BLOGCATALOG
Showing posts with label HERD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HERD. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Jersey
Jersey
Despite considerable research, nothing definite is known as to the actual origin of the cattle first brought to Jersey Island. Most research agrees, that the Jersey probably originated from the adjacent coast of France, where in Normandy and Brittany cattle resembling Jerseys are found.Whatever the correct phylogenetic form of the Jersey might be, it would appear, when analysing the available data, that the domesticated fore-father of the Jersey came from Asia, belonged in all probability to Bos brachyceros, was probably tamed during the Stone Age, some 10 000 years ago or more and migrated to Europe through Central and Southern Europe and North Africa to Switzerland and France. In Northern France some cross-breeding undoubtedly took place between the pure Bos brachyceros and Bos primigenius herds (which mostly came down the North Coast of Europe to as far down as Northern France).
Jersey Island being joined to France until about A.D. 709 by a narrow isthmus, it stands to reason that cattle from Normandy and Brittany were brought over regularly in the early days to Jersey Island and must have played a very important role in the origin and development of the present day Jersey.
Jerseys are known to exist in the UK mainland since 1741 and probably well before. At that time they were known as Alderneys.
The flourishing times for the breed was the period from the 1860s to the First World War when the Jersey cow enjoyed the greatest period of development for the breed worldwide. For many years, thousands of animals were shipped to the USA annually, but records show that early settlers took Jerseys there in 1657. Canada imported her first Jerseys in 1868. Jerseys first went to South Africa in 1880, and in 1862 New Zealand imported her first cattle.Calving
HOLSTEIN
Holstein
History
The Holstein breed originated in Europe. The major historical developement of this breed occured about 2000 years ago in what is now the Netherlands and more specifically in the two northern provices of North Holland and Friesland which lay on either side of the Zuider Zee. The original stock were the black animals and white animals of the Batavians and Friesians, migrant European's who settled in the Rhine Delta region about 2,000 years ago. For many years, Holsteins were bred and strictly culled to obtain animals which would make best use of grass, the area's most abundant resource. The intermingling of these animals evolved into an efficient, high-producing black-and-white dairy cow.Characteristics
  Photo courtesy of West Port Holsteins,www.westportholsteins.ca |
A healthy Holstein calf weighs 90 pounds or more at birth. A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1500 pounds and stand 58 inches tall at the shoulder.
Holstein heifers can be bred at 15 months of age, when they weigh about 800 pounds. It is desirable to have Holstein females calve for the first time between 24 and 27 months of age. Holstein gestation is approximately nine months.
While some cows may live considerably longer, the normal productive life of a Holstein is six years.
Average production for all Holsteins enrolled in official U.S. production-testing programs in 1987 was 17,408 pounds of milk, 632 pounds of butterfat and 550 pounds of protein per year.
There is growing interest in the polled factor in dairy cattle. All breeds have some polled (naturally hornless) cattle. A number of Red & White breeders have shown a special interest in developing polled cattle. A large number of polled young sires, both red and red factor are currently in sampling.
Statistics
Holsteins have the highest milk productions in the world. They have an unequalled genetically anchored achievement ability which has no biological ceiling. Genetic improvements of 1 to 2 percent per year are totally realistic.  Photo courtesy of West Port Holsteins,www.westportholsteins.ca |
However, Holsteins, compared to natural breeds, are not as resistant to heat and diseases when in difficult agro-ecological areas. Their reaction to such conditions is a reduced production capacity. Experience has taught that they exhibit divergent adaptation abilities, which should therefore receive attention from a technical point of view when breeding. In the case of cross-breeding with natural breeds the calves show a higher heat tolerance and higher production figures are achieved than in the case of cross-breeding with other cultural breeds.
Holsteins produce vigorous calves distinguished by rapid growth, early maturity and easy care. If they are managed well, they exhibit no fertility problems.
They are good-natured, are easy to handle and can be stabled without any problems. They are also resistant to stress, exhibit a herd mentality and are not solitary animals.
Holsteins are more than just a dairy breed. The animal also contribute to the meat supply worldwide, have a high growth percentage in the fattening sector and produce meat with a fine fibre. In industries aimed exclusively at milk production, they are cross-bred with beef breeds for a better quality veal.
Top producing Holsteins milking twice a day have been known to produce up to 67,914 pounds of milk in 365 days. unexcelled production, greater income over feed costs, unequaled genetic merit, and adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions Such convincing evidence of genetic superiority has created an active export market for Holstein genetics. Currently, live Holstein females and males and frozen embryos and semen are being exported to more than 50 countries and used extensively to improve foreign food supplies and dairy producer incomes.
Comparative
Genetic Relationships between Lifetime Profit and Type Traits in Spanish Holstein Cows, PDF format  Photo courtesy of West Port Holsteins,www.westportholsteins.ca |
Distribution
Holsteins can now be found on every continent and in almost every country.References (the above information was cited from the following sites)
www.ansi.okstate.edu
www.saholstein.co.za
www.westportholsteins.ca
CALIFORNIA DAIRY
Valley Ford Cheese Company Now Certified Humane
US - Valley Ford Cheese Company of Valley Ford, California has been awarded the Certified Humane label for its cheese.Valley Ford Cheese Company is located at Mountain View Jerseys, a 640 acre dairy farm in Western Sonoma County, California.
Owned by Paul Bianchi and his children Karen Bianchi-Moreda and Steve Bianchi, the farm has been operated by Bianchi/Grossi families, since 1918.
Valley Ford cheeses originate from a closed herd of over 400 Jersey cows. The closed herd concept means no outside breeding stock is ever introduced to the existing animals. Using this type of process has been shown to cut down on disease and generally produces a healthier and stronger animal.
The farm is well known for its Estero Gold Italian farmstead cheese and a new cheese Highway 1, which recently won a medal at the California State Fair. The Estero Gold is an aged artisan cheese that is made in the tradition of the Swiss-Italian canton of Ticino where the Bianchi/Grossi great grandmothers were from. Highway 1 is made in a fontina style.
“We have a lot of pride in our product and our farm, it shows the minute you enter the gates,” said owner Karen Bianchi-Moreda.
“We took the certification process and inspection very seriously, and believe me the dairy and our cheese making processes were looked over with a fine tooth comb by the HFAC inspectors. We had nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain by becoming Certified Humane®,” she added.
HFAC is the leading non-profit certification organisation improving the lives of farm animals in food production. The Certified Humane® designation assures consumers that meat, poultry, egg, or dairy products they purchase have been produced according to HFAC's precise standards for humane farm animal treatment.
Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior. Since the HFAC programme was unveiled in May 2003, more than 60 companies, representing hundreds of farms and millions of farm animals, have been certified.
Endorsed by more than 36 humane organisations, the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is nationally recognized as the Gold Standard for certifying animal welfare from birth through slaughter. HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who¹s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
Valley Ford Cheese Company products can be found in markets in Sonoma, Napa and Marin Counties, California as well as several other states and the Washington, DC area. To find out where to purchase these products visit our website www.certifiedhumane.org. For more information on the farm:www.valleyfordcheeseco.com.
TheCattleSite News Desk...THANKS
CALIFORNIA DAIRY
Valley Ford Cheese Company Now Certified Humane
US - Valley Ford Cheese Company of Valley Ford, California has been awarded the Certified Humane label for its cheese.Valley Ford Cheese Company is located at Mountain View Jerseys, a 640 acre dairy farm in Western Sonoma County, California.
Owned by Paul Bianchi and his children Karen Bianchi-Moreda and Steve Bianchi, the farm has been operated by Bianchi/Grossi families, since 1918.
Valley Ford cheeses originate from a closed herd of over 400 Jersey cows. The closed herd concept means no outside breeding stock is ever introduced to the existing animals. Using this type of process has been shown to cut down on disease and generally produces a healthier and stronger animal.
The farm is well known for its Estero Gold Italian farmstead cheese and a new cheese Highway 1, which recently won a medal at the California State Fair. The Estero Gold is an aged artisan cheese that is made in the tradition of the Swiss-Italian canton of Ticino where the Bianchi/Grossi great grandmothers were from. Highway 1 is made in a fontina style.
“We have a lot of pride in our product and our farm, it shows the minute you enter the gates,” said owner Karen Bianchi-Moreda.
“We took the certification process and inspection very seriously, and believe me the dairy and our cheese making processes were looked over with a fine tooth comb by the HFAC inspectors. We had nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain by becoming Certified Humane®,” she added.
HFAC is the leading non-profit certification organisation improving the lives of farm animals in food production. The Certified Humane® designation assures consumers that meat, poultry, egg, or dairy products they purchase have been produced according to HFAC's precise standards for humane farm animal treatment.
Animals must receive a nutritious diet without antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space sufficient to support natural behavior. Since the HFAC programme was unveiled in May 2003, more than 60 companies, representing hundreds of farms and millions of farm animals, have been certified.
Endorsed by more than 36 humane organisations, the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is nationally recognized as the Gold Standard for certifying animal welfare from birth through slaughter. HFAC’s Animal Care Standards were developed by a veritable “Who¹s Who” of national and international animal scientists and farm-animal welfare experts. Producer compliance with the HFAC standards is verified through annual on-site visits by HFAC’s third-party inspectors.
Valley Ford Cheese Company products can be found in markets in Sonoma, Napa and Marin Counties, California as well as several other states and the Washington, DC area. To find out where to purchase these products visit our website www.certifiedhumane.org. For more information on the farm:www.valleyfordcheeseco.com.
TheCattleSite News Desk...THANKS
RELIEF TO US DAIRY FARMERS
The dairy industry is tough enough, what with regulated prices, not inflation, and strict rules, which threaten to be even closer. Now that the recession, the prices in the tank (not the cost) and to weaken the demand, many dairy farmers are rethinking their business model. Get out of the dairy industry is as difficult as staying in. Prices for dairy cows has fallen and the attractiveness of a dairy, well, it's not just there.
The message from the USDA, but one good one. The dairy farmers are about to get a healthy dose of relief thanks to the state agency. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced revenue growth for the dairy farmers who would fill their pockets with 3 million, thanks to an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that will increase the budget of the Farm Services Agency.
Between now and October 2009, price increases in all areas will go a long way to alleviate the burden on dairy farmers to make their businesses run on any kind of going to think about profit. Increases were announced as follows: nonfat dry milk – 92 cents per pound (from 80 cents), Cheddar Blocks – 0.31 per pound (from (.13); Cheddar Barrel, 0.28 per pound (from .10).
In addition, the USDA Dairy Export Incentive Program reactivation, to U.S. exporters in meeting global dairy price support claims.
This comes at a time when farmers are facing increased costs decreased and feed market prices. Public programs such as the milk income loss contract (Milc not help) turn away some market participants to losses, but often the changes do not reflect the true picture of what dairy farmers are facing.
If you are a dairy operation is not netting the desired results, or if you just want to explore ways to increase your business success, consider a risk assessment carried out, including a look at your operation and your insurance coverage. It is a good way to identify any areas of improvement, which in this market is never a bad idea.
Agribusiness and Farm Insurance requires specialized knowledge of both the businessside of operations and home and property coverage. The only thing our Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Department writes, is just that – Agribusiness and Farm Insurance. We know the industry inside and out. We know which companies offer the best product in your or your clients special circumstance.
Contact http://www.insureyourfarm.com
RELIEF TO US DAIRY FARMERS
The dairy industry is tough enough, what with regulated prices, not inflation, and strict rules, which threaten to be even closer. Now that the recession, the prices in the tank (not the cost) and to weaken the demand, many dairy farmers are rethinking their business model. Get out of the dairy industry is as difficult as staying in. Prices for dairy cows has fallen and the attractiveness of a dairy, well, it's not just there.
The message from the USDA, but one good one. The dairy farmers are about to get a healthy dose of relief thanks to the state agency. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced revenue growth for the dairy farmers who would fill their pockets with 3 million, thanks to an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that will increase the budget of the Farm Services Agency.
Between now and October 2009, price increases in all areas will go a long way to alleviate the burden on dairy farmers to make their businesses run on any kind of going to think about profit. Increases were announced as follows: nonfat dry milk – 92 cents per pound (from 80 cents), Cheddar Blocks – 0.31 per pound (from (.13); Cheddar Barrel, 0.28 per pound (from .10).
In addition, the USDA Dairy Export Incentive Program reactivation, to U.S. exporters in meeting global dairy price support claims.
This comes at a time when farmers are facing increased costs decreased and feed market prices. Public programs such as the milk income loss contract (Milc not help) turn away some market participants to losses, but often the changes do not reflect the true picture of what dairy farmers are facing.
If you are a dairy operation is not netting the desired results, or if you just want to explore ways to increase your business success, consider a risk assessment carried out, including a look at your operation and your insurance coverage. It is a good way to identify any areas of improvement, which in this market is never a bad idea.
Agribusiness and Farm Insurance requires specialized knowledge of both the businessside of operations and home and property coverage. The only thing our Agribusiness and Farm Insurance Department writes, is just that – Agribusiness and Farm Insurance. We know the industry inside and out. We know which companies offer the best product in your or your clients special circumstance.
Contact http://www.insureyourfarm.com
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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