Real Syn, a Rover son, is leading the B&W RZG Interbull Genomic ranking for the third time, with an impressive +166 RZG. Right behind, we have the Arizona brothers—Alaska at +163 RZG and Argentum at +161 RZG. Over in the R&W Interbull Genomic ranking, Simply Red takes the top spot at +159 RZG. He is followed closely by Malaga Red, a Mask Red son, with +158 RZG. Party P, Skill Red, and Redwood are sharing the third spot, all at +157 RZG.
A recent headline in Hoard’s Dairyman proclaimed “Brown is the Color of Money” and that’s all it took for “The Hunt Family Feud” to take off over phone, email and Facebook. With roots in Holsteins, dairy nutrition and dairy genetics, the perfect ingredients were present for arguments, controversy and loud proclamations of bull* –all of which are highly esteemed in the Hunt family.
Can you Measure the Difference?
This debate is fueled by a lot of things but every good argument needs actual facts. Inputs of feed, facility, equipment and staff may be impacted by the size differential between Holsteins and Jerseys. Smaller animals may correspondingly require less inputs. We have to recognize that “may” is the operative word here because there are different variables depending on each particular dairy operation.
One size variable that can’t be ignored is that dairy herd size is growing. Faced with this scenario, there may be good reasons for choosing one breed over another or for having a combination of breeds on a single operation. Choice might be influenced by:
Specific markets
Relative health issues between breeds
Calving ease
Initial investment and sources for replacements
Many questions have to be answered, before a winner can be named.
Which Breed Fits the Facilities?
For those working in barns that were built twenty or more years ago where stalls are smaller, Jerseys may be a better fit. As well new dairy operators who are renting such facilities could find that Jerseys would operate better in those smaller stalls. Bedding packs also are another way to put minimal effort and expense into rented facilities. Jersey’s work well on packs. If there is a drawback, it could be that it may take more stalls to produce the same volume of milk. However, if the Jerseys are high volume for %F and %P, then the pounds of fat+protein produced per day may be the same whether it’s Holsteins or Jersey.
Which Breed Eats the Most?
Scientific examples abound regarding “efficiency” because of the Jersey’s smaller size. Let’s briefly consider human size relating to efficiency. “Is the size two female more efficient than her size 18 cousin. What are they producing? Food for a party? Or are you measuring food consumed? Not relevant. Well – what about groceries consumed? Or children produced? Getting warmer. But there are still too many variables to make a choice based on efficiency related to size alone. However, back to choosing the most efficient dairy breed to feed. It isn’t only about quantity of feed consumed per cow per day. The calculation should refer to the net dollars per day for the herd. When calculating returns minus feed costs, Jerseys can be competitive. (Read more: Feed Efficiency: The Money Saver)
Which Breed Has Better Genetics and Genomics?
Jerseys are not just for show oriented breeders. Milk production focused herds are using Jerseys.
Genetically Jerseys differ from Holsteins in that SCSs are higher, and the Median Suspensory Ligament (cleft) may not be as defined. Their reproduction is much superior. Jersey dropped bull calves are much less in demand. Dollar value is low. Using sexed semen for the top of the herd and beef semen on the bottom half gives a revenue source because crossbred dropped calves are in demand. (Read more: SEXED SEMEN – At Your Service!) Jerseys have genomic indexes as well. Genomics may have been a little slower to be adopted than in Holsteins but just wait Jerseys will catch up. Or so the argument goes. (Read more: Dairy Cattle Genomics)
Which Breed will Save Time?
Jerseys are the Queens when it comes to reproduction in dairy cattle, boasting easier calving, better conception rates and fewer inseminations. All of these have an impact on less vet time required for checking or treating as well as staff time and effort daily and annually. Easier calving for Jersey’s impacts that there will be fewer calf losses at birth and most likely more calves getting off to a better start. Superior reproduction can allow for less time off in the dry cow pen or less time milking at lower levels during a lifetime. (Read more: Artificial Insemination – Is Doing It Yourself Really Saving You Money?) Every manager knows that staff and cows need time off. Unnecessary time off on the cow’s part means less than optimum returns over a cow’s lifetime. Jersey heifers reach puberty at a younger age. This means age at first calving can be earlier, thus saving on rearing costs.
Which breed sells more milk? More live sales?
In the US, Jerseys are about 10% of the population. There has been steady growth in the number of Jersey herds in the U.S., particularly among large dairy owners in the West. The way breeders market and which markets they send their milk to is essential in areas where cheese and butter sales (which are at the highest relative level in twenty years) can greatly influence which breed you choose to work with. Owners are producing milk that their processors desire. In fact, the processor is the breeders’ customer not the end consumers. With eat local food movements the world over being emphasized, Jerseys may fit better than other breeds in some situations. The recent popularity of Jerseys has resulted in the fact that sales of breeding stock have been good as well,
It’s All About the Numbers. Are they In the Red or In the Black?
When you want to win the argument over which breed is the most profitable it all comes down to the actual data, you are analyzing. The reason the debate goes on is because there isn’t a source for reliable data comparing Jerseys and Holsteins. And so we come back to the initial article which triggered these questions which reported a comparison that exists through financial reports of Ganske, Mulder & Co. LLC, the largest dairy accounting firm in the U.S., They prepared reports summarizing all of its clients as a group and also does a separate summary for its Jersey clients. “It is perhaps the only such set of Jersey financial data that exists” reports the article that goes on to present statistics and the following summation. “Jerseys did make less milk per day than did all of the firm’s clients. But Jersey herds had much higher protein and fat tests, which resulted in significantly higher milk price per hundredweight. As a result, Jersey herds’ bottom line was much bigger – they made 45.7 percent more net profit per head.
NAME
Sale
Lot
GLPI
OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA
Genetics By Design
1
3823
STE ODILE MOON MODEL AMALUNA
GPS
16
3798
OCONNORS LIVING THE DREAM
Genetics By Design
14
3755
MAPEL WOOD LAST DANCE
Genetics By Design
3
3710
MAPEL WOOD SNOWMAN LEXUS
Genetics By Design
4
3673
OCONNORS BOULDER LUNA
Genetics By Design
6
3537
MAPEL WOOD BOULDER LIMERICK
Genetics By Design
7
3537
OCONNORS LAST HOPE
Genetics By Design
2
3534
BENNER FORK JANARDAN
GPS
1
3493
OCONNORS EPIC LAST CHANCE
Genetics By Design
8
3465
OCD MOGUL FUZZY NAVEL
Sale of Stars
5
3460
GEN-I-BEQ LEXOR PLAGE
Sale of Stars
45
3398
VELTHUIS SG LAVAMAN ENVY
Sale of Stars
46
3372
MARBRI UNO BEAUTY
GPS
11
3328
MAPEL WOOD M O M LUCY
Genetics By Design
12
3299
ROCKYMOUNTAIN LEXOR EDEN
GPS
32
3289
WELCOME-TEL ECOYNE ABBIE
Sale of Stars
12
3286
ZIMMER WENDON UNO CAMI
Sale of Stars
35
3268
OCONNORS SNOWMAN LEXIE
Genetics By Design
5
3255
BOLDI V S G EPIC ASTER
Sale of Stars
7
3240
So What Color of Dairy Breed Is the Money Maker?
Jersey herds produced 48 pounds of fat and protein where all herds produced 5.0 pounds of fat and protein. This is not significantly different. But on any given day, on any particular dairy operation, the numbers can be rallied to support the choice that is dearest to the heart of owner-operators.
The Bullvine Bottom Line
In the end, your particular passion is what it all boils down to. When it comes to the choice of Black and White, Brown, or “green”, the only thing you can know for sure is that dairy love is NOT color blind. Whether your passion is driven by the color of the dairy breed or by the color of money … or both… the right answer is up to you? End of argument.
One of the things that makes the dairy community great is the passion producers have for what they do. One area that we have found that brings out the most passion is debating which breed is the best. While there are many ways to look at it, the most logical way is to look at which breed is the most profitable.
Since we first joined this discussion back in May of 2012, (Read more: Holstein vs. Jersey: Which breed is more profitable) there have been many interesting points raised on both sides of this question. So we here at the Bullvine decided to take a deeper look at this issue and see if we could get more insight into this much debated topic.
Now first let`s be clear. This is a very lopsided debate because Holsteins are the primary breed on 92% of the farms in North America, and Jersey is only the primary breed on about 3.5%. But man you have to love the passionately vocal nature of most Jersey breeders.
Feed Conversion
With feed accounting for between 52 and 58 percent of the total cost of production, any significant advantage for either breed is its ability to convert feed into milk solids, especially with the increased costs of feed these days. While the superior overall production ability of a Holstein vs. a Jersey (Holstein 24,291 lbs of milk 888lbs Fat 3.66 % Fat 765 lbs Protein 3.15 % Protein vs. Jersey 16,997 lbs milk 776 lbs Fat 4.57% Fat 633 lbs Protein 3.73% Protein) has long been documented the true numbers lie in how well each breed converts their feed intake into milk and milk solids In a Dairy Science paper they looked at feed intake studies for 4 breed groups: Holstein, Holstein x Jersey, Jersey x Holstein and Jersey, where all cows were fed the same ration, were housed in the same type of pens and were milked together. The results found that Holstein had the highest intake and the highest production yield. However, Jersey converted a higher percentage of their intake to production than Holstein did.
Item
Holstein
HJ
JH
Jersey
Intake
9,813
9,309
9,487
7,969
Growth
669 (6.8%)
599 (6.4%)
496 (5.2%)
334 (4.2%)
Maintenance
2,666 (27.25)
2,468 (26.5%)
2,425 (25.6%)
2,085 (26.2)
Pregnancy
27 (0.3%)
32 (0.3%)
33 (0.3%)
21 (0.3%)
Production
5,968 (60.8%)
6,057 (65.1%)
6,162 (65.0%)
5,259 (66.0%)
The bottom line result of this research was that Jerseys were 6% better at converting intake into production. That may not seem that significant until you factor in that feed costs are 52-58% of total costs. That difference represents a 3.3% increase in profitability. One thing is for sure, feed efficiency is certainly one area that we need to have more supporting research in order to develop genetic indices.
Milk Price
One of the key factors determining which breed is better depends on where you market your milk. Certain pricing models favor fluid milk production while others favor component production. Fluid markets certainly favor Holstein while component markets favor Jerseys. Pennsylvania researchers used a farm level income and policy simulator (FLIPSIM) model to predict farm performance under fluid pricing or component pricing in Pennsylvania. Under fluid pricing, a high producing (13,961 pounds) 60-cow Jersey herd could expect a net cash income of $32,300 versus $63,100 for a high producing (20,600 pounds) Holstein herd. Under component pricing, the same Jersey herd would increase in net cash income to $55,400 versus $61,100 for the Holstein herd. Under component pricing, a Jersey herd could expect an increase of about $23,000, while the Holstein herd would decline slightly. Combine that with the increased feed efficiency of the Jersey’s mentioned above and, depending on the pricing model in your area, Jerseys would become a more profitable option. Especially when you factor in the less volatile milk solids market as compared to fluid milk pricing.
Reproduction
For years Jerseys have enjoyed the reputation of being far superior to Holstein. However, increased attention to this area by many producers may have changed or at least narrowed the gap. This is certainly an area that many breeders are paying attention to, specifically the scores for Conception Rate (CR), Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) and Calving Interval (CI). The Days to First Breeding (DFB) declined for Holsteins from 92 d in 1996 to 85 d in 2007. A similar trend was not observed for Jerseys, possibly because synchronized breeding is more common in Holstein herds than in Jersey herds. As far as conception rates are concerned, Jerseys still have a slight edge over Holsteins. But that trend is also changing. As Holsteins have gone from 2.5 NB (Number of Breedings per lactation) in 1996 to 2.6 in 2007, while Jersey’s have gone from 2.2 in 1996 to 2.4 in 2007.
Now one area that I often hear comments from producers about is the value of the resulting calves. Specifically that drop bull calves that will be sold for beef. One of the great strategies I have seen employed by many Jersey and even top Holstein herds is to breed the bottom 10% of their herd to a beef sire. As they know they will not be needing the resulting females or males from these animals the value of using a beef sire, typically more than compensates for the Holstein versus Jersey drop calf price. Another management or reproduction tool that many producers are using is sexed semen which allows them to greatly decrease the number of female calves needed for replacements.
The Bullvine Bottom Line
Holstein and Jersey cows both have their advantages and disadvantages. Holsteins are larger and have higher salvage value than Jerseys. Jerseys tend to be more efficient and typically have fewer reproductive challenges. Each have an advantage under milk pricing that favors their particular productive strengths. The first area you need to look at for what breed is better for you, is the milk pricing model in your area. If it is a fluid market, then typically Holstein would be more advantageous. If the price model favors component pricing, then you would typically be better off milking Jerseys. After looking at the price model, you certainly need to adjust your management to maximize the reproduction and feed efficiency for the breed you have chosen. Even your housing set up could be better suited for one breed over the other. While I am sure the Jersey versus Holstein debate will go on for years to come, there are certain new trends that may be contrary to previous beliefs and new feed efficiency information that are opening many producers’ eyes.
Many of us grew up with the jingle, “Let’s all go to the Dairy Queen!” The promise then – and now – is that dairy products, especially fresh frozen ones, are a delicious answer to the question, “What should we do now?”
Derrick Frigot, WJCB President, was raised on a well-known dairy farm on Jersey. Today as an co-author and with an international team of researchers and contributors, he has helped carry to completion the book “The Dairy Queen.” This isn’t a cold calorie laden dairy dessert but it does dish up dairy information about Jersey cattle that is magnetic in its appeal, broad in scope and richly satisfying.
The Isle of Jersey Marks the Beginning
Derrick thoroughly enjoyed those early days on his uncle’s farm. “He was a leading breeder and exporter of Jersey cattle. As a youngster it was exciting to meet well-known North American Jersey importers like Paul Spann and Lea Marsh.” This experience prepared Derrick for his career path. “When leaving school, I worked in the office of the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society for six years, followed by a couple of years in a livestock feed company, and finally as manager of the Jersey Artificial Insemination Centre Ltd, the Island’s first AI company.”
Co-Author Derrick Frigot
Artificial Insemination Provides the Background for Authorship
AI on the island of Jersey became the next influence on the unfolding of Derrick’s career. “In 1975 the island’s government took over the local operations of artificial breeding and our company concentrated on cattle and semen exports from Jersey. In the mid 1980s we began importing international Jersey semen into the UK and became the leading suppliers to UK Jersey breeders. “
Now not everyone who works in the AI field automatically becomes an author but for Derrick writing “The Dairy Queen” was a welcome extension of his interest in Jersey dairy cattle. “I was delighted to be asked to assist with the completion of this book so ably started by Hans Norgaard who is a dedicated Jersey breed historian from Denmark. “
Author Hans Norgaard (Photo by Niels Damsgaard Hansen)
“The Dairy Queen” is the Unique Written Record of an Exceptional Breed
A book for anyone interested in dairy cattle, The Dairy Queen, is the first truly global account of the development of the world’s most efficient dairy producing cow. Derrick points out the unique features of this special book. “It tells the story from the early origins of the breed to modern times, throughout the world. It will appeal to all dairymen interested in cattle breeding and its 300-plus pages with over 700 pictures is a glorious presentation of the Jersey breed. The great cattle breeders and individuals who influenced the historical progress of the Jersey cow are well documented along with anecdotes of incidents that literally changed the progress of the breed. For example, the concerns of cattle breeders in the Island of Jersey in 1947 when dockworkers refused to load cattle onto ships for export – they were concerned about shortage of milk for island families following the five-year occupation by German forces in World War II.
Another example is the introduction of multiple component pricing that triggered the strong move to Jerseys in the USA coupled with the success story of Hilmar Cheese in California, owned by a group of Jersey cattlemen that has expanded the breed greatly in that state and also Texas.”
Showing in the first half of the 20th Century (A page from the book)
The Written Word is Inspired and Supported by Jersey Enthusiasts
Such a significant undertaking obviously would require a huge commitment of time. Derrick appreciates those who influenced his work on the book. “Anne Perchard, MBE who was the Patron of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau and a long-time close friend of mine. Anne was the World Dairy Expo’s “International Person of the Year” in 2011 and the first woman to be awarded honorary membership of the American Jersey Cattle Association. She wrote the foreword for the book and sadly, passed away just a month before publication.” Derrick also appreciates “All the Jersey breeders of this world for sharing their stories. It has been my privilege in working with the dairy industry all my life, which your readers will agree, is the greatest industry in the world.”
The Bullvine Bottom Line
The Bullvine does agree with Derrick Frigot that dairying is the world’s greatest industry and so we congratulate him on the publication of “the Dairy Queen” and for answering so thoroughly the question “And why is that?” So next time you need to discover more about the people and passion that have made such a positive impact on the Jersey Breed, you would be wise to go to “The Dairy Queen!”
The 2012 Jersey Canada Cow of the Year contest has three outstanding cows whose individual impact will be felt in the years to come. Sofie (Bri-Lin Ren’s Sofie EX90), Marmie (Pine Haven SSM Marmie EX94) and Becky (RJF Remake Becky SUP EX 96-6E) have received nominations and await the final decision.
Jersey Canada- Criteria
“When selecting the three nominated animals, Jersey Canada took into consideration the performance of the cow herself in milk production, conformation and show ring success. Of high importance as well was the merit of her progeny and the impact that they are having on the breed.”
You Have Until December 1st to Vote
The selection of the 2012 Cow of the Year rests in the hands of Jersey breeders and enthusiasts. Join The Bullvine as we take a look at these exceptional individuals.
BRI-LIN REN`S SOFIE Excellent 90
Her Progeny Excel Especially for Type.
BRI-LIN REN`S SOFIE EX-90
Bred by the Raymer Family, Bri-Lin Farms, Bright, Ontario, Sofie is a Hollylane Renaissance daughter out of Bri-Lin Imperial Snow, 6 Star Brood Cow. Currently she is owned by Tom Breakell, Goshen, Connecticut.
Sofie had show ring success as Reserve Jr Champion at Oxford Parish Show, was 5th at World Dairy Expo as a Sr 2yr old and 1st 4 yr old at the New York Spring Show and the Eastern States Expo. She has become an outstanding brood cow. To date she has 11 EX and 11 VG daughters. Her top daughter is EX94 and a three time winner at World Dairy Expo. Becky`s impact will be through her more than 26 progeny and numerous granddaughters and great granddaughters that are also winning in the show ring.
Classification
VG 87 (First Lactation)
EX 90 (Third Lactation)
Production Record
Best record: 4yr 305d 9,775 kg M 5.2%F 3.8%P
Lifetime (5 lactations) 32,690 kg M 5.4%F 4.0%P
Show winnings include:
1st 4 Year Old, New York Spring Show, 2000
1st 4 Year Old, Eastern States Expo, 2000
5th Senior 2 Year Old, World Dairy Expo, 1998
Reserve Junior Champion, Oxford Parish Show, 1997
Progeny
11 Excellent and 11 Very Good daughters
PINE HAVEN SSM MARMIE, Excellent-94
Leading Lady on the Tanbark Trail
PINE HAVEN SSM MARMIE – EX-94
Bred by the Thompson-Dillman Families, Pine Haven Farm Ltd., Oxford, NS, Marmie is a Select-Scott Minister daughter out of Pine-Haven MBE Kitty. She is currently owned by the Sauder family of River Valley Dairy, Tremont, Illinois.
Marmie has an un-equaled and celebrated record of winning in the Jersey show ring. She started out by being named the Reserve All Canadian Milking Yearling in 2008 and each year from then until 2011has won her class at World Dairy Expo. Marmie has the singular accomplishment of being the Intermediate Champion twice and Grand Champion Jersey and Reserve Supreme Champion in 2011. She has also won in milking form at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the All American Jersey Show. Marmie’s impact on the Jersey breed beyond the show ring will continue with her next generation to be born at River Valley starting in September 2012. Nearly 30 heifer pregnancies are due by: Fire, Tequila, Verbatim, Centurion, Remake, Sambo, Impulse and Response.
Classification Record:
EX 91 (First classified in Second Lactation. Maximum score.)
EX 94 (Fourth Lactation. Maximum score.)
Production Record:
Best Record 3-09 305d 9,122 kg M 5.2%F 3.8%P
Lifetime (1.395 days) 36,626 kg M 5.1%F 3.8%P
Show winnings include:
Reserve Supreme Champion & Grand Champion, World Dairy Expo, 2011
Back-to-Back Intermediate Champion World Dairy Expo, 2009, 2010
1st 4-Year-Old, World Dairy Expo & All American Jersey Show (All-American 4-Year-Old), 2011
1st Sr 3-Year-Old, World Dairy Expo & Royal Winter Fair (All Can Sr. 3-Year-Old), 2010
1st Sr 2-Year-Old, World Dairy Expo, 2009
Reserve All Canadian Milking Yearling, 2008
Progeny:
Marmie’s first ET daughters were born September 2012. 30+ heifer pregnancies are due Dec 2012 to June 2013. Prior to that she had one daughter by Jewels Barbaro.
RJF REMAKE BECKY SUP EX 96-6E
Becky Sets the Bar High for Production
RJF REMAKE BECKY SUP – EX-96-6E
Bred and owned by the Jarrell Family of RJ Farms Inc., Corbyville, Ontario, Becky is a Rock Ella Remake out of RJF Lester Beth.
Becky started out well in both classification and production and improved with each lactation until in 2012 she achieved Supreme EX96-6E. At 12-01 (305d) she became the All-Time Jersey Production Leader with 17,407 kg milk, 4.3%F, 3.6%P. In eight lactations she has produced 92,506 kg. milk. In addition, Becky placed 4th at The Royal as a 5 year old and again as a Mature Cow. She has also been the Production Award Mature cow at The Royal. A 9 Star Brood Cow, Becky now has 5EX and 7VG daughters. Becky`s impact on the breed is by the example she has set for combining type and production. It will continue through her daughters and their progeny.
Classification Record
VG 85 (First Lactation)
Sup EX 96 – 6E (Eighth Lactation)
Production Record
Best Record 12-01 (305D) 17,407 kg 4.3%F 3.6%P
All-Time Production Leader for Milk, Fat and Protein in a single lactation
Lifetime (8 lactations) 92,506 kg M 4.4%F 3.7%P
Show winnings include:
1st Jr 3 yr old & Best Udder Quinte Championship Show 2002
4th 5 yr old RAWF 2004
4th Mature RAWF 2005
Production Award Mature Cow, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2011
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A book for anyone interested in dairy cattle, The Dairy Queen, is the first truly global account of the development of the world’s most efficient dairy producing cow. Derrick points out the unique features of this special book. “It tells the story from the early origins of the breed to modern times, throughout the world. It will appeal to all dairymen interested in cattle breeding and its 300-plus pages with over 700 pictures is a glorious presentation of the Jersey breed. The great cattle breeders and individuals who influenced the historical progress of the Jersey cow are well documented along with anecdotes of incidents that literally changed the progress of the breed. For example, the concerns of cattle breeders in the Island of Jersey in 1947 when dockworkers refused to load cattle onto ships for export – they were concerned about shortage of milk for island families following the five-year occupation by German forces in World War II.
