Breeds of Cows Directory: "J"

Breeds of Cows Directory: "J": Jamaica Black - Jersey

[Source: Domestic Animal Diversity Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations]

Jamaica Black

Links: Domestic Animal Info @ UN | Oklahoma State University

In the early 1900's Angus were imported to the island of Jamaica. Breeds which with zebu breeding were already in use so naturally the zebu were mated with the imported Angus. The result is a breed more similar in appearance to Brangus than Angus. The breed is 1/4 to 3/8 zebu. They are polled and have a slight cervical hump. Jamaica Black cattle also have more skin in the dewlap and underline than Brangus.[Oklahoma State University] Editors note: this may be the same breed as "Jamaica Black Poll" however the UN has the breeds listed separately at this time.

Jamaica Black Poll (see also Jamaica Black)

Links: Domestic Animal Info @ UN | (no listing) Oklahoma State University

recently introduced; locally adapted. [Source: Domestic Animal Diversity Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations]

Jamaica Hope, Also Known As: Jersey-Zebu, Montgomery-Jersey

Links: Domestic Animal Info @ UN | Oklahoma State University

The Hope Farm began, in 1910, to develop a breed of dairy cattle adapted to the climate of the island. The exact breeds used over the next several years to develop the Jamaica Hope is a complex mix as over twelve breed were tried. However, the current breed is approximately 80% Jersey, 15% zebu (primarily from a single Sahiwal bull) and 5% Holstein. The Jamaica Hope comprises approximately 80% of the cattle on the island. Mature cows average 2500 kg per lactation and weigh about 500 kg (1100 pounds). Males usually weight between 700 and 800 kg (1500 - 1800 lbs).[Oklahoma State University]

Jamaica Red, Also Known As: Goodhope Red, Jamaica Red Poll

Links: Domestic Animal Info @ UN | Oklahoma State University

The Jamaica Red was developed from Red Poll cattle with limited amounts of zebu breeding introduced to increase the adaptation of the breed to the climate. The original Red Poll cattle were imported from England during the late 19th century and were used to improve the milk production of the native cattle. A number of the herd remained relatively pure with the possible inclusion of South Devon. It was these herd which the zebu breeding was introduced to increase their tolerance of the region. There were continuing inportation of cattle from England which limited the influence of the zebu blood in the breed. Breeders also select against animals with humps or excess dewlaps or sheaths which also had the effect of restricting the amount of zebu. Selection continued to be for high milk production without sacrifice of the beefiness of the animal. A breed society for the Jamaica Red was formed in 1952. Some of these animals have been imported to Central and South America. The mature bulls weigh about 1000 kg (2200 pounds) and females weigh 600 kg (1300 pounds).[Oklahoma State University] Editors note: the UN has this breed listed separetly from the "Jamaica Red Poll".

Jamaic Red Poll (see also Jamaica Red - Above)

Links: Domestic Animal Info @ UN | (none) Oklahoma State University

recently introduced; locally adapted. [Source: Domestic Animal Diversity Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations] Editor's Note: Oklahoma State University says this is the same as "Jamaica Red".

Jathi madu see Umblachery

Jaulan, Also known by: Bisre, Khamissi

Links: Domestic Animal Info @ UN | Oklahoma State University

Although showing similar marking to a Holstein or Friesan, the Jaulan is an unrelated breed found in many moutainolus areas of Syria. Found both with short horns and polled, the Jaulan is the strongest and most muscular of the Oksh group. The oxen are good work animals and the females have suffiecient milk yeilds for family use. A mature female will weight between 300 and 400 kg.[Oklahoma State University]

Jersey

Links: too many varieties of this breed (search the site for per-country info) Domestic Animal Info @ UN | Oklahoma State University

The Jersey breed originated on the Island of Jersey, a small British island in the English Channel off the coast of France. The Jersey is one of the oldest dairy breeds, having been reported by authorities as being purebred for nearly six centuries. The breed was known in England as early as 1771 and was regarded very favorably because of its milk and butterfat production. At that early date, the cattle of Jersey island were commonly referred to as Alderney cattle although the cattle of this island were later referred to only as Jerseys. Jersey cattle were brought to the United States in the 1850's. Adaptable to a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions, outstanding Jersey herds are found from Denmark to Australia and New Zealand, from Canada to South America, and from South Africa to Japan. They are excellent grazers and perform well in intensive grazing programs. They are more tolerant of heat than the larger breeds. With an average weight of 900 pounds, the Jersey produces more pounds of milk per pound of body weight than any other breed. Most Jerseys produce far in excess of 13 times their bodyweight in milk each lactation. The modern Jersey breed is unexcelled in dairy type. Breeders in the United States commonly referred to two distinct types of Jerseys in the past, these being the Island and the American; this distinction is not commonly made at present. It should be recalled that this is a different usage of the word "type" than is usually implied and refers to the general size and quality of the animal rather than to its use for dairy purposes. The Island-type Jerseys excelled in refinement and those qualities that were deemed necessary to win in the show ring. Refinement and beauty of such cattle in mature form led to the marked superiority of cattle imported from the island of Jersey or their direct descendants in winning most of the major awards of the American show ring. The so-called American-type Jerseys were noted much more for production than for beauty. Cattle referred to by this description are usually larger, a bit coarser, and have been bred for years for those qualities that suit them for milk and butterfat production. Some have referred to them as the "Farmer's" Jersey. Usually after two or three generations in the United States in the hands of the ordinary feeder, the refinement of the Island cattle gives way to the larger and less refined American kind. In recent years there has been less concern about these type variations; no doubt the program of type classification has tended to reduce the extremes. Additional emphasis on milk production and less stress on butterfat production had, no doubt, resulted in general acceptance of Jersey cows with more size and scale. Recent importations of Jerseys have consisted of larger cattle than many previously brought to the United States. Their offspring have not only been acceptable in type but have also been used advantageously in improving production. Cows show very marked refinement about their heads and shoulders, carry long, straight top lines, and usually carry out long and level at the rump. For their size, they are usually deep in the body and full and deep in the barrel. There is no more appealing dairy animal than the well-balanced Jersey cow, and although usually somewhat more nervous in disposition than the other dairy cows, she is usually docile and rather easy to manage. Jersey cows usually have an extreme weight range of between 800 and 1200 pounds, but medium-sized cows are usually preferred. Jersey bulls, while small as compared to the other dairy breeds, are extremely masculine. They are quite muscular about their crests and shoulders and are considerably less refined throughout than are the females. The same general qualities of straight lines and diary conformation as are found in the cows are desired in bulls. They usually range in weight from 1200 to 1800 pounds, but as in the females, medium weights are usually preferred. Jersey bulls are known for having the least docile temperament of the common breeds of cattle. It is folly to trust any dairy bull and particularly Jerseys past eighteen months of age. Modern Jerseys may be of a wide range in color. There is little preference today between the solid and broken colors although most breeders slightly prefer the cattle with an unbroken color pattern. Most prefer the dark tongue and switch, but this is more a matter of an identification point than a point of discrimination. The color in Jerseys may vary from a very light gray or mouse color to a very dark fawn or a shade that is almost black. Both the bulls and females are commonly darker about the hips and about the head and shoulders than on the body. Most breeders slightly prefer the medium shades of color to the extremes, but nearly all of them realize that type and producing ability are far more important than the shade of color or whether the color is solid or broken. [Oklahoma State University]