"Guinea Jerseys" Join Miniature Dairy Breeds

"Guinea Jerseys" Join Miniature Dairy Breeds DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Dairy Equipment & Ideas 23-6-18 The Miniature Cattle Breeders Society is now one breed stronger with the addition of Guinea Jerseys. The little dairy cows are actively bred and maintained by only about six breeders in the U.S. Some miniature breeds have been bred "down" to a smaller size but Guinea Jerseys were imported "as is" from the island of New Guinea in the 1880's or 1890's by a North Carolina man. The animals quickly caught on as family cows, thanks to their ability as foragers, their small size and an unusually high butterfat content of 7 to 7 1/2 percent. Unfortunately for the breed, a family seldom needed more than one cow, and little thought was given to maintaining the breed by most owners. Tim O'Donnell, an Illinois breeder with nine head, has long had a passion for the animals. He praises them for their even temperament. Even the bulls seldom show signs of aggression, according to O'Donnell. The oldest he has seen was nine years old, yet it was as gentle as a one or two year old. At birth, the animals measure just 16 to 20 in. tall and weigh only 20 to 25 lbs. Adult cows range from 35 to 42 in. and weigh 500 to 600 lbs. Bulls are slightly larger at 600 to 800 lbs. The half dozen known herds range from a few animals to about 30 head. An author of several articles about the breed, O'Donnell reports a renewed interest in the small breed based on the several hundred e-mails, letters and calls he has received in recent months. Unfortunately for prospective buyers, he reports that no animals are currently for sale, though he may begin selling semen from his two bulls this fall. "There are only about 45 brood cows in the U.S.," says O'Donnell. "One gentleman has raised them for more than 50 years. He has kept the breed going." For more information on Guinea Jerseys and other mini cattle breeds, contact the International Miniature Cattle Breeders Society. The Society registers animals, publishes a newsletter and provides information on the 15+ miniature cattle breeds. A complete information packet is available, including a sample newsletter and a breeders list at a cost of $25 including P&H. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Miniature Cattle Breeders Society, 25204 156th Ave. S.E., Kent, Wash. 98042 (ph 253 631-1911; fax 253 631-5774; E-mail: info@minicattle.com; Website: http://www.minicattle.com).

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