 |
| Foster Mother's of the Human Race, by Bonnie Mohr For more of her paintings, visit: http://www.bonniemohr.com/ |
Before I get too ahead of myself in talking about the dairy industry, I feel I should introduce you to the girls behind mother nature's wholesome drink. In the United States, there are seven dairy cow breeds that are recognized by the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA). The different breeds recognized all bring their own unique set of qualities that make them favorites with dairy farmers. With variations in size, shape, color, and milk production; dairy farmers have a lot to choose from when deciding which cow is the right choice for them. Below is some general information about each of the seven breeds.
AYRSHIRE
[air-shy-er]
 |
| Blind Buck Vall Sol Redpepper |
Ayrshire's country of origin is Scotland in the County of Ayr before the 1800's. In the United States, they were first imported about 1822 to Windsor, Connecticut.
Color:
Ayrshires are a combination of a light or dark red/mahogany and white color with black hooves.
Size:
They are described as medium sized when compared to the other breeds and typically weigh around 1,200 pounds at maturity.
Breed Traits:
Most often known for their longevity (long lives), feed efficiency, udder quality, how easy they are to care for. They are a very hardy (sturdy) breed that can live in numerous environments.
More Information:
http://www.usayrshire.com/
More Information:
http://www.usayrshire.com/
BROWN SWISS
[brown-swiss]
*My personal favorite
 |
| Old Mill E Snickerdoodle |
Brown Swiss are considered one of, if not the oldest of the dairy breeds. They originate from the European country of Switzerland. Some historians believe they first appeared around 4000 B.C.. In 1869, the first Brown Swiss came to America and found a home in Belmont, Massachusetts.
Color:
Colors can vary in different shades of gray, brown, tan, and can sometimes come close to white. Their hooves are black as well as their nose with a distinct white patch around the nose.
Size:
Brown Swiss are typically larger cows, and at maturity, can weigh up to 1,300 to 1,400 pounds.
Brown Swiss are typically larger cows, and at maturity, can weigh up to 1,300 to 1,400 pounds.
Breed Traits:
This breed of dairy cows are adaptable to any environment they are put in. Brown Swiss are very docile creatures with gentle temperaments. They are mostly known for their high protein content in their milk as well as having excellent feet and legs which lead them to live longer lives.
More Information:
http://www.brownswissusa.com/Home/tabid/59/Default.aspx
This breed of dairy cows are adaptable to any environment they are put in. Brown Swiss are very docile creatures with gentle temperaments. They are mostly known for their high protein content in their milk as well as having excellent feet and legs which lead them to live longer lives.
More Information:
http://www.brownswissusa.com/Home/tabid/59/Default.aspx
GUERNSEY
[gurn-zee]
 |
| Four Winds Mentor Highlite - EX-94 |
Origin:
Guernseys come from the small island called the Isle of Guernsey which is located off the coast of France in the English Channel. They originate from around 960 A.D.. This breed made its way to the United States in 1840 and arrived in the port of New York.
Guernseys come from the small island called the Isle of Guernsey which is located off the coast of France in the English Channel. They originate from around 960 A.D.. This breed made its way to the United States in 1840 and arrived in the port of New York.
Color: Guernseys' markings are described as fawn colored along with white markings across their body. Their hooves are typically tan.
Size:
This breed typically fits in the middle range of size and weighs about 1,200 pounds when they are mature cows.
This breed typically fits in the middle range of size and weighs about 1,200 pounds when they are mature cows.
Breed Traits:
These dairy cows are known for having good habits, being able to adapt easily to their surroundings, and calving easily. The milk of a Guernsey cow is the most famous for having milk high in protein, butterfat, and beta-carotene (a fat soluble compound that can be converted into vitamin A which helps maintain healthy skin).
More Information:
http://www.usguernsey.com/
More Information:
http://www.usguernsey.com/
HOLSTEIN (BLACK & WHITE)
[hole-steen]
 |
| Hendel Plt Marilyn 3021-ET |
Origin:
The Holstein breed came from Holland (what is now the Netherlands) to the United States in 1852. The breed itself showed up roughly 2,000 years ago. The first Holsteins in America settled around Boston, Massachusetts.
The Holstein breed came from Holland (what is now the Netherlands) to the United States in 1852. The breed itself showed up roughly 2,000 years ago. The first Holsteins in America settled around Boston, Massachusetts.
Color:
The different markings on a Holstein are black and white with each animal having a unique pattern similar to fingerprints on humans. Hoof color is usually tan, but can have a black stripe along the sides.
The different markings on a Holstein are black and white with each animal having a unique pattern similar to fingerprints on humans. Hoof color is usually tan, but can have a black stripe along the sides.
Size:
One of the larger breeds in the dairy industry, a mature Holstein cow can weigh around 1,500 pounds.
One of the larger breeds in the dairy industry, a mature Holstein cow can weigh around 1,500 pounds.
Breed Traits:
The most recognized of the dairy breeds and most popular with farmers; Holsteins are the top producers of milk for the United States. Their great milk production, feed efficiency, and environment adaptability easily make them great cows for dairy farmers.
More Information:
http://www.holsteinusa.com/
The most recognized of the dairy breeds and most popular with farmers; Holsteins are the top producers of milk for the United States. Their great milk production, feed efficiency, and environment adaptability easily make them great cows for dairy farmers.
More Information:
http://www.holsteinusa.com/
JERSEY
[jur-zee]
 |
| Marynole Excite Rosey |
Origin:
Jerseys originate from Jersey Island which is a British island off the coast of France. They are another one of the oldest breeds in the dairy world. In 1850, the first Jerseys were brought over from Europe to the United States.
Jerseys originate from Jersey Island which is a British island off the coast of France. They are another one of the oldest breeds in the dairy world. In 1850, the first Jerseys were brought over from Europe to the United States.
Color:
Jerseys can vary in light and dark shades and colors of grays (mousy), fawns, and almost black. Hooves are all black.
Jerseys can vary in light and dark shades and colors of grays (mousy), fawns, and almost black. Hooves are all black.
Size:
The smallest of the dairy breeds, Jerseys weigh somewhere around 900 to 1,000 pounds when they mature.
Breed Traits:
Besides their short stature and dairyiness appearance, Jerseys are adaptable to many conditions, they live long lives, and are very efficient in eating and producing milk. Their milk is is the highest in milk solids. This makes it healthier and better for making different milk products like cheese.
More Information:
http://www.usjersey.com/
More Information:
http://www.usjersey.com/
MILKING SHORTHORN
[milking-short-horn]
 |
| Walnut Grove Sandy-EXP |
Origin:
Milking Shorthorns came from the Northeastern part of England in the Valley of the Tees River. They are also an older breed, originating somewhere in the mid 1600's. The first Milking Shorthorns arrived in the United States in 1783.
Milking Shorthorns came from the Northeastern part of England in the Valley of the Tees River. They are also an older breed, originating somewhere in the mid 1600's. The first Milking Shorthorns arrived in the United States in 1783.
Color:
The color combinations of Milking Shorthorns are mostly red, red and white, mostly white, or a color known as roan which is a very close mixture of red and white (try thinking of spray paint). Their hooves are also black.
Size:
This breed typically fits in the middle size range and can weigh about 1,200 when they reach maturity.
Size:
This breed typically fits in the middle size range and can weigh about 1,200 when they reach maturity.
Breed Traits: Other than their unique coloring pattern, Milking Shorthorns are docile cows who live long lives that produce a lot of milk. Farmers like them because of how easy they are to manage and they have little to no trouble when calving.
More Information:
http://www.milkingshorthorn.com/
RED & WHITE (HOLSTEIN)
[red-and-white-hole-steen]
 |
| Scenic-Edge Jamboliya-Red |
Origin:
The Red & White breed originally came from Holland just like the regular Holsteins did. they came from the Holstein breed, but through different breeding and genetics, the red and white colored Holsteins became more prominent in the 1960's in the United States.
The Red & White breed originally came from Holland just like the regular Holsteins did. they came from the Holstein breed, but through different breeding and genetics, the red and white colored Holsteins became more prominent in the 1960's in the United States.
Color:
They are red and white colored with tan hooves. Similar to the black and white Holsteins, they sometimes with have the black stripe on the side of their hooves.
They are red and white colored with tan hooves. Similar to the black and white Holsteins, they sometimes with have the black stripe on the side of their hooves.
Size:
Red & Whites like Holsteins will be on the larger size and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
Red & Whites like Holsteins will be on the larger size and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
Breed Traits:
Their traits are similar to those of black and white Holsteins, except that these are red and white colored.
More Information:
http://www.redandwhitecattle.com/
Thanks for reading this week's post! Don't forget your three dairy products a day and have a dairy good day!
Information located at:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/beta-carotene/background/hrb-20058836
Picutres located at:
Their traits are similar to those of black and white Holsteins, except that these are red and white colored.
More Information:
http://www.redandwhitecattle.com/
Thanks for reading this week's post! Don't forget your three dairy products a day and have a dairy good day!
Information located at:
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/nadairy.htm
http://www.purebreddairycattle.com/pages/Breeds.php
http://www.brownswissusa.com/Breed/BrownSwissBreed/tabid/173/Default.aspx
http://www.holsteinusa.com/holstein_breed/breedhistory.htmlhttp://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/beta-carotene/background/hrb-20058836
Picutres located at:
http://www.brownswissusa.com/Breed/History/tabid/89/Default.aspx
http://www.dairycowdaily.com/Senior-Champion-Ayrshires-Junior-Show-World-Dairy-Expo.html
http://www.dairycowdaily.com/Four-Winds-Mentor-Highlite.html
http://www.holsteinplaza.com/hendel-plt-marilyn-3021-et
http://www.dairycowdaily.com/2011-All-American-Milking-Shorthorns.html
http://www.kueffnerkows.com/rosey.html
http://www.hoards.com/blog_final-sales-remarqued-Foster-Mothers-print
http://www.cowsmo.com/news/scenic-edge-holsteins-consigns-to-the-national-red-white-sale-2014/
No comments:
Post a Comment