Danish Jersey

The Danish Jersey is a breed of cattle developed in Denmark. It is based upon imported Jersey cattle.

Danish Jersey

Breed Characteristics
Danish Jerseys are usually on pasture when not being milked.

Danish Jerseys are smaller in stature than other dairy breeds (115-120 cm tall). They are fawn in colour with white markings not being uncommon. Coat colours will vary from lighter to dark brown, almost black. Darker brown can be found on their extremities (nose, feet, ears, and tail). Cows can weigh around 350-425 kg while bulls can weigh around 500-600 kg. Males have usually a darker coat than females.[1]

This breed provides usually very well-natured cows that are easy to handle due to their size and temperament. Bulls become bad tempered when they get older.

Location

The Danish Jersey cattle can be found in Denmark, mainly West Fünen. The Danish Jersey are a variety of Jersey cattle developed from Swedish cattle during the late 1800s and from Jersey during the early 1900s. In 1902 the breed society was formed and in 1925 the herdbook was established.[2]

Industry

2016 Danish Jersey production statistics are on an average per cow per year basis. Total milk: 7,359 kg. Total fat: 434 kg. Fat percentage: 5.90%. Total protein: 305 kg. Protein percentage: 4.14%.[3] Due to problems with inbreeding of the Danish Jersey in Denmark, genetics are being brought in from the USA to combat this issue and further develop the breed.

Industry Objectives

The production goals for the year 2020 are also based on an average per cow per year basis Total milk: 7,600 kg. Total fat: 440 kg. Fat percentage: 5.75%. Total protein: 310 kg. Protein percentage: 4.05%.[3]

Breeding objectives for the year 2020 also look at conformation on the Danish Jersey. Focus is being put on increasing height and weight at maturity as well as strong feet and legs, udder strength and depth, and udder and teat shape. Other traits such as lowering somatic cell count (below 200,000), decreasing treatment with antibiotics, longevity (minimum 3 lactations), and increased fertility. Improving these traits will help make this breed competitive with other more popular dairy cow breeds.[3]

Danish Jersey Export

The Danish Jersey Export is a company that is specialized in exporting the Danish Jersey breed to 40 countries around the world. Founded in 1956, the Danish Jersey Export provides their clients with heifers, cows, bulls, and embryos from the top herds in Denmark. In 2017, a total of 7,341 head of cattle were traded by the Danish Jersey Export. [4]

Some countries that the Danish Jersey Export trades to are Albania, Russia, France, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Greece.

References
  1. "Jersey". www.cattlenetwork.net. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  2. "Breeds of Livestock-Danish Jersey Cattle". Breeds of Livestock. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  3. Nordicbull. "Viking Jersey - Breeding Aims - Danish Jersey Cattle". Danish Jersey Cattle. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  4. "Danish Jersey Export - Purchase Danish Jersey Cattle". Dansk Jersey Export (in Danish). Retrieved 2018-11-25.

Sources


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.