Dairy cows come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many times a Holstein dairy cow will be used to represent all cattle, beef included, because the black and white Holstein is the most recognized breed of cow in the world... just ask Chik-Fil-A fans!
Holsteins are the dominant breed of dairy cow in the United States due to their ability to produce large volumes of fluid milk, but a study of the origins of dairy breeds points out that conditions dictate form and form follows function.
The Holsteins originated on the vast grasslands of the Netherlands, where the dairy owners of the area bred an animal that could utilize large amounts of forage. Holsteins (or Holstein-Friesian) cattle are large, stylish animals with color patterns of black and white or red and white. A healthy Holstein calf weighs 90 pounds or more at birth.
A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1,500 pounds and stands 58 inches tall at the shoulder. Holstein heifers can be bred at 13 months of age, when they weigh about 800 pounds. It is desirable to have Holstein females calve for the first time between 23 and 26 months of age. The 2011 average actual production for all U.S. Holstein herds that were enrolled in production-testing programs and eligible for genetic evaluations was 23,385 pounds of milk (2,719 gallons), 858 pounds of butterfat and 719 pounds of protein per year.
Top producing Holsteins milked three times a day have been known to produce over 72,000 pounds of milk (8,372 gallons) in 365 days. This high production and the fact that fluid milk brings the highest price at the farm gate (see last week’s article) has driven the growth of Holstein breeding in this country. Ninety percent of our dairy herds are Holsteins.
Another large dairy breed (in terms of physicality) is the Brown Swiss. Brown Swiss cattle are the gentle giants of the dairy industry and they are best known for their strength and durability.
As the name implies, Brown Swiss trace their lineage back to the Swiss Alps. Brown Swiss adapt well to high altitudes and hot or cold climates, while producing large volumes of milk, ideal for cheese-making. Their unique ability to yield high components with an ideal fat-to-protein ratio sets them apart from other dairy breeds.
Correct feet and legs, well-attached udders and dairy strength contribute to their exceptional productive life, allowing them to thrive in any modern dairy set-up. As a breed, Brown Swiss have suffered from genetic issues that were hidden among some of the breed’s elite bulls. An example of this was Weaver’s Syndrome. The Brown Swiss is among the oldest of the dairy breeds and they were first established in this country in 1869.
From one end of the scale to the other, Jerseys are the smallest of the dairy breeds, and they are growing in popularity in the United States. On a percentage basis, more Jerseys have been registered in the United States in the past decade than any other breed.
Jerseys generally produce lower volumes of milk than do Holsteins or Swiss, but their milk is much higher in fats and solids, making it a great choice for markets demanding a richer, more flavorful product. The Jersey breed originated over 600 years ago on the Island of Jersey, located in the English Channel between France and England.
The first Jerseys to be registered by the American Jersey Cattle Association were imported to the United States in 1850, but cattle from Jersey Island had been imported to this country much earlier. Today, there are almost 400,000 Jersey cows in the United States and they are an important part of the dairy industry in all 50 states.
In recent years, breeders of Jerseys have worked to improve the size, feet and legs, and udder confirmation of their cattle with a good deal of success. Jersey calves weigh about 55 pounds at birth and mature Jersey females usually weigh about 950 pounds and males about 1,500 pounds. Jerseys reach maturity the earliest of all dairy breeds and are efficient reproducers.
They also have the longest productive life, or longevity in the milking herd, of any dairy breed. Jerseys are more tolerant of heat than the larger breeds and are adapted to a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions. An average Jersey in the United States produces 16 times her bodyweight in milk each year, or about twice her body weight in Cheddar cheese.
The Jersey production champion produced over 40 times her body weight in one year: 49,250 lbs. of milk containing 1,645 lbs. of protein. That is equal to 70,752 half-pint servings of milk, enough milk for an entire year's lunches in a school of 400 students.
The other Channel Isle breed is a good bit harder to find in our area. The Guernsey breed also traces its origins back to an island in the English Channel, the Isle of Guernsey.
Guernseys arrived in America in 1840, when a sea captain brought two heifers and a bull into port in New York City. The breed is best known for its rich milk, which has a distinct “golden” color due to higher than normal levels of beta-carotene. Guernseys are intermediate in size and production. They produce roughly 20-30% less than larger breeds and Jerseys produce more fats and solids in their milk.
Rounding out the dairy breeds are two that also trace their roots back to the United Kingdom. Ayrshires were developed in the Scottish County of Ayr around 1800. Selected for rugged hardiness, Ayrshires are best suited for pasture settings of uneven terrain and dynamic climates. They mature at approximately 1,200 pounds and produce milk that is easily converted to butter and cheese.
The second UK breed, Milking Shorthorn, is in reality a dual-purpose breed. One of the oldest recognized breeds in the world, Shorthorn cattle originated in Northeastern England in the Valley of the Tees River. Much of the early improvement work took place in the counties of Northumberland, Durham and York. The first importation of Shorthorns to the United States was in 1783, when 'Milk Breed' Shorthorns came to Virginia.
Like Guernseys, both Ayrshires and Milking Shorthorns lack the genetic base and popularity to be major players in the modern dairy world; however, it is interesting to note and important to recognize the contributions that these “immigrants” have brought to America! Happy June Dairy Month!
Upcoming Events
June 11-13--OGATA Summer Show, Abingdon.
June 16-19--State 4-H Congress.
July 7--VQA Sale.
July 13--VQA Take Up YBD.
July 25--RV Fair Livestock Day
Aug. 4 --Tri State Beef Conference.
Aug. 6--Tractor Trip to Benham, Ky.
Aug. 18--VQA Sale.
Aug. 24--VQA Steer Take Up.
Aug 26--VQA Heifer Take Up.
Aug. 27--Hay and Forage Field Day.
