This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. History of dairy cow breeds: Holstein. Here are a few more fun facts about the Holstein breed: A mature cow weighs about 1, pounds and stands 58 inches tall at her shoulder.
There are more than nine million dairy cows in this country and about 90 percent of them are Holsteins. Holstein calves weigh 80 to pounds when born. Holstein cows take the top awards in milk production. The average cow produces about 25, pounds, or around 2, gallons, of milk each lactation or milking, cycle. Each lactation cycle lasts about a year. Enjoyed learning about Holsteins? Stay tuned for more articles about U. Other articles in this series History of dairy cow breeds: Jersey History of dairy cow breeds: Ayrshire History of dairy cow breeds: Guernsey History of dairy cow breeds: Brown Swiss History of dairy cow breeds: Milking Shorthorn History of dairy cow breeds: Red and White.
Did you find this article useful? Please tell us why Submit. That is about 75 pounds, or almost 9 gallons, of milk daily during a standard lactation of days. The record was set in when she produced 77, pounds of milk that year. When they are 23 to 26 months of age, Holstein cows usually have their first calf. Healthy calves weigh in at about an average of 90 pounds at birth.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get your weekly dose of Ag Facts. Sign Up for Our Email Newsletter and get ag facts bi-monthly, plus new jobs in agriculture. Karyn enjoys learning and discovering new ways to help job seekers and clients to reach their goals. Holstein cows produce more pounds of milk than any of the other dairy breeds, with the average Holstein producing around 23, pounds of milk, or 2, gallons, of milk each lactation, which averages out to about 75 pounds, or almost 9 gallons of milk per cow per day.
The current world record for milk production in a single lactation is held by Selz-Pralle Aftershock , who produced 78, pounds of milk in a year, in Genetic Merit While the first two categories apply primarily to females, outstanding genetic merit is directly measured in both cows and bulls. Each Registered Holstein has estimates of genetic merit calculated for them, based on the genetics and actual performance of their ancestors and other related animals.
Genomic testing is a newer technology which analyzes the actual genes an animal possesses based on a hair sample , which allows breeders to get a more accurate estimate of genetic merit and future performance than ever before, on animals of any age. This technology is especially useful in young animals that have no performance information of their own.
The Holstein Association updates these estimates of genetic merit three times per year and publishes lists of high ranking animals. The Association has also created a formula to help breeders sort out animals which excel in many traits possessed by profitable cattle, known as the Total Performance Index TPI. The TPI formula combines various health, conformation, and production traits, and is a common standard used to rank Holstein cattle.
Animals ranking high for TPI values, or other important traits, are in demand as breeding stock. There are a few other novel genetic traits an animal may possess which would increase their potential value, such as carrying the polled naturally hornless gene, or carrying the gene for red and white hair color. These traits are less common in the Holstein breed, thereby making animals which possess them particularly if they also excel in other traits more valuable.
Official Holstein Pedigrees may only be issued by Holstein Association USA, combining a wealth of ancestry, performance and genetic information on a single page. While each animal is different, their information is all presented in the same format, making it easy to evaluate and compare animals. Typical pedigrees include three generations of information on one page, including the animal, its sire and dam, and its paternal and maternal grandparents. Paternal information related to the sire and his ancestors is found on the top half of the pedigree, and maternal information related to the dam and her ancestors is found on the bottom half of the pedigree.
Aside from providing owners and breeders with a great deal of information about their animals, Official Holstein Pedigrees also serve as a verified source of ancestry, performance and genetic information when selling animals, giving the buyer trusted documentation that information presented on the animal is accurate. Show your Holstein pride with one of our free desktop backgrounds. Each features U.
Registered Holsteins in different settings, and provide the ideal backdrop for any Holstein enthusiast's computer screen. The Holstein Association USA phone number and website are also included, so you never have to search if you need to get in touch with us. Download each desktop for free. Log In. Holsteins , by Richard H.
Holstein cattle are easily recognizable by their distinctive black and white markings, but may also be red and white in color caused by a recessive genetic trait. Mature Holstein cows typically weigh around 1, pounds and stand 58 inches tall at the shoulder, making them the largest of the U. Holsteins are known for their outstanding milk production, desirable phenotypic characteristics, and adaptability to a wide range of environments.
There are over 9 million dairy cows in the U. Holsteins can thrive in the many various management settings of the U. Holstein cows typically calve for the first time when they are 23 to 26 months of age, with healthy calves weighing an average of 80 to pounds at birth. Holsteins have a gestation period of nine months. Holstein cows give more milk than any other dairy breed in the U. The average Holstein cow produces around 23, pounds of milk, or 2, gallons, of milk each lactation.
With a standard lactation lasting days, that comes out to 75 pounds, or almost 9 gallons of milk per cow per day. Holstein cattle Learn more about why Holsteins are the breed of choice for U. Artificial Insemination A. This is a common procedure as it is quick and easy to perform, allows dairymen to utilize a wide variety of high quality genetics in their herd, and avoids the health and safety risks involved with keeping a mature bull on the farm.
0コメント