Breeds of Dairy Cattle

Focus What details can you tell me about a dairy cow? How is milk produced?

Lifecycle of a Dairy Cow

A Calf Is Born The calf weighs 90-100 lbs at birth. The calf is immediately fed colostrum, which is the nutrient-rich first milk produced by a cow. At 3 days the calf is fed milk replacer At 4-8 weeks the calf is weaned from milk

Jersey Calf

Calf Hutches Wooden

Six-Month-Old Heifer The heifer is fed silage, hay, and grain. The heifer weights around 400 lbs. The dairy farmer wants the heifer to gain 1.6 to 1.8 pounds per day.

Yearling Heifer This heifer is called a yearling because she is over a year old. She still has a lot of growing to do before she enters the milking herd.

Two-Year-Old This is what dairy farmers call a first-year heifer. This means that she has just had her first calf. She is producing milk. She weights 1,200 lbs.

Mature Cow The mature cow weighs approximately 1,500 lbs. She has just had her 4th calf. She can eat over 100 lbs a day and produces 12 gallons of milk each milking in early lactation

ADV: Cleaner, less bedding expenses, ease of parlor use, few space requirement, fewer teat and udder injuries and ease of use

Cow Facilities Tie stall Free stall

Milking Parlors Herringbone, Polygon, Side opening, Rotary/ Carousel

Milking unit Milking unit: teat cup (steel shell) assembly, the claw or suspension cup, connecting air and milk tubes

Life of a Dairy Cow Gestation: 9 months Lactation & Calving Cycle

Dairy Cattle Characteristics Video

Holstein - Friesian History Originated in Netherlands Winthrop Chenery brought the first Holstein over so the sailors could have milk He noticed her high production and started to bring over more Largest of all dairy cattle - 1500 lb. cows and bulls: 2200 lbs

Holstein Characteristics Holsteins are large, stylish animals with color patterns of black and white or red and white (recessive gene); switch: white Average milk production per cow: 14,500 lb, 3.5% milk fat (5th) 90% of all dairy cattle in the U.S. are Holstein First in milk production

Ayrshire History The Ayrshire breed originated in the County of Ayrshire in Scotland, prior to 1800 Prior to 1800 many of the cattle of Ayrshire were black, although by 1775 browns and mottled colors started to appear. Early breeders carefully crossed and selected the various strains of cattle Cows weigh 1200 lbs. Ranks third in milk production (4th in milk fat) Vigorous, strong and excellent grazing ability

Ayrshire Characteristics Red and white: cherry red, mahogany, brown or white and mixed with red, mahogany or brown, have horns medium-sized cattle and should weigh over 1200 pounds at maturity strong, rugged cattle that adapt to all management systems including group handling on dairy farms with free stalls and milking parlors 15,000 pounds of milk with a 3.9% Butterfat Calves are strong and easy to raise

Brown Swiss History Brown Swiss breed originated in the mountain pastures of the Swiss Alps The Brown Swiss breed in the United States was declared a dairy breed in 1906

Brown Swiss Characteristics Light silver to dark brown with dark points. Nose and tongue black. 15,883 lbs of milk per lactation; 3.97% fat (3 rd) A mature female weighs 1400 lbs (heifer matures more slowly than other breeds) particularly strong feet and legs because of the mountains Quiet, docile, people-friendly demeanor One of the oldest dairy breeds 2nd milk production

Guernsey History The Isle of Guernsey, a tiny island in the English Channel off the coast of France, is the birthplace of the Guernsey cow The Monks from France brought Frances best bloodlines and came up with the Guernsey Introduction of the Guernsey to America occurred around September 1840, when Captain Belair of the Schooner Pilot brought three Alderney cows to the port of New York

Guernsey’s Characteristics The Guernsey cow is known for producing high- butterfat and high-protein milk Guernseys produce their high quality milk while consuming 20 to 30 percent less feed per pound of milk The Guernsey is also an excellent grazer, great temperament Produces 14,667 pounds of milk (4th), 659 pounds of butterfat and 510 pounds (2nd)of protein Fawn with white markings, skin is yellow Milk is golden

Jersey History The Jersey breed originated on the Island of Jersey, a small British island in the English Channel The island of Jersey was very protective of this breed. Because of this the breed stayed distinctive for many years Cream, light fawn or almost black Switch/ tongue; black or white

Jersey Characteristics Jerseys are adapted to a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions Jerseys vary greatly in color, but the characteristic color is golden fawn, with or without white markings Smallest of the dairy breeds Its nutritive content is 28.46% greater than ordinary milk Came from island of Jersey off cost of France Smallest dairy breed Cows weigh around1000 lbs Great udders 5th in milk and 1st in in milk fat

Milking Shorthorn One of the oldest recognized breeds in the world, a segment of the Shorthorn breed Provided milk, meat, and transportation to pioneers Red, red & white, white, or roan in color In the feedlot, these cattle attain 1,000 to 1,200 pound weights at an early age ease of calving docile healthy calves

Quiz Time!!!!!!!!!!

What is this breed?

What is this breed?

What is this breed?

What is this breed?

What is this breed?

What is this breed?

Answers 1.Holstein 2.Brown Swiss 3.Guernsey 4.Jersey 5. Ayrshire 6.Milking Shorthorn