Dairy Breeds Dairy Science

HOLSTEIN (Friesians) Number 1 breed in the U.S. Origin: Netherlands Color: black & white or red & white Size: 1500 pounds (largest)

HOLSTEIN BULL

RED AND WHITE HOLSTEIN Average productive life span is six years; many three to four years. Highest milk yield Average 21,000 pounds of milk per year. Produce 95.2% of total milk in the U.S.

RED AND WHITE HOLSTEIN BULL

JERSEY Number 2 in the U.S. Origin: Isle of Jersey Color: fawn to blackish; sometimes spotted; black switch; black hooves Size: 1000 (smallest) Produced 3.8% of the total milk production. highest % fat & protein; 6% butterfat and 4% protein

JERSEY BULL

BROWN SWISS Number 3 in the U.S. Origin: Switzerland Color: mousy brown to blackish hair with white tips Size: 1400 pounds Longevity & ruggedness Highest protein/fat ratio

BROWN SWISS BULL

GUERNSEY No. 4 in U.S. origin: Isle of Guernsey color: light red & white size: 1100 pounds rich deep yellow milk color (Golden Guernsey) poor converters of carotene to vit. A

GUERNSEY BULL

AYRSHIRE No. 5 in U.S. origin: County of Ayr in Scotland color: mahogany spots on white size: 1200 pounds excellent grazers

AYRSHIRE BULL

MILKING SHORTHORN No. 6 in U.S. From England Related to beef shorthorns Selected for milk production Castrated males make acceptable market steers

MILKING SHORTHORN BULL