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Milking Jerseys & Loving it!
by Jennifer Wickstrom - Alta Summer Intern
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In December of 2002, the Kutz family of Jefferson, Wisconsin, was looking to expand their all Holstein herd. At the time, they were milking 450 head of Holsteins. By March of the following year, they had made an almost unheard of decision. They had decided to add 330 registered Jersey’s, to their herd. This was a major decision, as the family had been in the dairy business for more than 25 years, milking solely Holstein cows. The decision came after much deliberation and research. As well as noting a trend in the dairy industry of long time Holstein breeders who were either crossbreeding their cows with Jersey bulls, or integrating Jerseys into their herds. Their decision was based upon characteristics of the Jersey breed which made for a more profitable dairy operation. The Jersey breed offered to the Kutz’s a promise of, longevity, a drop in calving problems, better overall fertility, a command in premium price in milk markets, and production of milk components at a lower cost compared to that of other dairy cattle breeds. The Kutz’s felt confident in their expansion decision; yet had no idea how quickly the Jersey cows would show their superiority. Soon after the cows arrived and began producing, a new decision had been made. The decision was to convert their entire herd of Holstein cows, to registered Jerseys. |
The first addition of the 330 Jersey’s, meant building a completely new barn to house these smaller, more docile cows. They built the barn on a smaller scale, with adjustable fittings for overall cow comfort and health. When the final conversion to Jersey’s takes place, the original barn where the Holsteins are housed, will also go under some construction to accommodate for the smaller framed Jerseys. As quickly as the Jerseys were moved into this new barn, they began to produce milk at levels which shocked the Kutz family. Aaron Kutz, who is the second son of Ron and Pam Kutz, and partner in the dairy said, “When we planned for the expansion, we didn’t expect the hard numbers we saw, showing us how much more efficient Jerseys were over Holsteins.” He stated that, “The Jerseys kicked into high gear,” producing high levels of milk right away. The Kutz’s also noted the extreme drop in cull rates, metabolic problems, and how well the Jerseys adapted reproductively.
The Kutz’s milk the cows in a Double 12 Milk Parlor where currently the 800 cows, (450 Holsteins, 330 Jersey), are milked 3 times daily. The average production of the Jerseys is 60 lbs of milk, 3.4% protein, and 5.1% fat. Comparatively the Holsteins average production consists of 80 lbs of milk, 2.9% protein, and 3.5% fat. The Kutz’s noted the drop in overall production, yet are satisfied as they ship to a private cheese plant where they are paid on components, with a protein premium and bonus.
The dairy is run as a family operation with Ron and wife Pam who started the dairy over 25 years ago. They now have incorporated their three sons Andrew, Aaron, and Allan. They also employ another 10 workers who include a Herdsman, and various Milkers, Feeders, Calf feeders, and Night workers. Aaron Kutz who attended courses at the University of Wisconsin, Madison is currently in the process of completing an on-site lab to do Embryo Transfer work on the dairy. He is currently responsible for the ET work done on the dairy, and the addition of the lab will allow for higher reproductive standards, and in turn cut down on reproduction cost for the dairy.
The Jersey herd is currently involved in the REAP program, and are 100 percent registered through the American Jersey Cattle Association. The Kutz’s plan to be involved in the Jersey Association, and plan to utilize the programs and services provided by the association. They told me they hope to become a recognized herd, and would like to raise quality Jersey cows, which will someday be bull mothers, top producers, and cows to be incorporated into other Jersey herds. Ron Kutz has taken an interest to traveling across the nation to various Jersey herds, to see the how Jersey breeders differ in raising and breeding their cows. He is planning still more trips, and is enthusiastic about meeting various Jersey breeders, who share a love for the Jersey cow. Aaron said, “I was impressed with the Jersey Association and how they strongly encourage registering cows, and utilizing the programs they have in place, our Holstein herd was not registered, so this was a good change.”
When the final conversion from Holsteins to Jerseys occurs the Kutz’s plan to milk about 1000 head of registered Jerseys. They are very confident in the future of the Jersey breed, and believe that soon the breed will be preferred, as they increase efficiency and offer a higher standard for the industry to follow.
Kutz Dairy facts and figures (Holstein vs. Jersey)
- Less than 10% cull rate in Jerseys vs. 20% cull rate in Holsteins
- Conception rate 53% in Jerseys vs. 36% in Holsteins
- Pregnancy rate 23% in Jerseys vs. 14% in Holsteins
- Lead feed Jerseys 2 lbs vs. Holsteins 10 lbs
- Better feet and legs in Jerseys, withstand concrete floors much better
- Jerseys “clean up” more quickly, reproductively, after calving
- 300 Jerseys calved, only 1 pulled
- No metabolic problems in Jerseys
- 25% more cows will fit in original Holstein barn
- All Jerseys registered, All Holsteins grade
- Production: Jersey 60lbs milk, 3.4% protein, 5.1% fat
- Production: Holstein 80lbs milk, 2.9% protein, 3.5% fat
Posted Aug 28th