Dairy Cattle Breeds

To have dairy cattle, there is not one specific breed that is better than another. The individual farmer need to think about the climate conditions, breeding stock available in the area, and also the availability of markets for the milk and milk fat. He also needs to think about what kinds of pasture and forage crops that are available to make these decisions. Some breeds of dairy cows are better grazers and can stand the colder climates. Other breeds will consume larger amounts of roughages and concentrates and some breeds will differ as to the fat content of their milk. This needs to be a very careful selection so that the dairy cows will be the most productive. Below are the various breeds of dairy cows.

Ayrshire- These cows were originally from Scotland. They are red with white markings or white with red markings and the red can be very light or almost black. The size is between the Guernsey and the Holstein and the weight is around 1,250 pounds and the bulls from 1,600 to 2,3000 pounds. This breed is considered to be the most beautiful breed of dairy cows as the animals have level rumps, good udders and straight toplines. They also have long horns which train upward. The Ayshire are sometimes shorter and thicker around the neck than other dairy breeds. They are very nervous, active and hard to manage and are good rustlers. These cattle love to graze because of their ruggedness, stamina, and activity. They do not produce as much milk or milkfat as some other breeds.

Brown Swiss- Originated in Switzerland. Their color is from a light fawn to almost black with the muzzle and a stripe along the backbone being light. The horn tips, switch, tongue and nose are black. These are the most rugged, meatiest breed and the largest of all dairy cattle, weighing from 1,200 to 1,400 pounds and bulls weight from 1,600 to 2,400 pounds. These cows have large heads, large bones and thick, loose skin and are not as angular as other dairy breeds. They are docile, easily managed and quiet and are also good grazers as they are rugged and active. The milk is white in color and contains about 4 percent fat.

Guernsey- These originated in France. Their color is from a light fawn to red, with white markings on the legs, switch, flank and the face with some white on the body. The skin is yellow. They average from 1,100 pounds and bulls about 1,700 pounds. The Guernsey is more rugged than the Jersey. They tend to be rough over the rump and weak in the loin and the udders are less symmetrical than the Jersey. Cows of this breed are alert and active, but not nervous and are easily managed. The Guernsey is a good grazer. The milk has a golden color and is popular on the market with nearly 5 percent fat.

Holstein-Friesian- These originated in Holland. A Holstein must be black and white, and the switch must be all white. The weight is 1,250 pounds and the bulls weigh at least 1,800 pounds. Holsteins are larger than most of the animals of other breeds. They are very ruggedly built and have large feeding capacity and udders. The head is long, narrow, and straight with straight thighs and slightly rounded withers. These cows are docile and quiet but the bulls may be vicious. They are excellent grazers, especially on good pastures as they have large middles and can consume large amounts of forage. They don't thrive on poor pastures. Their milk is lower in fat than is milk from any of the other dairy breeds.

Jersey- This breed originated from England. The Jerseys vary in color from light fawn to black and from white-spotted to solid in marking. The tongue and switch may be black or white and the muzzle is black with a light encircling ring. These are the smallest of the dairy breeds with the cows from 800 to 1,100 pounds and the bulls to 1,600 pounds. They have straight toplines, level rumps, and sharp withers. Their heads have a double dish. They have excellent udders, both in shape and in fore and rear attachment. They are inclined to be nervous and sensitive. If managed well they can be pets or can be mean with poor management. The bulls can be very vicious.

They can thrive on medium to poor pastures, are small and active, and thus their maintenance requirements are lower than those of cows of the larger breeds. Their milk averages about 5.3 percent fat and contains almost l5 percent solids.