Try keeping dairy cows if you want to
broaden the scope of your homestead. The cows will provide you and your family with locally produced milk and dairy goods while imparting important life skills to your kids. Additionally, if you want to sell milk and dairy goods at the market, owning dairy cows might give you a second source of income.
However, you should think about what breed of dairy cow will best meet your needs before you buy your first calf.
The Top 5 Breeds of Dairy Cows That Produce the Most Milk:
1. Holstein
In the 1850s, the Netherlands' Holland was where the Holstein breed first appeared. It originates in the provinces of North Holland and Friesland. In Europe, there is a lineage known as Frisian; in America, it is called Holstein Friesian.
There are two basic varieties of fur on a Holstein cow. The genetically first type has a mix of black and white dots. The other, less typical variety has patches that are both red and white.
Holstein cows are renowned for their kindness, soft dispositions, and powerful herd following instinct. They are a large breed of dairy cow, reaching a mature weight of roughly 1,500 pounds. A mature bull stands about 1.52 meters tall, and a mature female does too.
The biggest dairy cow breed, this one is distinguished by its weight. Their enormous productivity is consistent with the size of their udder. The Holstein's body is curved, wide in the back, and has low muscle density because of their dairy-oriented breeding.
The Holstein breed suffers significantly in hotter climates and is best suited to cold or mild weather. However, a number of variables, including nutrition and the environment, affect how much milk they produce.
A Holstein cow may produce an average of 10,000–12,000 liters of milk each lactation in systems with concentrated diets (305 days). Additionally, milk production from forage-based diets may range from 4,000 to 5,000 liters each lactation. It may differ for tropical nations and Latin America, but because to its high production, it is the ideal breed of daily-producing cow.
2. JERSY
A Jersey is a type of dairy cattle that originated on Jersey Island, which is sandwiched between England and France in the English Channel. They were able to adapt successfully in the most prolific nations, such as New Zealand, Canada, and the US, thanks to their enormous productive potential.
Compared to other dairy cow breeds, Jersey cows are smaller. They feature a small head, black snout, and front slit, as well as big eyes. A Jersey cow has precise angles that give it the right proportions in terms of shape.
A mature Jersey cow typically weighs between 900 and 1,000 pounds, and they stand 1.25 meters tall at the withers.
Jersey cows, like Holstein cows, have great udder support due to their shape. In keeping with their lightweight appearance, they have short hair and skinny limbs. The lightweight and long legs of this kind of cow make them easy to handle and help them thrive in muddy environments.
Jersey cows provide milk that is high in total solids, fat, and protein, resulting in superior milk and a higher selling price. The excellent conversion with a diet consisting of pasture and fodder makes these productive benefits better values. A Jersey cow also adapts well to many types of soil and temperature, but it is extremely resistant to moderate heat.
A Jersey cow can typically produce 10,000 liters of milk during each lactation. Their milk output ranges between 5,000 and 6,000 liters per lactation under tropical and wide area circumstances.
Jerseys' milk is a great source for dairy goods like cheese because it is high in fat, especially fatty blood cells. This benefit translates into a higher selling price in various nations.
3. Brown Swiss
Brown Swiss cows were brought to America in 1869 from Switzerland and are currently thought to be the oldest breed. After the Holstein breed, it is the cow breed with the second-highest lactation rate.
Brown Swiss cows have dark brown hair, as suggested by their name. It has short, thin fur. Brown Swiss has superb leg conformation because to its ability to adapt to the Swiss Alps, making it rustic on steep terrain.
A medium-sized breed, brown Swiss cows weigh between 1,300 and 1,400 pounds. The environment from 0 to 3,600 meters above sea level is where it adapts the best. Due to its physical makeup and high manufacturing, it has good strength and support.
A Brown Swiss cow, the second-highest milk-producing breed, may yield between 10,000 and 12,000 liters of milk throughout a lactation. They are also the breed of cows that yield milk with the most total solids and proteins. Even when fed a diet of hay, brown Swiss cows convert at a high rate.
4. NORMANDE
The name of the Normande cow breed comes from the Normandy region of France. Several breeds were crossed to create the breed in the 19th century. The countries with tropical climates are ideally suited for Normande cows, a dual-purpose breed primarily raised for milk production.
The white fur of Normande cows has coloured spots, such as dark brown, reddish, or yellowish ones. They have a big head with dark snouts and patches that resemble glasses around their eyes, giving them the glasses appearance.
A medium-framed breed, Normandes can weigh between 1,200 and 1,500 pounds. They are heavier because they serve two purposes.
The breed has a sturdy, rectangular appearance and is distinguished by its broad chest and abdomen. It has strong muscles needed for meat production and great leg conformation. A Normande cow's strength and size make it well-suited to producing big amounts of milk.
Normande cows are exceptional milk producers given their dual-purpose genotype. Each lactation, they are capable of producing 6,000–7,000 litres of milk. Additionally, the high protein and fat content of their milk makes it advantageous for the manufacture of cheese and butter.
5. SIMMENTAL
The Simmental cattle breed is a versatile cow that can provide both milk and meat. But in recent years, new agricultural methods have been developed, and as a result, the Simmental breed has undergone genetic improvement to become a good milk producer. These breeds of cattle are the greatest in their field—better than other breeds with comparable traits—due to their mixed conversion and milk production yield.
Simmental colour can be equally dispersed or distinct in places over a white background, and it ranges from red to gold with white. The shoulders are typically covered in a white band, and the head is white. The majority of cows have pigment around their eyes, which helps to lessen eye problems brought on by intense sunshine.
They have a big frame and great muscle, and the cow measures 135 to 150 cm at the withers. Depending on its use, a Simmental cow's weight can range from 2,100 to 2,500 pounds.
Simmental cows are good milk producers because they are a dual-purpose breed with the highest fertility performance. They may often produce 9,000 liters with each lactation.
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