origins, too.

>

> I'm a big fan of the Brown Swiss breed; but for some folks they're

> just too big. I like them because they're beefy and gentle.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Jody Osmund

> Cedar Valley Sustainable FarmNorthern Illinois

>

> PLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

> Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

>

> PLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

> Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

>

> PLEASE BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

> Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of information!

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

>

December 13, 2004

Not all ayrshires are big, they fall under

guernseys and brown swiss, I believe. They have good feed conversion, and do

well on scrub, which was one reason I was looking at them, also the type of

casein is supposedly better

www.MajestyFarm.com

It must be obvious that liberty

necessarily means freedom to choose foolishly as well as wisely; freedom to

choose evil as well as good; freedom to enjoy the rewards of good judgment, and

freedom to suffer the penalties of bad judgment. If this is not true, the word

" freedom " has no meaning. – Ben

Moreell

From: Tinybabe

Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004

11:00 AM

To: RawDairy

Subject: Re: Best

Breeds for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

What size are they?

I thought Ayshires were big.

K.C.

Best Breeds

for Grass-fed only Dairy - historical origins

Traditional dairy breeds:

Ayrshire - They com from southwestern Scotland

where it's cold and

damp, with relatively little forage. Selected for

hardiness, and

excellent grazing ability.

Brown Swiss - Developed on the mountain slopes of Switzerland.

They

grazed from the foot of the mountain in the spring

to the highest

slopes in the summer. Raised on this terrain,

hardy animals were

selected for their grazing ability. In the winter

they got hay, and

were often supplemented with swedes, beets, and

turnips.

Dual purpose breeds -

Devon, Red Poll, Milking shorthorn: Grazing ability and the beef

quality was selected for along with milking

ability.

Breeds requiring the highest level of management

and qualitiy of

forage to be 100% grass fed:

Guernsey and Jersey: Both breeds were developed on

Channel Islands

between France

and England

noted for luxuriant pastures. Because of

this abundant high quality forage, selection was

not based on grazing

ability but rather cows were selected for the

large amounts of milkfat

they produced. Butter was the major product on

these islands.

I know that a lot of folks on this list prefer the

higher milkfat of

Jerseys and Guernseys;

but they require the highest levels of

management and forage quality in order to thrive

in a pasture only

system. Those looking to get into grass based

dairying might consider

some of these other breeds, too. Consumers looking

for 100% grassfed

milk might think about breed origins, too.

I'm a big fan of the Brown Swiss breed; but for

some folks they're

just too big. I like them because they're beefy

and gentle.

Hope this helps.

Jody Osmund

Cedar Valley Sustainable

FarmNorthern Illinois

PLEASE BE

KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of

information!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

PLEASE

BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of

information!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

PLEASE

BE KIND AND TRIM YOUR POSTS WHEN REPLYING!

Visit our Raw Dairy Files for a wealth of

information!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RawDairy/files/

December 13, 2004

I don't knwo about females but I know a guy who will

sell a couple of Ayreshire bulls for $300 each at 3

months old.

Bill Dunlap

__________________________________________________

December 14, 2004

We no longer have any purebred jerseys, we are mainly holstein with a

few crossbreds (fj). (We used a dairy shorthorn bull as one of the

mop-up bulls this yr because I wanted some blue cows - hubby thinks

I'm nuts! - so we got 3 and have kept them so I'm hopeful they'll be

great little cows!) Since switching to NZ genetics (friesian) we

have noticed that the animals are much smaller in height & length,

but we are milking the first drop this year (calving at 24 mths old)

and they are performing really, really well. Should mature into

excellent cows.

Oz jerseys are larger than NZ jerseys, but I believe are smaller than

their cousins in USA. I have various friends with jerseys only, I'll

ask them. My hubby says at a guess abt 48-52 inches?

Cheers, .

> , I'm curious as to the size of the Jerseys you have. We

measure in inches (you know us Americans) and at the top of the hip.

Can you tell me how tall your Jerseys are?

>

> Thanks,

>

> K.C.

December 14, 2004