An easygoing life with VikingJersey

The VikingJersey cows are calm and easygoing, happily lying around without running away from people. Additionally, some of the more inquisitive cows walk over to their owner in hope of getting some pets. "I like being around these animals," says Kiehne. "They have a special character and are very calm and curious, which I find very rewarding."

The cows are also very easy-to-manage, and most calve inconspicuously and on their own. “You have to be careful not to miss a birth,” says the breeder with a twinkle in his eye. Kiehne also benefits from the breed’s exceptional hoof health, as thanks to their dark, strong hooves “barely ten” of his cows have ever needed hoof-trimming.

The cows have been living in a fully redesigned barn since 2022, which has greatly benefitted animal welfare at the farm. The brand-new barn includes a large straw-filled resting area, solid-floored walking surfaces, a milking robot, and a great deal of light and fresh air. 

The medium-sized Jersey cows are very appealing to dairy farmers whose buildings are now too small for the larger-framed Holsteins. This makes them ideal for those looking for the breed of the future and to improve animal welfare.

Kiehne noticed this in an increase in the demand for heifers, saying “I could sell all my stock at top prices within two weeks. Sometimes buyers only ask for one or two animals "as a trial", but many come back to ask for more,” he says.

On top of that, there are also environmental benefits, especially in terms of feed efficiency and slurry. While a Holstein cow yields a whole livestock unit (GVE), a Jersey cow's livestock unit sits at just 0.85. With environmental policy quickly becoming a priority, this is an important development for farmers aiming to reduce emissions.

The healthy, trouble-free cows give the young farmer smoother working hours, and reduce vet and feed costs, resulting in an easygoing life. This allows Kiehne to spend more time with his family, especially as he and his wife await their second child’s birth.

"My wife and I knew from the start that we wouldn't be earning millions with dairy farming," he says looking back. "What is important to us is having enough time for the family," he ends.