The Diversity of Dairy Cattle Breeds

Can you name all of the Major League Baseball teams? How about every past United States president? Or what about the current roster for the Green Bay Packers? I might be able to name all of the presidents if I could only remember that song from elementary school. While I might have a limited memory for history or sports, from a pretty young age, I have been able to name all of the major U.S. dairy cattle breeds! While knowing the names of the dairy breeds might help you win a round of trivia or impress some friends, did you know that each breed has its own unique characteristics and attributes that a farmer may have a specific desire for?

While there are many dairy cattle breeds around the world, there are seven that make up the majority of the dairy cows in the United States. These seven are Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Black and White Holstein, Red and White Holstein, Jersey, and Milking Shorthorn. Growing up, my family and I exhibited all of those breeds of dairy cattle except Jerseys, in show rings around Wisconsin and beyond!

Working with so many different dairy breeds over the years has helped me to learn what differentiates them from one another.

The Ayrshire breed was brought to America around 1800 from the county of Ayr in Scotland. Ayrshires are favored for their vigor and adaptability, allowing them to be raised in most parts of the world. They are rusty-red and white in color and are a mid-sized breed, coming in around 1,200 pounds.

Considered the oldest of the dairy breeds, the Brown Swiss originated in the Alps of Switzerland. According to The Cattle Site, Benedictine monks residing at the Einsiedeln Monastery started breeding these cattle as early as approximately 1,000 years ago. Their color ranges from silver to dark brown. Farmers that use their milk to make cheese may prefer the Brown Swiss for its high protein-to-fat ratio.

Guernsey, commonly known as the “Golden Guernsey”, originated from the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel. Their “golden” milk comes from a high level of beta carotene in their diet. Beta carotene is a source of Vitamin A and is the same substance that gives carrots their orange color! Guernseys themselves are light-reddish brown and white.

Black and White Holsteins comprise nearly 90% of the dairy cattle in the United States, according to Ag Daily. Their distinctive pattern is unique to each bovine, just like a fingerprint! Starting in the 1600s, Holsteins began being imported to the U.S. from the Netherlands. Holsteins produce the largest volume of milk out of all the dairy breeds, and are usually the largest cows, weighing around 1,500 pounds on average.

The Red and White Holstein was only officially recognized as a separate breed starting in 1964. Overall, Red and White Holsteins have similar breed characteristics as their Black and White relatives, but the red color comes from a recessive gene.

Jersey cattle originate from the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel. Established in 1868, the American Jersey Cattle Association is the oldest dairy breed association in the U.S. Ag Daily states, “They are known for their friendly personality, heat tolerance, feed efficiency, and producing rich milk, high in butterfat, which is great for making cheese and ice cream.”

Originating from the valleys of Northern England, the Milking Shorthorn came to the United States in the 1780s. The Shorthorn is a dual-purpose breed, meaning it can be raised for milk or beef production. By breeding for specific characteristics, breeders of the Milking Shorthorn can focus more on milk production rather than the beef traits of the Shorthorn. One of the larger bovine breeds, Milking Shorthorns are around 1,400 pounds at their maturity, and can range in color from red and white to roan.

The variety of characteristics present between these seven breeds allow farmers to determine which breeds will help them reach their specific goals for their farm. No matter which breeds are chosen, farmers spend their time raising these cattle to produce safe, healthy, and delicious products for the rest of us to enjoy.