A type of cattle that's been around since the 1400s. It originated on the Island of Jersey, a small British island that is closer to France. They were brought to the United States in the 1850s.
Jerseys are good dairy cows because they have high milk and butterfat production, and because they can live in a wide range of climatic and geological conditions.
Jerseys are light brown or grey, and are docile and easy to handle, although they are more jumpy than most dairy breads. The cows weigh between 800 and 1200 pounds, and the bulls between 1200 to 1800 pounds.
Most jersey cows produce in excess of 13 times their bodyweight in milk each lactation (a 'lactation' is defined as the period following birth during which milk is secreted, not a single milking).