Birdsong Sweet Summertime -ET GP 80
BIRDSONG SWEET SUMMERTIME -ET was born on July 21, 2018, and she will be celebrating her 4th birthday next month. She is a standard Jersey, and stands __ inches tall when measured to the top of her hip.
Pedigree & Genetics: Summertime is a registered purebred Jersey; please click here to view her pedigree from Jersey Canada.
Summertime's dam, GAYMAR ASTRO FANCIER SUP-EX 90 3-E, was bred by Don Hendrickson of Gaymar Jerseys. Don registered his first heifers with the Gaymar prefix in 1957 and bred award-winning Jerseys for the next 61 years. In 2003 he was made an Honourary Life Member of Jersey Canada, and in 2009 he was presented with the prestigious Jersey Canada Master Breeder award, which recognizes long-term excellence in breeding Jersey cows.
Summertime's sire, RIVER VALLEY CECE CHROME ET, was bred by River Valley Farm and semen was sold by Select Sires. Chrome is backed by three generations of excellent cows. His dam, Cece, is EX 91 and was one of the favourite cows in the robot milking barn at River Valley, while his 94-point grandam, Character, impressed everyone that saw her at Lyon Jerseys with her massive strength, power, and great udder.
The ET suffix on Summertime's name indicates that she was conceived by embryo transfer. I flushed her dam, Fancier, and implanted the embryos in Holstein recipients; Summertime is the oldest of the four siblings and the first of Fancier's calves to carry the Birdsong prefix. Her sister, BIRDSONG GYPSY MOON ET VG 85, is part of my milking herd, while her two brothers, BIRDSONG GLACIER FIRE ET and BIRDSONG NORTHERN FROST ET, are herd bulls on dairy farms in the Shuswap and Central Alberta.
Summertime was parentage verified and genomic tested with the Low Density SNP panel (Genomic Case #CDN19958008). She has a Genomic Lifetime Profit Index (GLPI) of 1,157 (Apr*22, 57% reliability), is tested free of the JH1 and JNS haplotypes, and her inbreeding percentage is 4.17%.
Summertime's dam, GAYMAR ASTRO FANCIER SUP-EX 90 3-E, was bred by Don Hendrickson of Gaymar Jerseys. Don registered his first heifers with the Gaymar prefix in 1957 and bred award-winning Jerseys for the next 61 years. In 2003 he was made an Honourary Life Member of Jersey Canada, and in 2009 he was presented with the prestigious Jersey Canada Master Breeder award, which recognizes long-term excellence in breeding Jersey cows.
Summertime's sire, RIVER VALLEY CECE CHROME ET, was bred by River Valley Farm and semen was sold by Select Sires. Chrome is backed by three generations of excellent cows. His dam, Cece, is EX 91 and was one of the favourite cows in the robot milking barn at River Valley, while his 94-point grandam, Character, impressed everyone that saw her at Lyon Jerseys with her massive strength, power, and great udder.
The ET suffix on Summertime's name indicates that she was conceived by embryo transfer. I flushed her dam, Fancier, and implanted the embryos in Holstein recipients; Summertime is the oldest of the four siblings and the first of Fancier's calves to carry the Birdsong prefix. Her sister, BIRDSONG GYPSY MOON ET VG 85, is part of my milking herd, while her two brothers, BIRDSONG GLACIER FIRE ET and BIRDSONG NORTHERN FROST ET, are herd bulls on dairy farms in the Shuswap and Central Alberta.
Summertime was parentage verified and genomic tested with the Low Density SNP panel (Genomic Case #CDN19958008). She has a Genomic Lifetime Profit Index (GLPI) of 1,157 (Apr*22, 57% reliability), is tested free of the JH1 and JNS haplotypes, and her inbreeding percentage is 4.17%.
Calves & Breeding: Summertime's first calf, BIRDSONG OP ERNEST, was born on October 17, 2020, and is a herd bull on a dairy farm in the South Cariboo. Her second calf and first heifer, BIRDSONG SEPTEMBER SUNRISE, was born on September 27, 2021.
Summertime was bred with ST-LO VIDEO ET on January 4, 2022, and the due date for her third calf is October 9, 2022. The vet sexed the calf as a bull.
When breeding Summertime, I recommend looking for a bull that can ________.
Summertime has a history of getting pregnant easily; as a heifer, she was bred twice (first breeding was timed AI, second breeding was on a standing heat). For her second and now third pregnancies, she caught on the first breeding.
Summertime was bred with ST-LO VIDEO ET on January 4, 2022, and the due date for her third calf is October 9, 2022. The vet sexed the calf as a bull.
When breeding Summertime, I recommend looking for a bull that can ________.
Summertime has a history of getting pregnant easily; as a heifer, she was bred twice (first breeding was timed AI, second breeding was on a standing heat). For her second and now third pregnancies, she caught on the first breeding.
Milking: Summertime is in her second lactation and currently producing around __ kilograms of milk a day (1 kilogram = 1 litre). She should be dried off by August 9, 2022, to allow for a 60-day dry period before her next calf is born.
Summertime has been machine milked in a parlour for her entire 'career.' Her front teats are between __ and __ inches in length. Her
Summertime is on DHI milk test, with 12,799 kilograms of milk at 5.0% fat and 3.8% protein recorded so far.
Summertime has been machine milked in a parlour for her entire 'career.' Her front teats are between __ and __ inches in length. Her
Summertime is on DHI milk test, with 12,799 kilograms of milk at 5.0% fat and 3.8% protein recorded so far.
Milk Test: lactation 1
Test Date |
DIM |
Milk |
Fat % |
Protein % |
SCC |
Oct 21, 2020 |
5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Nov 25, 2020 |
40 |
32 |
5.5 |
3.4 |
33,000 |
Jan 3, 2021 |
79 |
30 |
4.7 |
3.4 |
84,000 |
Feb 4, 2021 |
111 |
28 |
4.6 |
3.6 |
40,000 |
Mar 10, 2021 |
145 |
25 |
4.7 |
3.5 |
48,000 |
Apr 12, 2021 |
178 |
24 |
5.2 |
3.8 |
86,000 |
May 19, 2021 |
215 |
25 |
4.7 |
3.6 |
95,000 |
Jul 8, 2021 |
265 |
14 |
7.4 |
5.0 |
6,302,000 |
Aug 6, 2021 |
294 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Milk Test: Lactation 2
Test Date |
DIM |
Milk |
Fat % |
Protein % |
SCC |
Oct 31, 2021 |
16 |
32 |
4.7 |
3.7 |
138,000 |
Nov 18, 2021 |
52 |
32 |
- |
- |
- |
Jan 10, 2022 |
105 |
25 |
5.2 |
3.9 |
109,000 |
Feb 15, 2022 |
141 |
22 |
4.7 |
4.0 |
130,000 |
Mar 23, 2022 |
177 |
21 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
74,000 |
I test all my Jerseys for milk proteins, and Summertime is A2/A2 for Beta Casein A2, AA for Beta Casein AB, AB for Kappa Casein, and AB for Beta Lactoglobulin.
What are milk proteins? Milk is composed of water, lactose, fat, proteins, and minerals. Beta Casein A2, Beta Casein AB, and Kappa Casein are milk proteins, while Beta Lactoglobulin is a whey protein.
The A2 variant of Beta Casein A2 is associated with increased digestibility for about 25% of the population. Anecdotal evidence and data from several small human studies indicate that about 1 in 4 people are sensitive to the A1 protein, and drinking milk or eating dairy products from A1/A1 or A1/A2 cows can cause digestive upsets. (Read my CowTales post, What is A2 Milk?, to learn more about Beta Casein A2.)
The A variant of Kappa Casein is associated with higher milk production; the B variant is associated with improved rennet coagulation properties and increased cheese yield and is favoured by cheesemakers.
The A variant of Beta Lactoglobulin is associated with increased milk yield and higher whey protein content, while the B variant is associated with a lower milk yield and increased casein and fat content. The B variant is more favourable for cheese production.
The A2 variant of Beta Casein A2 is associated with increased digestibility for about 25% of the population. Anecdotal evidence and data from several small human studies indicate that about 1 in 4 people are sensitive to the A1 protein, and drinking milk or eating dairy products from A1/A1 or A1/A2 cows can cause digestive upsets. (Read my CowTales post, What is A2 Milk?, to learn more about Beta Casein A2.)
The A variant of Kappa Casein is associated with higher milk production; the B variant is associated with improved rennet coagulation properties and increased cheese yield and is favoured by cheesemakers.
The A variant of Beta Lactoglobulin is associated with increased milk yield and higher whey protein content, while the B variant is associated with a lower milk yield and increased casein and fat content. The B variant is more favourable for cheese production.
Classification & Prizes: Summertime was classified as Good Plus 80 at __ years and __ months of age.
Summertime's dam, Fancier, is an award-winning, three-time Excellent cow from Don Hendrickson's 'F' family. Fancier was classified as Very Good 85 at 2 years, 4 months; Very Good 87 at 4 years, 11 months; and as Excellent 90 three times: at 6 years, 6 months; at 7 years, 6 months; and again at 10 years, 5 months for a final score of SUP-EX 90 3-E. She received 90 points for mammary system, and 93 for feet and legs. You can view her classification scorecard here.
Fancier won ribbons and awards in the show ring as well. In 2010 she was 1st place 5-year-old and Reserve Grand Champion at the Armstrong IPE. In 2012 she was 1st place Mature Cow and Reserve Grand Champion at the Chilliwack Exhibition and 1st place Mature Cow at the Armstrong IPE. In 2015, several months after her 10th birthday, she won 2nd place Mature Cow at the Armstrong IPE.
Summertime's sister, Gypsy Moon, was classified as Good Plus 82 at __ years and __ months of age, and as Very Good 85 at __ years and __ months of age.
Health History & Disease Testing: preventative magnet, disease testing highlights
Fancier won ribbons and awards in the show ring as well. In 2010 she was 1st place 5-year-old and Reserve Grand Champion at the Armstrong IPE. In 2012 she was 1st place Mature Cow and Reserve Grand Champion at the Chilliwack Exhibition and 1st place Mature Cow at the Armstrong IPE. In 2015, several months after her 10th birthday, she won 2nd place Mature Cow at the Armstrong IPE.
Summertime's sister, Gypsy Moon, was classified as Good Plus 82 at __ years and __ months of age, and as Very Good 85 at __ years and __ months of age.
Health History & Disease Testing: preventative magnet, disease testing highlights
What is BLV? BLV, or Bovine Leukemia Virus, is
Foot rot, teat injury & subsequent mastitis, cystic
See below for Summertime's complete health history.
See below for Summertime's complete health history.
Health History: Heifer
Date |
Description |
Jul 21, 2018 |
Summertime born |
Mar 22, 2019 |
Dehorned by vet (chop and cauterize) |
Jul 14, 2019 |
Heat |
Jul 23, 2019 |
Heat |
Aug 6, 2019 |
Heat |
Sep 11, 2019 |
Vet check; watch for heat |
Sep 25, 2019 |
Vet check; watch for heat |
Oct 9, 2019 |
Vet check; watch for heat |
Nov 6, 2019 |
Vet check; popped cyst |
Nov 12, 2019 |
Heat |
Nov 20, 2019 |
Vet check; short-sync program (timed AI) |
Nov 23, 2019 |
Heat; bred with St-Lo Nuance |
Dec 31, 2019 |
Preg check; open |
Jan 8, 2020 |
Heat; bred with Dutch Hollow Oliver -P |
Feb 12, 2020 |
Preg check; pregnant (35 days) |
May 6, 2020 |
Preg check; pregnant (119 days) |
May 18, 2020 |
Magnet to prevent hardware disease |
Jul 15, 2020 |
Preg check; pregnant (189 days) |
Sep 25, 2020 |
Vaccination; Covein Plus 2 cc Sub-Q, J-Vac 2 cc IM, Dystosel 10 cc Sub-Q |
Oct 14, 2020 |
Disease testing: Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV), negative; Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), negative; Johne's, negative; Neospora, negative |
Health History: Lactation 1
Date |
Description |
Oct 16, 2020 |
Normal calving; live bull calf (Birdsong OP Ernest) |
Nov 18, 2020 |
Vet check; ready to breed |
Dec 3, 2020 |
Food rot; treated with Excenel |
Dec 4, 2020 |
Heat |
Dec 22, 2020 |
Heat; bred with St-Lo Video |
Jan 27, 2021 |
Preg check; pregnant (36 days) |
Jun 30, 2021 |
Preg check; pregnant (190 days) |
Jul 9, 2021 |
Teat injury: RR was cut but milk canal is fine; FL tip was ripped off and treated with Spectramast LC IMM, Anafen 20 cc IM |
Jul 28, 2021 |
FL teat end healing but the quarter is a little junky again; treated with Spectramast LC IMM |
Aug 18, 2021 |
Dried off; dry treated with Spectramast DC |
Sep 17, 2021 |
Vaccination: Covexin Plus 2cc Sub-Q, Kelbsiella 2cc Sub-Q, Dystosel 10 cc Sub-Q |
Health History: Lactation 2
Date |
Description |
Sep 27, 2021 |
Normal calving; live heifer calf (Birdsong September Sunrise) |
Oct 20, 2021 |
Vet check; cystic |
Nov 3, 2021 |
Vet check; cystic |
Nov 17, 2021 |
Vet check; ready to breed |
Nov 22, 2021 |
Heat |
Dec 12, 2021 |
Heat |
Dec 28, 2021 |
Vet check; watch for heat |
Jan 4, 2022 |
Heat; bred with St-Lo Video |
Jan 26, 2022 |
Disease testing: Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV), positive |
Feb 8, 2022 |
Preg check; positive (36 days) |
Apr 5, 2022 |
Preg check: positive (91 days); fetus sexed as a bull |
May 17, 2022 |
Preg check: positive (133 days) |
May 19, 2022 |
Disease testing: white blood cell count 8.89 (4.0-12.0 normal range) and Lymphocytes 5.64 (2.5-7.5 normal range) |
May 31, 2022 |
Disease testing: |
Price: I am asking $4,200 for Summertime. Reason for selling
I've compiled a folder with all of Summertime's paperwork for her new owner, including a copy of her registration papers, her parentage verification certificate, her certificate of production, her milk protein DNA test report, her ___ genomic report, the disease testing report from the vet, and her health and breeding records. Her buyer will also receive one year of complimentary Family Milk Cow Mentoring sessions ($760 value).
If Summertime sounds like your dream cow, I'd like to invite you to schedule an initial interview with me. The purpose of the initial interview is to assess whether Summertime might be the right cow for you and your family. I'll be asking you questions about your farm and what you're looking for in a family milk cow, and you can ask me all of your questions about Summertime. Buying a cow is a significant investment, and I want Summertime's buyer to be 100% satisfied with their purchase.
I've compiled a folder with all of Summertime's paperwork for her new owner, including a copy of her registration papers, her parentage verification certificate, her certificate of production, her milk protein DNA test report, her ___ genomic report, the disease testing report from the vet, and her health and breeding records. Her buyer will also receive one year of complimentary Family Milk Cow Mentoring sessions ($760 value).
If Summertime sounds like your dream cow, I'd like to invite you to schedule an initial interview with me. The purpose of the initial interview is to assess whether Summertime might be the right cow for you and your family. I'll be asking you questions about your farm and what you're looking for in a family milk cow, and you can ask me all of your questions about Summertime. Buying a cow is a significant investment, and I want Summertime's buyer to be 100% satisfied with their purchase.