Factors contributing to the popularity of the breed have been their greater economy of production, due to: Jerseys occur in all shades of brown, from light tan to almost black. [citation needed], Sir John Le Couteur studied selective breeding and became a Fellow of the Royal Society; his work led to the establishment of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society in 1833. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). It is originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Shepard, Bibliography – Jersey Cattle – Worldwide, Channel Islands Occupation Society (CIOS), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jersey_cattle&oldid=984705757, Cattle breeds originating in the Channel Islands, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The ability to carry a larger number of effective milking cows per unit area due to lower body weight, hence lower maintenance requirements, and superior grazing ability, Calving ease and a relatively lower rate of, High butterfat (4.84%) and protein (3.95%), and the ability to thrive on locally produced feed, Brown Bessie, the famous champion butter cow of the. Jerseys are of great importance where butter is a major product, as in New Zealand and Denmark. Evie, who played the titular role in the 2019 film, This page was last edited on 21 October 2020, at 16:27. As its name implies, the Jersey was bred on the British Channel Island of Jersey. All purebred Jerseys have a lighter band around their muzzles, a dark switch (long hair on the end of the tail), and black hooves, although in recent years, colour regulations have been relaxed to allow a broadening of the gene pool. For many decades, each of the 12 parishes in Jersey would hold cattle shows in the spring, summer, and autumn, followed in turn by the main shows held by the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, where the best of the parish shows would compete. Jersey milk is in many ways unique. It is one of three Channel Island cattle breeds, the others being the Alderney – now extinct – and the Guernsey. The colour of the Jersey is usually a shade of fawn or cream, but darker shades are common. The increase in the supply of cattle, sometimes of inferior quality, was bringing the price down and damaging the reputation of Jersey cattle. A Jersey cattle show is also held in Jersey, by the West Show Association. Today, the RJAHS holds two shows a year, where usually five or six of the remaining 23 herds compete against each other for the top prizes.
Jersey is the second most popular breed of cattle in the world. [4], In February 2010, semen from an impure breed Jersey bull had been imported into the island despite strict laws and checks, and 100 cows had been impregnated with the semen. In the USA, a distinction is sometimes made between the "American Jersey", which is comparatively coarse and large and has been selectively bred mainly for milk yield, and the original or "Island" type;[1]:212 the latter may also be called "Miniature Jersey".[6][7]. Originating from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Jersey cattle are renowned for their versatility as well as their high quality milk that can be used in the production of a wide range of dairy products.

It apparently descended from cattle stock brought over from the nearby Norman mainland, and was first recorded as a separate breed around 1700. The Jersey is a British breed of small dairy cattle from Jersey, in the British Channel Islands.It is one of three Channel Island cattle breeds, the others being the Alderney – now extinct – and the Guernsey.It is highly productive – cows may give over 10 times their own weight in milk per lactation; the milk is high in butterfat and has a characteristic yellowish tinge. By 1910, over 1,000 head were exported annually to the United States alone. Corrections? Their principal capacity lies in their efficient production of milk high in butterfat and milk solids. Jersey milk has greater nutritional value, plus the highest yield and greater efficiency when processed into cheese and other value-added products. The United Kingdom levied no import duty on cattle imported from Jersey. Jersey, breed of small short-horned dairy cattle originating on Jersey, one of the Channel Islands; it is believed to have descended from French cattle. Jersey milk is remarkably rich in butterfat, and for that reason animals of this breed are in demand for crossing with native stock to improve the butterfat percentage in milk. In 1789, imports of foreign cattle into Jersey were forbidden by law to maintain the purity of the breed, although exports of cattle and semen have been important economic resources for the island. Jersey, breed of small short-horned dairy cattle originating on Jersey, one of the Channel Islands; it is believed to have descended from French cattle.The colour of the Jersey is usually a shade of fawn or cream, but darker shades are common. Jerseys produces a pound of milk components at a lower cost compared to the other major breeds. Updates? By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. [2] This was, however, not widespread. The breed was isolated from outside influence for over 200 years, from 1789 to 2008. Jersey cattle are very efficient grazing animals and can thrive is many different climates and geography types around the globe. Duncan Belle, sired by Highland Magic Duncan, was named the winner of the 2000 Great Cow Contest. [citation needed], A tawny-coloured Jersey with a characteristic white ring around its black nose. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Boston, 1954, pp81-95, Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society, "Jersey Cattle Show & Family Day Out – The West Show, Jersey", "Non-pure bull semen imported into Jersey", "History of the magnificent Jersey breed", "The Book of the Fair : Chapter the Nineteenth: The Live-Stock Department (Image)/ Paul V. Galvin Digital History Collection", "Dairy Cow Daily – Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J", "Top 30 Records In History: Cheese Yield, Protein, Fat and Milk (spreadsheet)", "Cookbook Of The Day: Huntsville Heritage Cookbook", Extract from One Hundred Years of the Royal Jersey Agricultural Society by H.G. The breed is popular and famous for high milk production and also for the high butterfat of their milk. In the late 18th century measures were passed prohibiting the importation of cattle into Jersey except for immediate slaughter, and by the early 19th century the indigenous breed came to be recognized as pure. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/animal/Jersey-breed-of-cattle, Oklahoma State University - Jersey Cattle, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Dairy Production Systems. The Jersey cow ranges from 400 to 500 kilograms (880 to 1,100 lb). [5], Jersey cattle were exported to the United States from about 1850. The Jersey adapts well to various climates and environments, and unlike many breeds originating in temperate climates, these cows can tolerate heat very well. In July 2008, the States of Jersey took the historic step of ending the ban on imports, and allowing the import of bull semen from any breed of cattle, although only semen that is genetically pure enables the resultant progeny to be entered in the Jersey Herd Book. A breed society, the American Jersey Cattle Club, was formed in 1868. Secretary be hereby invited to open and to carry on a "herd book" in which the pedigree of bulls, cows, and heifers shall be entered for reference to all the members of the Society." Jerseys are well-known to be less susceptible to lameness because of their black hoof colour which makes their hooves very hard. The Jersey cattle are relatively a small breed of dairy cattle which are raised primarily for milk production. Shepard noted in his history[3] that "it was resolved – on the motion of Col. As a product it contains:- 18% more protein, 20% more calcium, 25% more butterfat than "average" milk. Before 1789, cows would be given as dowry for inter-island marriages between Jersey and Guernsey. Because of their small size and lack of muscular development as well as the yellow colour of body fat, Jerseys have lower beef value than the other major breeds.

It is highly productive – cows may give over 10 times their own weight in milk per lactation; the milk is high in butterfat and has a characteristic yellowish tinge. The States of Jersey took a census of stock in 1866, and Jersey then supported 12,037 head of cattle, of which 611 were bulls. Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. [1]:213, Jersey cattle have a greater tendency towards postparturient hypocalcaemia (or "milk fever") in dams, and tend to have frail calves that require more attentive management in cold weather than other dairy breeds due to their smaller body size (which results in an increased surface area-to-mass ratio, increasing heat loss).