A stud Jersey cow breeder in Gippsland has used Gyr semen in a couple of his Jersey cows for the second year in a row — and has plans to use the Gyr/Jersey heifers in his herd.
Simon Reid, of Jackiah Jerseys at Trafalgar East, said the heifer calves born in 2023 will be included in the herd after they calve next year.
For many years Mr Reid used Speckle Park semen in some of his dairy cows, but has begun moving away from the dairy/beef cross.
Consequently, he has been looking for an alternate cross that can be milked.
"I looked around and liked what I read about the Gyr cow, which is milked in India and Brazil," Simon said.
"I was looking for a breed with a point of difference.“
Two calves were born on the same day in mid-March, but Simon and his partner, Belinda Egan, have only kept one out of this crop.
Another farmer purchased the Jersey cow with Gyr/Jersey calf at foot on the day it was born.
The Gyr cow is an Indian breed of zebuine cattle, used in the dairy and beef industry.
"Because this calf is out of a Jersey cow, the lump in her neck from the Gyr genetics will remain small," Simon said.