Breeds of Dairy Cattle

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Breeds of Dairy Cattle

• AVS 346

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US Breeds of Dairy Cattle
93.4 3.6 0.3 0.8 0.5 1.4
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Average Milk Production by Breed
USDA-AIPL 2004 Data
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Holsteins
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Holsteins

• Holstein Friesians
• Most Populous Breed in US
• Originated in Holland
• First imported in 1852
• Holstein Association USA (1885)
• Headquarters - Brattleboro, VT
• Breed Magazine Holstein World

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Holstein Traits

• High milk production
• Low components fat and protein
• Tailored for pricing system
• Largest in body size
• Birth weight 90 lbs
• Maturity 1500 lb cows, 2500 lb bulls
• Black, white and red
• Moderate temperament
• Moderate grazers
• World Record Holder

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Red and White Holstein
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Jerseys
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Jerseys

• Second most populous breed
• Originated on Isle of Jersey
• Channel breed
• Imported in 1850s
• American Jersey Cattle Club
• Oldest US dairy breed association
• Headquarters Reynoldsburg, OH
• Magazine Jersey Journal
• Growing because of cheese production

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Jersey Traits

• Highest Butterfat and Protein
• Dark brown to gray and silver
• Can have spots
• Black muzzle and eyes
• Yellow fat Poor carotene conversion to Vitamin
  A
  
• Refined dairyness
• Smallest
• Birth 65 lbs
• Mature - 1100 lb. cows, 1600 lb. bulls
• Good grazers
• Efficient relative to size
• Aggressive for size
• Prone to milk fever
• Calves have poor survivability

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Productive Life of Cattle BreedsCows Born
1997-2001
Source USDA-AIPL August 2008
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Ayrshires
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Ayrshires

• Moderate in size and production
• Originated in County Ayr Scotland
• Imported into US in 1822
• Ayrshire Breeders Association
• Headquarters Columbus, OH
• Ayrshire Digest

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Ayrshire Traits

• Moderate
• Milk production, butterfat and protein
• Body size
• Red (mahogany) and white
• Markings can be similar to red Holsteins
• Horns were important
• Size
• Birth 70-80 lbs
• Maturity cows 1300, bulls 2200 lbs.
• Excellent grazers
• Known for bad temperament
• White fat

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Guernseys
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Guernseys

• Originated on Isle of Guernsey
• Channel breed
• Used to be most populous breed
• First imported in 1840
• American Jersey Association
• Headquarters Reynoldsburg OH
• Magazine Guernsey Breeders Journal

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Guernsey Traits

• Low milk production, high components
• Similar to Jersey
• Milk is yellow Golden Guernsey
• Brindle and white, spotted
• Birth 65 70 lbs.
• Mature 1100 cows, 1800 bulls
• Not good at converting carotene in vitamin A
• Yellow fat
• Yellow muzzle and around eyes
• Good grazers
• Poor conformation

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Brown Swiss
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Brown Swiss

• Originated in Switzerland
• Oldest of breeds
• First imported to US in 1869
• Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association
• Headquarters Beloit, WI
• Magazine The Brown Swiss Bulletin

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Brown Swiss Traits

• Large size similar to Holsteins
• Moderate production
• High protein to fat ratio
• Dual/Tri purpose breed
• Milk, meat and draft
• Lack dairyness
• Near white or silver to dark gray
• Sound legs
• Longevity
• Extremely mild temperament - Slow

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Milking Shorthorn
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Milking Shorthorns

• Split from beef Shorthorns
• One of oldest recognized breeds
• Originated in Great Britain
• First imported to US in 1783
• American Milking Shorthorn Society
• Headquarters in Beloit, WI
• The Milking Shorthorn Journal

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Shorthorn Traits

• Tri purpose breed
• Low milk production, low components
• Moderate in size
• Reddish brown and white
• Spotted or speckle, roan
• Lack dairyness
• Good grazers

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Swedish Red
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Red Dane
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Montbeliarde
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Randall Cattle
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Other Breeds
Dutch Belted
Linebacks
Canadienne