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My Jersey cow is almost four years old and due to calve in two weeks. In her first lactation, she was giving 7 gallons a day on a commercial dairy. I want to use her strictly for raising calves. She has never done this before. How/when should I introduce the new calves? She will be raising three, including her own. Also, we have good grass, but what ration should I feed her. and when should I wean the calves?

Last Updated: August 28, 2007

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Plan to have additional calves ready to suckle the cow the day of or the next day after she has her calf. You will need to observe the cow to be sure she accepts the other calves in addition to her own. Some cows have a tendency not to accept other calves. Hopefully, your cow will accept with no problems. You can wean the calves any time after two months old. However, since you want the cow to be a nurse cow only, you can leave the calves nursing for an extended time or wean the first set of four calves and try to have her nurse another set of two to four calves, depending on how much the cow is producing. Feed for the cow should include good quality grass/legume hay and approximately 12 to 15 pounds of a 16 percent protein complete dairy feed. Dave Fischer, Extension Dairy Educator, University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET

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