The Jersey breed originated over 600 years ago on the Island of
Jersey, located in the English Channel between France and
England. Today, outstanding herds of Jerseys can be found from
Denmark to New Zealand, from Canada to South America, and from
South Africa to Japan. The first Jerseys to be registered by the
American Jersey Cattle Association were imported to the United
States in 1850, but cattle from Jersey Island had been imported
to this country much earlier. Today, there are almost 400,000
Jersey cows in the United States and they are an important part
of the dairy industry in all 50 states. California has the most
Jersey cows, followed by Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and
Ohio. Jersey calves weigh about 55 pounds at birth. Mature
Jersey females usually weigh about 950 pounds and males about
1,500 pounds. Jerseys reach maturity the earliest of all dairy
breeds and are efficient reproducers. They also have the longest
productive life, or longevity in the milking herd, of any dairy
breed. Jerseys are