Breeds of Dairy Cattle

1. Breeds of Dairy Cattle Animal Science 1 Dairy Unit

2. Ayrshire • Originated in the country of Ayr • Developed during the last part of the 18th century • First imported to the US in 1822 • Greatest numbers are found in Northeastern US • Breed association is the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association

3. Ayrshire • May be any shade of cherry red, other colors are mahogany, brown, or white • White may be mixed with any other color but each color should be clearly defined. • Preferred color is a distinctive red and white • Objectionable colors are black and brindle • Straight lines • Well balanced udders that are attached high behind and extend forward. • Teats are medium in size • Vigorous and strong, have excellent grazing ability • Mature cows 1,200 pounds, Mature bulls about 1,800 pounds

4. Milk Production • Rank 3rd in average milk produced per cow at 11,700 pounds • Average 4% milk fat • Rank 4th in average milk fat produced per cow

6. Brown Swiss • Originated in Switzerland • One of the oldest dairy breeds • First imported into the US in 1869 • Only 25 bulls and 130 cows were imported into the US • The approximately 820,000 registered Brown Swiss in the US are descendants of those importations • Breed association is the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeder’s Association of the USA, organized in 1880

7. Brown Swiss • Solid brown, ranging from light to dark • White and off-color spots are objectionable • Nose and tongue are black • Large framed • Mature cows 1500 lbs, Mature bulls 2,000 lbs • Quiet, docile temperament • Longest lived • High heat tolerance

8. Milk Production • Rank second among dairy breeds in average milk production per cow at 12,100 pounds • Average 4.1% milk fat • Rank 3rd among the dairy breeds in average milk fat produced per cow

10. Guernsey • Originated on the Isle of Guernsey • Developed by Monks through crossbreeding • First imported into the US in 1831 • Breed association is the American Guernsey Association • Organized in 1877 • Rank 2nd in total number of dairy cattle registered in the US

11. Guernsey • May be any shade of fawn with white markings • Black and brindle are objectionable • Clear or buff muzzle is preferred over smoky or black • Skin is yellow • Early maturing • Adaptable • Gentle • Mature weight • Cows 1100 lbs, Bulls 1800 lbs

12. Milk Production • Rank 4th in average milk production per cow at 10,600 lbs • Average 5% milk fat • Rank 2nd in average milk fat produced per cow • Produce milk that is golden in color

14. Holstein-Friesian • Originated in the Netherlands • Called the Holstein in the US and Canada and the Friesian elsewhere in the world • First imported into the US by the Dutch settlers in 1621 and 1664 • There have been no imports since 1905 • Breed Association-Holstein-Friesian Association of America • 90% of all Dairy Cattle in the US • About 1,500,000 registered Holstein cattle in the US

15. Holstein-Friesian • Black and white • Solid animals are not acceptable or registered • Recessive gene occasionally causes red and white animals to appear • Largest • Mature cows-1500 lbs, Mature bulls 2200 lbs • Large udders • Cows are quiet but bulls can be mean and dangerous • Adaptable

16. Milk Production • 1st among dairy breeds in average milk production per cow at 14,500 lbs • Average about 3.5% milk fat • 5th among dairy breeds in average milk fat production per cow

18. Jersey • Originated on the Isle of Jersey • Imported into the US in about 1815 with major importations occurring between 1870-1890 • Breed association is the American Jersey Cattle Association

19. Jersey • Cream to a light fawn to almost black in color • Some may have white markings • Switch and tongue may be black or white • Smallest • Mature cows weigh about 1,000 pounds, mature bulls weight about 1600 pounds • Excellent udders that are well attached • Adaptable and efficient users of feed • Somewhat nervous and bulls can be mean and very aggressive • Early maturing

20. Milk Production • Rank 5th among dairy breeds in average milk production per cow at 10,000 pounds • Average about 5.4% milk fat • Rank 1st among dairy breeds in average milk fat produced per cow