Jerseys for more job satisfaction and higher income

„Jerseys for more job satisfaction and higher income“

Rene and Mark Beers have a beautiful farm in Zuidermeer (The Netherlands) with a new barn. After the milk quota disap-peared, they searched for the most economic cow. By switching to Jerseys, the plan can be carried out as it was figured out years ago: continue to milk 250 dairy cows. At the end of 2016, 15 lactating Jerseys came to the farm from Denmark. Within 3 years, the entire herd will consist of these brown percentages-champions.

Economic cow

Mark had read about Jerseys in a farmers magazine and was imme-diately enthusiastic. He explains: „The reason we switch is due to the introduction of phosphate rights. Because we were not bound to land, we could not keep our own young stock on our farm. We had to shrink 8.3% from the phosphate reference date in 2015. By switching to Jerseys, we can keep 250 cows plus young stock without buying phosphate“ Rene adds: „We mainly look for an economic cow. We already had Jerseys on the farm 25 years ago, but because of the milk quota (fat refe-rence), that was not ideal at the time. That is why we did not go through with Jerseys at that time“

Jerseys from Denmark

The new barn was ready, the first group of 15 lactating Jerseys arrived from Denmark. At this moment, 102 milking Jersey cows have been imported via De Meeuw Livestock in collaboration with Danish Jersey Export. Both Rene and Mark went to Denmark to select the cows to be purchased themselves. „In principle, we want to completely switch to Jerseys. The heifers born on the farm have been calving since six months. To speed up the transition, we only use Belgian Blue bulls on Holstein and mainly sexed Jersey semen on Jerseys,“ Mark explains. They also received a lot of comment, especially beforehand. „The Animal Husbandry Study Club came by after we had the first Jerseys on the farm for 3 months. We no longer hear those who were negative on forehand:’ Mark recalls.

Lower phoshate class

Due to the lower milk production (with considerably higher percenta-ges), the Jerseys fall into a lower phosphate class: 42 kilos for Holsteins compared to 34.8 kilos for Jerseys. Due to this difference, 20 more Jersey cows are milked on the farm, resulting in a higher income because they produce more efficiently. „The feed intake per Jersey is 16 kg dry matter including concentrates, resulting in 5,900 kg milk with 6.28% fat and 4.12% protein. The Holsteins produce 8,500 kg of milk with 4.35% fat and 3.54% protein from 22 kg dry matter, including concentrates.

Ria, Rene and Mark Beers and Marissa de Ruijter in the barn with their Jerseys

The Jerseys are real grazers that stay in the pasture even in bad weather conditions. In addition, they can handle a poorer ration. Longevity flies because of the Jerseys, they are huge character cows:’ tell Rene and Mark satisfied. „We notice that the Jerseys are very fertile, 2-3 days after calving you can see them in heat again. An additional advantage is that endometritis hardly occurs. And the claws are harder,“ says Rene. „Within 3 years we hope to have a full Jersey herd by natural course. We are happy that we have switched, both in terms of job satisfaction and income, “ Mark concludes.

Tasty dairy products

Part of the milk is processed on the farm into yogurt, custard, kefir, etc. In the shop on the continuous road, the products are sold to private individuals and in the region dairy products are increasingly finding their way to farm shops. The Jersey milk gives an extra full flavor to the products. For more info: www.zuivelinnen.nl

For more information, please feel free to contact:
Danish Jersey Export

  • Niels Jorgensen
  • Runebakken 93
  • DK-6500 Vojens
  • Mob. +45 20 49 00 61
  • Email: dje@djexport.dk

pros and cons

  • ÷ lower phosphate class
  • + solution for old barn, where Holstein no longer fits
  • + feed efficiency
  • + fertility
  • + calving ease
  • + vital calves
  • + lifespan + character
  • + higher profits – residual value at disposal – sales of bull calves

Danish Jersey Export partner in the Netherlands (Dutch language):

de meeuw

LIVESTOCK

Jan Willem Elsenga
  • jwelsenga©xs4all.n1
  • +31 6 53 37 55 48
Pieter de Vries
  • pj_devries@kpnmail.n1
  • +31 6 40 22 43 59