Jerseys have their own requirements and different nutritional challenges that we must consider when formulating rations.

Crossbreeding to beef sires is a powerful management tool at the dairy farmer's disposal using superior sexed dairy semen for heifers and beef semen for cows. This combination can significantly impact a herd's genetics and overall net return.

“I used to raise a lot of heifers just because it was cheap to raise them and if one didn’t work out, there were others to replace her,” Souza says. “That doesn’t work anymore. You have to be very intentional with the heifers you choose to raise.”

In the city of Garnett, Kansas, sits the registered Jersey cattle herd of Ratliff Jerseys, started over 20 years ago by Ron and Christy Ratliff, with the help of Christy’s brother Mike Kennedy. Together, the trio has bred, raised and sold numerous championship and nationally recognized Jersey cows.