6 Different Breeds... All the same to moooooooo?

Ever wonder where your milk comes from? Yes, the store... Yes a farm... but which kind of cow!!???

There are six major breeds of dairy cows:

1. Holstein
2. Jersey
3. Guernsey
4. Ayrshire
5. Brown Swiss
6. Milking Shorthorn

Black and white Holstein cows make up over 90% of the U.S. dairy herd. Some Holsteins are red and white, but, aside from color, indistinguishable from black and white Holsteins. The U.S. Holstein is well known around the world for her ability to produce large volumes of milk, butterfat and protein. She is a very profitable cow for farmers.  The U.S. Holstein is relatively new to North America, with the first imports of registered Holsteins arriving in the 1880s. However, the breed has dominated production in the U.S. since the end of World War II, and advances in artificial insemination have increased her popularity in breeding programs around the world largely owing to her advantage in production over all other breeds.

Ruby Tuesday                                                                     Caramel

The Jersey is the second most popular cow in the U.S. and makes up about 7% of the U.S. dairy herd. She is known for her smaller size (1000 lbs. for a mature Jersey cow versus 1500 lbs. for a mature Holstein cow), higher percentages of fat and protein in her milk, early maturity, and efficiency of milk production. Payment by milk processors to dairy producers based on the content of butterfat and protein in milk has increased the popularity of the Jersey, especially in markets where milk is manufactured into cheese.

Jersey cow getting ready to go into the parlor

We have two breeds on our farm:  Holstein and Jersey cows!

Other dairy breeds make up only around 2% of the dairy cattle population. These include:

• Ayrshires - moderately large cows that are red and white to mahogany and white and are known for producing milk that is quite rich in butterfat and for the conformation of their udders;

• Brown Swiss - large brown cattle that are known for their docile manner, high milk protein to milk fat ratio, sound feet and legs, and purported resistance to heat stress in hot and humid regions;

• Guernseys - red and white to mostly red and are somewhat larger than Jerseys and are known for the yellow color of the butterfat in their milk, which is rich in Beta-Carotene.

• Milking Shorthorns - a rugged breed of cattle that are red and white to mostly red, mostly white, or roan (speckled) and are known for milk that is well suited for cheese production and for their grazing ability.

Which is your favorite??