Dairy Cattle

head: india, brazil, pakistan, china, Ethiopia milk production: united states, india, brazil, germany, russia production/cow: israel, united states(23,055lb), korea, denmark, estonia

larger export market for butter, cheese, and dried milk products milk is perishable and heavy

dairy industry makes up 10% of all US agriculture of all animal agriculture: 23.6%

best at converting feed to human food; milk is a continuous production for a cow

out grazing on pastures, no grain in diet smaller herds milk production/cow was moderate

maintained in confinement herds are larger and more efficient more grain in diet-more energy milk production/cow 2 to 4 times increased

refrigerated bulk tanks confinement facilities

better quality feed minimal waste during harvest and storage

movement away from component diet replaced with total mixed rations (TMR); deisgned to meet that cows needs, esp at peak lactation

california, wisconsin, idaho, new york, texas (just kicked out PA)

fewer dairy cows but increase in milk production

sum of physical characteristics that adapt an animal to a particular use -product=milk -quantity of milk -% fat content

dairy character: lean, no excess fat cover, lack of muscling, angularity energy is going to milk production

support of udder attachment synthesis of milk components high metabolic demand

produce calf ruminant large volume forage/feed

teat structure mouth and teeth feet and legs

dairy cattle have all been imported from Europe- temperate climates crossbreeding not as common as other species

holstein, jersey, brown swiss, guernsey, ayrshire, milking shorthorn

originated in the netherlands and northern germany second oldest of the pure dairy breeds black and white, or more rarely, red and white unmatched milk production mature cow size is about 1500lbs most common breed in US

originated on the island of jersey (off the coast of the British Isles) color is fawn or cream with black muzzles smallest of the dairy cow breeds (~1000lbs) highest amount of fat in the milk

originated on the isle of Guernsey (off the coast of the British Isle) fawn colored with white markings mid size of the dairy breeds (mature cow size ~1100lbs) milk produced has high fat content ^makes cheese and butter

originated in switzerland oldest of the pure dairy breeds cattle are light to dark brown. nose tongue and tail are black large framed strong and rugged

orignated in scotland they are light to deep cherry red, mahogany, or brown with white patches or solid white mature cow size ~1200lbs

originated from england the color is either red, red and white, or roan mature cow size is 1250lbs multipurpose- beef and milk