Holstein cows are a breed of large dairy cattle originating in northern Holland and Friesland. But these amazing cattle are now bred and shipped around the world for their amazing milk production. Australia’s Livestock Exporters is an ethical and world-leading dairy exporter that can supply you with Australian Holstein Friesian cattle. Read on for more facts about the holstein cow and its characteristics.
If someone asked you to picture a cow grazing in your mind, chances are you’d conjure up the image of a Holstein cow. Their black and white spotted coat is an idyllic representation of dairy farming worldwide.
Holstein cows originated in the Netherlands. The gold standard in dairy, they are prized the world over for their high milk yield.
There’s more to this spotted cow than meets the eye. Read on to learn more about Holstein cattle, their history, and characteristics.
Origins of the Holstein Cow
- Holstein cows, also known as Holstein Friesians, are from Europe.
- They were bred and developed in the North Holland and Friesland areas of the Netherlands.
- Originally, their stock consisted of black or white herds belonging to the migrant Batavians and Friesians of the Rhine Delta some 2,000 years ago.
Holsteins were selectively bred and culled for many years to ensure a stock that would make the best use of the area’s abundant grass resources. This practice resulted in a hearty, efficient breed that is now used for dairy in more than 150 countries.
Holstein Characteristics
- Holstein cows have a recognizable pattern of black and white (or sometimes red and white) markings across their hides, with distinct pattern borders throughout.
- They are a large cow, growing up to 630 kg in adulthood.
- They have an average shoulder height of 1.47 meters.
- Healthy newborns can weigh over 40 kg at birth.
- Heifers reach a suitable breeding age at 13 months, by which time they are 363 kg in weight.
- A female of breed stock should give birth between 23 to 26 months, after an approximate nine-month gestation period.
Holstein Statistics
This breed has the highest milk production worldwide. Their achievements have no biological ceiling, and improvements of 1-2% per year are a realistic expectation.
Holsteins are equally suited to stabling or grazing environments. They are adaptable to grassland or mixed farming systems. Whether in high or low-lying areas, they do well in a variety of farming situations.
Calves of Holstein breeding are particularly fast growing, mature very early, and are easy to care for. When managed well, they have excellent fertility rates.
These cows are good-natured and resistant to stress. They function best in herds, as they are not solitary creatures. Whether stabled year-round or put on a bi-annual grazing schedule, they are comfortable and high-performing regardless of farming system requirements.
More than a dairy breed alone, Holsteins have also been used in the beef industry for hundreds of years. Especially when cross-bred with beef breeds, they yield excellent meat quality. While some regions use holsteins exclusively for milk production, other areas use them for both due to their versatility.
Milk Production
The Holstein Friesian breed is world-renowned for its unparalleled milk production value. 83% of the Australian dairy herd, 94% of the Canadian dairy herd, and 93% of the American dairy herd are Holstein cows.
Australian Holsteins have an average lactation period of 305 days a year, with up to 18,000 liters of milk per lactation period. Their milk content is 3.82% fat and 3.21% protein. 9,256 Australian farmers utilise the Holstein breed.
Top producing individuals, milked three times daily, have been known to produce over 30,000 kg of milk in a 365 day period.
Genetic Improvements
Artificial insemination technology has contributed greatly to the improvement of the Holstein breed. Since the 1940s, AI has grown into an efficient and reliable breeding method. Today, the majority of Holstein births are the result of artificial insemination.
Because of AI technology, a single prize bull can father 50,000 female calves. Genetic tracking makes it easy to predict performance and quality in future offspring of any given sire.
Genetic refinement and testing also allow for dairy producers to evaluate genetic potential in their stock at a very early age. This helps them to make educated decisions on breeding pairs, which results in better offspring.
These genetic improvements help target desirable traits in the breed, such as heartiness, body size, and production levels. AI can also help target and spread specific positive attributes depending on if the calves are intended for the dairy or beef industry.
Famous Holsteins
William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, owned a prized pet cow from 1910 to 1913. Named Pauline Wayne, the presidential cow provided milk to the first family and was a popular fixture on the White House lawn.
A Wisconsin heifer named Gigi smashed the world record for milk output in 2016, producing 33,860 kg of milk in a 365-day period. This nine-year-old Holstein nearly tripled the production of her peers, far outperforming the previous record that was set in 2010.
A Superior Breed
Holsteins are the most valued of the cattle breeds and for good reason. The Holstein cow dominates the dairy industry in number and output across the globe, from Europe to China to America. Their long pedigree and specialized breeding make them a profitable investment for dairy farmers.
If you are looking for a reliable, even-tempered, adaptable animal that is well-suited for a variety of farming systems, Holstein cattle are the superior choice of the dairy breeds.
