She's proud to be an American

She's proud to be an American.  Or this post may be subtitled, the History of the Jersey milk cow.  Lee Greenwood sings, "I'm proud to be an American" and no matter how many times I hear it, it still gives me goosebumps.  I'm proud to be an American as well.  Even though Rosie looks mighty darn patriotic standing in front of the American flag we painted on the side of our small "goat barn," her ancestors were not natives to America.

I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free!

The Jersey milk cow is a breed that originated from the British Channel island of the same name, Jersey, and probably came from Normandy.   She is a small breed of cattle, weighing between 800 - 1,100 pounds and as a result costs less to raise.  They are very gentle cows, but can be quite nervous at times.  The Jersey was first known as a separate breed of cattle in 1700.  The island of Jersey forbade the importation of cattle, thus maintaining the purity of the breed.  A neighboring island, Guernsey, is home to another breed of milk cow, named Guernsey, of course.  In 1910, about 1,000 head per year were imported to the United States and the Jersey is now the fastest growing breed of dairy cow in the world.


"Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, Your Jersey cows that produce wonderful milk with  high butterfat content..."

While cows aren't covered in the United State's Declaration of Independence that gives humans certain inalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we do our best at Our Maker's Acres Family Farm to ensure our cows have a great life.  Although they don't have complete liberty to roam around outside the perimeter fence, Daisy, Rosie and Magnolia do have a certain amount of freedom that other cows would probably envy, if cows could experience that emotion.  And last of all they certainly are free to pursue happiness.

For amber waves of grain (or hay)

That is important to us as well, for happy cows produce great milk as well as other great dairy products.