Abstract #M157

# M157
Survey of top-producing Jersey herds in the United States.
Sarah Y. Morrison*1, Kristen M. Glosson1, James. H. Baltz1, Michael F. Hutjens1, Cari W. Wolfe2, 1University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2American Jersey Cattle Association, Reynoldsburg, OH.

With the Jersey breed increasing in numbers, limited research data and practical information are available to feed high-producing Jersey cows. A survey of current practices of feeding and management on high-producing Jersey farms in the United States was conducted to gather Jersey-specific information that could be applied to future research and extension applications. The top producing herds were identified through the American Jersey Cattle Association. The survey was administered electronically and included herd parameters and management questions. Herd owners were also requested to provide access to their dairy records processing center, ration summaries for lactating and dry cow groups, and forage test results. A total of 38 herds completed the survey to be included in the final analysis. Several questions related to Jersey herd management were addressed, including effects of (1) level of production; (2) recombinant (r)bST use; (3) herd size; and (4) mixed herds. Data were analyzed in SAS. A tendency for the higher producing herds (RHA milk >8981 kg) to milk more than 2×/d (P = 0.11) and have lower incidence of metritis (P = 0.10) was observed. rbST use did not affect production measurements, but herds that used rbST (n = 25) were more likely to milk more than 2×/d (P = 0.02) and push up feed more times per day (P = 0.03). No differences in health were observed. Larger farms (>200 cows) had no difference in production parameters, but tended to milk more and push up feed more frequently. Herds that were mixed (% Jersey <100) tended to have lower SCC (P = 0.08), more frequent milkings per day (P = 0.09), higher percentage of weigh backs (P = 0.06), and significantly less ketosis (P = 0.04). These comparisons can assist Jersey producers in understanding management and production differences between farms while providing benchmarks and areas of opportunity for Jersey farms across the United States.

Key Words: Jersey, survey, managment