Have you ever wondered why not all dairy cows look the same? That’s because there are different breeds and types of cows, just like dogs or horses!
In the U.S., there are seven major breeds of dairy cows — Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn and Red and White Holstein.Keep reading or watch this fun video to learn more about each type of cow!
Ayrshires
Ayrshires are recognized as one of the most beautiful of the dairy cattle breeds, ranging in a variety of colors from light to deep cherry red, mahogany, brown or a combination of these colors with white.
Characteristics Ayrshire’s 1,200-pound medium stature equips them to be a strong, rugged cow that can easily adapt to any environment.
History Ayrshires came to the U.S. from the County of Ayr in Scotland in 1822.
Fun Fact The Ayrshire breed is widely known for its “vigorous personality.”
Brown Swiss
Brown Swiss cows are typically solid brown, varying from very light to dark and are easy to spot with their large, floppy ears.
Characteristics These docile giants around 1,500 pounds, making them one of the largest dairy breeds. They are known for their longevity and calm temperament.
History Brown Swiss came to the U.S. from the mountains of Switzerland in 1869.
Fun FactMany historians consider Brown Swiss to be the oldest cattle breed in existence, with records dating back to 400 B.C.
Guernseys
Guernseys are fawn and white in color and are known for their gentle disposition.
Characteristics Weighing around 1,200 pounds when full-grown, Guernseys are about 3/5 the size of Holsteins which is the largest breed of dairy cows.
History In 1831, Guernseys came to the U.S. from the Isle of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel off the coast of France.
Fun FactGuernseys are called the “Royal Breed” because their milk looks golden. They produce high-butterfat, high-protein milk with a high concentration of betacarotene.
Holsteins
Holsteins are easily recognized by their distinctive black and white coloring. In fact, they are the most popular breed of dairy cattle in the U.S.
Characteristics Holsteins are one of the largest dairy cow breeds, weighing around 1,500 pounds and measuring almost 5 feet tall at the shoulder. They are known for their high milk production.
History The Holstein cow originated in Europe and was imported to America from Holland in the mid 1800s.
Fun Fact A Holstein’s spots are like fingerprints — no two are alike!
Jerseys
Jerseys are the second most popular breed of dairy cattle in the U.S. and often stand out with their fawn-color coat, prominent eyes and long eye lashes.
Characteristics Jerseys are the smallest dairy breed, weighing around 900 pounds when full-grown. They produce milk with higher percentages of protein and butterfat, perfect for making cheese and ice cream.
History The first Jerseys were brought to the U.S. in 1850 from the Island of Jersey, a small British island.
Fun FactWith its small size and high milk yield, the Jersey breed is regarded as the most efficient dairy breed.
Milking Shorthorns
Milking Shorthorns are considered the most versatile of all the breeds and are red, red and white, white or roan in color.
Characteristics Milking Shorthorns are average in size, weighing about 1,400 pounds when full-grown. Originally, Milking Shorthorns were imported to the U.S. as a dual-purpose breed, meaning they were used for both milk and beef.
History The Milking Shorthorn originated in northeastern England and arrived in the U.S. in 1783.
Fun FactMilking Shorthorns were helpful in providing early settlers with not only milk, but meat and strength to pull wagons.
Red and White Holsteins
Red and White Holsteins are known for their red and white spots. They are primarily Holstein cows, but may contain genetics from other breeds that have red coloring, such as Ayrshire or Milking Shorthorns.
Characteristics Red and White Holsteins are also a larger dairy cow breed and weigh just shy of Holsteins at around 1,400 pounds. Like Holsteins, they are also known for high milk production.
History The Red and White Holstein originated in the U.S. and Canada, as farmers began selectively breeding for the recessive red color trait in Holsteins.
Fun FactRed and White Holsteins are the youngest cows — they became an established breed in 1964.
FAQs
A cow loses the ability to drink milk at around six months, when it's weaned from its mother's milk or milk supplement. Adult cows drink water, which helps them digest food and metabolize nutrients. A cow will drink anywhere from 30 to 50 gallons (113.6 to 189.3 liters) of water per day.
What is the name for the revolving parlor that takes 10-12 minutes to milk a cow? ›
The Rotolactor is a largely automatic machine used for milking a large number of cows successively using a rotating platform. It was developed by the Borden Company in 1930, and is known as the "rotary milking parlor".
How long does it take to milk 100 cows? ›
It used to take a person 1 hour to milk 6 cows by hand. Today, a person can milk 100 cows in an hour with modern machines.
How many gallons of water does a cow drink to make 1 gallon of milk? ›
The short answer is about 4 gallons according to the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy's 2012 report; the larger answer focuses on why and what impact milk production has on the environment. According to the U.S. Dairy report, 95% of the water required to produce milk is used to grow cow feed.
Should humans drink milk? ›
Humans do not need to consume dairy milk to be healthy.
“The [USDA] recommended three cups per day of dairy milk is too high for most people. Humans do not need dairy milk in order to get all of the nutrients needed in a healthy diet,” according to Allison Childress, Chief Clinical Dietitian at…
Is cow milk unhealthy? ›
Whole milk and 2% milk, in particular, are high in saturated fat. Consuming a lot of saturated fat leads to more plaque (cholesterol and fat) building up in the lining of your arteries, which makes it harder for blood to flow through your body. This increases your risk of heart disease.
What are cow nipples called? ›
A teat is the projection from the mammary glands of mammals from which milk flows or is ejected for the purpose of feeding young. In many mammals, the teat projects from the udder. The number of teats varies by mammalian species and often corresponds to the average litter size for that animal.
What is a milk bucket called? ›
MILK PAIL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary.
How long do cows sleep? ›
A: While cows may lay down up to 12 hours per day, they only sleep about four hours per day! And most of that four hours is just a string of small naps. Q: How long do cows live? A: Dairy cows can live well into their teen years.
Can cows smell water? ›
There is no substantive evidence that cows can smell water.
While the natural lifespan of a cow is 15-20 years, the dairy industry rarely allows cows to live past age five. They're sent to slaughter soon after their production levels drop.
Do cows drink water at night? ›
Water should also be made available even at night. During cold weather, cows can drink warm water to prevent diarrhea. It also helps in the prevention of miscarriage in pregnant cows. And during summer, dairy cows should drink cool water which will help lower their body heat.
How many stomachs does a cow have? ›
Here is the first myth-busting fact, technically cows only have one stomach but it is split into four distinctly separate compartments: the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum and the abomasum. Each compartment has a different role to play in the efficient digestion of food.
Why can't you drink milk from a cow? ›
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk can carry harmful germs, such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. These germs can pose serious health risks to you and your family.
Are cows happy to be milked? ›
In fact, cows enjoy the milking process, even having a favorite area in the parlor to be milked! Dairy farmers herd cows into the parlor, clean their udders with iodine, and attach suction tubes to gently pull the milk from the teats.
Why I don't drink cow's milk? ›
Reasons why people don't drink milk range from taste, personal preferences, animal welfare or environmental concerns. Or it could be due to health conditions or concerns about intolerance, allergy and acne. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk.
Do all cows produce drinking milk? ›
All cows produce milk once they deliver a calf. About 10 months after calving, the amount of milk the cow gives naturally decreases substantially and the cow undergoes a “drying off” period. About 12 to 14 months after the birth of her previous calf, a cow will calve again, thus providing milk.
