Jersey is a dairy cattle breed originating from the island of Jersey in the English Channel. The breed is known for its small size, high butterfat milk, and efficient grazing ability. Jersey milk averages 4.5 to 5.5 percent butterfat, the highest of any dairy breed, making it ideal for cheese and butter production.
Jersey cattle were developed in isolation on the island of Jersey, where importation of other cattle was prohibited by law from 1763 to 2008. The breed was first imported to the United States in the 1850s. The American Jersey Cattle Association was founded in 1868. Jerseys were historically popular for farmstead dairying due to their small size and efficient production on limited acreage.
Jerseys are the smallest dairy breed, with mature cows weighing 350 to 450 kilograms and bulls weighing 550 to 750 kilograms. The coat ranges from light fawn to dark brown, often with a dark switch and muzzle. Jerseys are docile, efficient grazers, and adapt well to warm climates. They are known for calving ease, longevity, and high feed efficiency relative to body size.
Dairy production is the primary purpose of Jersey cattle. The high butterfat content of Jersey milk makes it ideal for butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Their small size and efficient grazing make them well-suited to small homesteads with limited acreage. Jerseys produce less total milk than Holsteins but more milk solids per unit of body weight.