Milk production up and up

Roscio cows aren‘t grazed, and are instead given a single daily feed of maize silage, groundnut hay and maize leaves, as well as concentrates.

In this article, a Northern Cape Jersey stud breeder revealed how he was able to steadily improve milk yield by using selection based on production records.

Former policeman Jacob Hayward, who farms on Eldorado farm near Kuruman, has improved the average lactation of his Roscio Jersey Stud by more than 50% over the past 20 years.

Apart from the stunning production increase, this herd is also one of the finest in the Northern Cape with regard to conformation and general quality.

Hayward ascribes his success to always having used good bulls and selection based on production records and conformation. He has always retained the female progeny from the better cows.

His Jerseys average 18,36kg of milk, with a butterfat and protein content of 5,04% and 3,77% respectively.

Hayward’s management is outstanding. The dairy is neat and run methodically by three women workers.

A participant in the national milk recording scheme, Hayward knows his cows and what each one produces. He practises zero grazing, and a single feed comprising maize silage, groundnut hay and maize leaves is fed to all the animals.

DAILY FEED

The cows eat an average of 19,46kg of this feed a day, plus 350g of concentrates (pellets) are fed during the twice-daily milkings.