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Among the many breeds of dairy cows, the Holsteins are the most popular in the United States. This is not surprising considering there are many things about the Holsteins that sets them apart from other dairy cattle.
So what makes the Holstein dairy cow special? Holstein have the highest milk productions, for one. Their ability to give quantities of milk knows no limit, and this genetically anchored ability just keeps on improving year after year.
Holsteins can also easily adapt into any management and utilization system. They can be either fed in the stables or left to graze on the fields. Either way, the Holsteins are assured to be healthy. They can also be put in high or low areas and are not concerned about land as long as there is grass to graze on. Whether it be mixed farming systems, intensive farming, or low-cost farming, the Holsteins are easy to take care of.
There may be a problem when it comes to heat and diseases though, especially in difficult agro-ecological areas. While they do exhibit excellent adaptation abilities, there may be a reduced production capacity when in these conditions.
Holsteins also produce their offsprings with little or no problem at all. There will certainly be no fertility problems if they are managed well enough. The calves may also exhibit higher heat tolerance and higher production figures, especially if breeding is done with natural breeds. The calves will mature early and grow up fast that there are little problems taking care of them in their young years.
Holstein dairy cows are also soft and good-natured, which contributes a lot to their being easy to handle. There are no problems with them when they are stabled and there is no ounce of them fighting their handlers. Holsteins are also resistant to stress. They also like to be in a herd and are not solitary animals. Their appearance may also have contributed to their breed being the superior one. Their black-and-white coat is the trademark appearance of a dairy cow.
Aside from producing great quantities of milk to consumers, Holsteins also give to the meat supply industry. They are especially significant in the fattening sector, and they produce meat with a fine fiber. Many are cross-bred with beef breeds to produce better quality veal.
We can clearly see how the Holsteins have contributed a lot to both the milk production market and the meat supply industry. The Holsteins are especially preferred for milk production. Their ability to produce milk in great quantities have made them very valuable indeed.
It is evident that they have superior qualities when compared to other breeds. Their genetic abilities and adaptability have made them popular not only in the United States but also around the world. The export of Holstein cows and frozen embryos and semen is being done with many countries, and this has helped improve the foreign food sector and dairy producer incomes. With these many advantageous qualities, is it any wonder why the Holstein dairy cattle is so special?
Watch the video related to dairy cattle
The dairy industry is an important part of Iowa agriculture. The sale of milk, cull cows and calves contributes more than 500 million to the state’s economy. Good reason to stop by the Livestock Pavilion for the Dairy Cattle Show. For more Iowa State Fair 2008 Coverage visit www.iptv.org
Help answer the question about dairy cattle
What are all the dairy cattle breeds in the us?Well, I, Taylor McPherson has dairy cattle and already know this question. But, if you answer this question correctly, you will get 10 points! You will also get 2 points for answering this question in advance. So, go ahead, take a stab! Who knows, you might even get this question right!
I only want to know 5!!! (Hint: G, H, J, BS, and A these are the letters they start with!!!) And these are the only ones I want to know!!!
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Hi, well I’d really like to believe this, but of course conditions are good when you have organised for videos to be taken. What about the videos taken by PETA or Animals Australia that show the sheep on these ships are in terrible conditions?
I really hope that the animals are being treated well all the time and not only when they know that videos are taken.
Hi dilemmix, all livestock are treated equally well onboard vessels, with room to move around and lie down, constant access to food and water, accredited stockmen on all voyages and an Australian vet on journeys to the Middle East to provide extra care. Over 99% of all animals arrive fit and healthy at their destination. Take a look at some of our other videos to see the care given onboard vessels and in overseas marketplaces or visit the liveexportcare website for more info.
Holstein (the most common)
Jersey
Ayrshire
Guernsey
Brown Swiss
Dutch Belted
Milking Shorthorn
Red and White Holstein
pretty cheap. wa state between 25-150$
Great video, informative, love it
Holsteins make up the vast majority of dairy cattle for their ability to adapt to confinement methods. Calves are normally 90-100 pounds at birth; weanling weights generally aren't taken on dairy but as yearlings at about 800# they are bred, with adult cows not uncommon at the 1500# mark. Bulls from 1800# to just over a ton aren't uncommon. They can be black and white or red and white.
Ayreshire cows are more like 1200# at maturity – they were developed to be efficient grazers so body weight wasn't as big of a factor.
Guernseys are similar to Ayrshires.
Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn have more variance because of their dual purpose background. Swiss cattle fall between the Ayreshire and Holstein in size with bulls not uncommon at 1700#+ and cows 1,000-1200. Milking Shorthorns are very slightly smaller…not that many years ago, relatively speaking, they were a single breed – shorthorns. A demand for specialization divided milking and beef cattle into breeding for different traits
Jerseys are the smallest breed – calves 50-60#, adult cows 800-1200# bulls 1600-1700#
The loss of farms that use grazing is threatening all but the Holstein and Jersey.
Dairy cattle require alot of inputs in order to maintain high levels of milk production and are much more sensitive to heat stress. So in general the majority of dairy cattle would be located in north eastern north america, since high quality forage and grains are easily grown there and the temperature is much more moderate.
Beef cattle on the other hand are much more hearty and in general have lower maintenance energy costs and therefore can be maintained on range/marginal lands where forage quality is not as great. There are alot a beef cattle raised on the range lands of the midwest and western range lands.
This is just an over generalization…but it gives you an idea
try this score card showing what the judges may be looking for:
http://dese.mo.gov/divcareered/AG/CDE/DairyCattleGrading.pdf
The Pampas is a relatively dry climate that is more suitable to raising beef cattle like they do in the western states of the US. Dairy operations require more green grass and water.
We show cattle and we use Andis. They not only run cooler and they are very light. they hold up very good. We have had them get kicked, fell of tack box and they still keep on cliping.
Cows seem to get better care than sheep on a ship- have you looked at the torturous journey of sheep to the middle east? This should be outlawed.
Go to the breed association that you are interested in, say Holstein, and you can get the pedigree information on the cattle there.
I did a google search for "how to judge dairy cattle" and came up with a lot of stuff. Here is one of those links that looks pretty good: