Showing Jerseys at the county fair 4-H dairy show.
Did you ever wonder about thse various size and color cows you pass in the country?
There are 6 major breeds of dairy cattle in the US. Holstein cattle originated in the low countries of Europe and are the principal breed in this country. Everyone is familiar with the big (ave 1200 to 1500 lbs) black and white cows. They produce lots of milk. There are herds that average 30000lbs/cow year; mine averaged around 22000 (a gallon of milk weighs 8.6 lbs.). Holsteins produce milk with a lower butterfat content, 3.5% and protein 2.9% on the average. Since our milk is priced (a whole diary in itself) based on components as well as volume, Holsteins make up for it in volume.
Second in numbers in the US are the Jersey breed, my favorite. Our daughters showed these beautiful beasts their entire 4-H careers. Jerseys are small, (850 to 1050lbs) but give rich milk, averaging 4.5% butterfat and nearly 4% protein. The Jersey's color is “a shade of fawn” as described by the American Jersey Cattle Club and is instantly identified by her dished, feminine face and her national icon Elsie. These cattle came from the Isle of Jersey and are one of the 2 channel island breeds.
Guernseys are the other channel island breed and used to be very popular here. Guernseys are larger than Jerseys and similar in color and were known for the yellow color of their “Golden Guernsey” milk. The color is a result of incomplete conversion of carotene into vitamin A. Guernseys lost out in numbers when zealous breeders emphasized body size over longevity traits, in my opinion, and the cows became large and frail.
Ayrshires originated in Scotland and are large dark dark red and white cows which produce a bit more milk than Jerseys but lower fat and protein.
Brown Swiss are huge brown cows which came here from Switzerland as a dual purpose dairy/beef breed. There are few purebred Brown Swiss herds in the US anymore but the remaining ones are enthusiastic.
Lastly and least in numbers is the Milking Shorthorn breed, another dual purpose breed imported from Europe in the 19th century. They are of average size and are red and white in color with a lot of roan cows too. Shorthorns were prized for use as oxen in the days of draft animal power and still are today by the hobby oxen folks. An ox is a neutered(castrated) bull.
There are other breeds that are around the country and they are mostly dual purpose and somewhat exotic.
Our dairy contained a total of 80 milking cows which were 40% Holsteins, 20% Jerseys, and 40% mixed Holstein/Jersey crossbreeds. At one time we had nearly 50% Jerseys. The herd produced an ideal mix of milk in the tank that was 4% fat and 3.4% protein. Ideal, that is, for the price we received for our milk. Over 32 years, the highest number of cows milked was 88, and the lowest was 54, at the start.
Many years ago when there were many more dairies in the countryside, the choice of breeds was based on personal preference. Today it is based on personal preference strongly influenced by economic realities and availability of breeding sires.
Next up: feeding the modern dairy cow.