Polled: Friesian vs. Celtic

POLLED GENETICS

Naturally Polled cattle have been selectively bred to lack horns. Our first calves were born with horned genetics. We had our vet remove them with the traditional "scoop" method. It was barbaric and painful. Both heifers grew back their horns. We'll never do that again. Now, if we have a calf born unlucky (Pf/H bred to Pf/H = 25% chance of horns), we dehorn using Dr. Naylor's Caustic Paste. It deadens the nerves quickly and kills the horn root. It never fails if done when the calf is a day or two old, and the horns won't grow in.

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There are two types of Polled genetics, a Polled Friesian allele (Pf) and a Polled Celtic allele (Pc). The Friesian polled gene has a different origin and specific genetic marker than the Celtic polled gene. Cattle that carry the Friesian Polled allele are dairy breeds such as Holstein-Friesians, Jerseys, and Guernsey. Whereas, the Celtic polled gene is found in dual and beef breeds like Dexter, Hereford, Highland, Angus, Charolais, Brahman, Mini Zebu, and Limousin.

ALL OF OUR POLLED MINI JERSEYS ARE POLLED FRIESIAN

We've selected Polled Friesian genetics because we want to maintain Jersey dairy traits. We never want beef traits in our miniature Jersey dairy cattle. When you see Polled Celtic in a "Mini Jersey" you KNOW they're not actually miniaturized Jerseys but likely a Dexter/Jersey cross.

• A cross with Pc could gain weight easily on grass alone, rendering that "easy keeper" infertile in a very short timeframe.
• The udder of a beef cow is not intended to produce extra above what her calf needs. So, production will likely take a hit, leaving less, if any, milk for you to collect for your family or to sell.
• The udder of a beef cow has fat teats that point forward. That works well to grow a big beef calf quickly, but they're not friendly for a milk machine or for handmilking. Yes, they can be milked, but so could a buffalo or a horse. They just aren't built for milking like a level udder with long teats that point toward the ground.
• Beef cattle often range and need to have a temperament for survival. She may protect her calf from you and be dangerous. That makes for a great beef cow but a terrible family dairy cow.

The great thing about Polled genetics is that a calf only needs to inherit one allele to be born Polled. When either parent carries two Polled markers, that's the only gene they can pass, so all their offspring are Polled.

We have 2 Pf pOLLED Purebred Mini Jersey bulls available in AI

• North Woods Renegade-PP is Pf/Pf, A2/A2, 42" @ 2 yrs. All his calves will be Polled.
• North Woods Lumberjack-P is Pf/H, A2/A2, 39.75" @ 17 months. 50% of his calves will be born Polled.

SHOP POLLED PUREBRED MINI JERSEY AI STRAWS

Warmly,
Milkmaid Lorinda