Newborn is gone, whats a Jersey cow to do?

Or more appropriately, what's an inexperienced new owner to do?

Just milk her twice a day since she doesn't have a calf to suckle?

Three times a day??

I just know that Jerseys are prolific producers and I'm feeling unprepared for the onslaught....

I don't have answers to your questions but I do anticipate a family cow early next year and I am planning on going with a Jersey.  I too am in the Ozarks, in Cabool actually.  I am looking for local support for Jerseys and hope to buy local.  Any suggestions for that would be appreciated.

The calf is back!

Thankfully dont actually need the answer to this question.

Billy, is this your first time with a dairy cow as well? So much to learn!

Just so you have the answer available, should you ever need it.

Jersey cows are milked morning and evening when in a dairy environment.
When with a calf that has not weaned, those mothers are milked once a day.
This occurs usually at the evening milking.
There is the option of boarding the calf and mother separate from the herd and not milking her at all until the calf is weaned, but usually that reduces the milk production of the mother after the calf is weaned.

I'm glad the calf is back, where did it go?

Presumably the mother hid the calf. Talked with a lot of friends and some told me they've had to walk their WHOLE property to find the calves sometimes. Because they're so vulnerable when they're so small, it just instinctual.


Thanks for the reply! Perhaps someone else will need this forum in the future. Love that about these forums, might be years since anyone said anything, but the thread and information remains!

Very true, they will do that if they are free ranging.