Holsteins
Rebecca Gronemus
History
The Holstein Breed was first genetically made up be the European settlers (Holstein Association USA 1). Holstein cows produce the most amount of milk, eating the least amount of food. The Holstein Association USA explains, "The black cattle of the Batavians and white cattle of Friesians were bred to produce animals that were the most efficient, producing the most milk with limited feed resources (1). This quality helped the breed to become the most popular dairy breed in the world. The Holstein breed was more commonly known as the Holstein-Friesian in the mid 1800's (Holstein Association USA). This breed was the first to be brought to the United States (McKenzie 3).
Description
The Holstein breed is the most common dairy breed in the United States with the best quantity of milk production. According to the Holstein Association USA, “Holsteins are large, stylish animals with color patterns of black and white, or red and white” (1). The weight of a Holstein calf is about 90 pounds of more at birth. Mature healthy cows weigh about 1,500 pounds, and are 58 inches tall at the shoulder (Holstein Association USA 1). For a Holstein cow, the average time of being able to produce is about 4 years (Holstein Association USA 1). "Holstein gestation is approximately nine months" (Smith 4).
Milk Production
Holsteins are highly valued for their milk production. The breed produces nine tenths of the United States milk production, but has a low content of butterfat (Rafferty 3). The record for the milk produced by one cow in a lifetime is held by a Holstein. In the artical "About Dairy Cows," Miller explains "Cows produce 10,000 liters in a year" (3). The record of milk production in 365 day is also held by a Holstein, and the record is 72, 170 pounds of milk (Mueller 1).
Worked Cited
- Rafferty. "Friedrich Von Holstein (German Statesman)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
- Miller. "About Dairy Cows." - Dairy Australia. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
- "History of the Holstein Breed." History of the Holstein Breed. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
- McKenzie. "Holstein." Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, 1995. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
- Smith. "Select Sires Beef." Select Sires Beef. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
- Mueller, Ray. "Several New Records Established in Wisconsin's Milk Production for 2012."Several New Records Established in Wisconsin's Milk Production for 2012. N.p., 18 July 2013. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
- Anthony, Carl. Pauline Wayne. N.d. Digital. Wikipedia. Wikepedia. Web. 1 Nov. 2013.
- Bauer, Scott. Holstein Dairy Cows Eating Hay. Digital Image. Wikipedia.org. N.p.,21 Sept.2002. Web. 1 nov. 2013.
- Gibson, Mark. Holstein Dairy Cows, WI. N.d. Photograph. AllPosters.ie. Web. 4 Nov. 2013.