{ Dairy Cattle Breeds

 Origin: Scotland (late 1700’s)  Imported to the US in the 1800’s  Description of breed:  Red and White with the shade of red ranging from brown to mahogany.  Moderate Size and should reach 1,200 lbs at maturity. Ayrshire

Breed Strengths & Characteristics:  Used to be known for their horns (more than a foot long) now they are dehorned.  Forage well.  exceptionally sound mammary glands and feet and legs. feet and legs.   Moderate butterfat breed   Avg. 3.9%   Average Annual Milk Production:   17,000 lbs. per cycle (305 days) Ayrshire

  Origin: Developed in Switzerland   Imported to the US in the late 1800’s   Description of breed:   Bred as dual-purpose animals – size and strength make them popular draft animals.   Light to dark brown, slow to mature   Larger than the Jersey Breed Brown Swiss

Breed Strengths & Characteristics:   Believed to be one of the oldest breeds in dairy cattle.   Friendly disposition   Long-lived   Large milk output (2 nd to Holstein)   14,700 lbs. per cycle   Moderate Butterfat Breed   Avg 4% Brown Swiss

  Origin: Developed on the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel from foundation stock of French cattle   Imported to the US in the 1830’s   Description of breed:   Medium-framed   Golden/red and white coat color Guernsey

Breed Strengths & Characteristics:   The Guernsey cow is known for producing high- butterfat, high-protein milk with a high concentration of beta-carotene.   Produce high quality milk, but consume 20 to 30 percent less feed   Popular to those who make cheese and butter   High butterfat breed   Avg. 4.5%   Average Annual Milk Production:   14,700 lbs. per cycle Guernsey

  Origin: Developed in the Netherlands   imported to US in 1852   Description of breed:   Distinctive black and white color pattern   Recessive genes for red color   Large breedHolstein

Breed Strengths & Characteristics:   Most popular dairy breed in the U.S   More than 90% of cattle are Holsteins   Can be bred at 15 months of age   Ranked number 1 for milk production   Lowest butterfat breed   Avg %   Average Annual Milk Production:   28,000 lbs. per cycle Holstein

  Origin: Developed on the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel Imported to the U.S in 1850   Description of breed:   Light fawn to black color   Dished face and large dark eyes   Excellent udder conformation Jersey

Breed Strengths & Characteristics:   With an average weight of 900 pounds, the Jersey produces more pounds of milk per pound of body weight than any other breed.   Highest Butterfat Breed! 4.9%   Average Annual Milk Production:   16,000 lbs. per cycle Jersey