DAIRY MODULE 1: BREEDS AND SELECTION,

Tina Horn, Mark Cathcart, and Alana West

 Objectives
In this module you will learn about the six major dairy breeds,
their physical characteristics, origin, production capabilities,
and other facts that make them unique or different from the
other breeds. In addition, you will gain insight into why some
producers may choose one breed over another and the
strengths and weaknesses of each breed.

You will also learn about pedigrees and common dairy terms
Learning Objectives:
• Cloverbud (Ages 5-8) should:
• Be able to identify the six major dairy breeds and one interesting fact about one
of the breeds.
• Know the difference between of a cow, a heifer, and a bull.

• Juniors (Ages 9-13) should:

• Be able to identify the six major dairy breeds, the largest and smallest breed, the
highest producing breed in pounds of milk, the highest producing breed in
butterfat percent
• Know key terms on the first slide of dairy terms

• Seniors (Ages 14-18) should:

• Be able to identify the six major dairy breeds and their physical characteristics
(color, size, and production rank)
• Know the meaning of the highlighted terms throughout the module
• Understand the difference between recessive and dominate genes and be able to
give an example
• Be able to read a basic pedigree
 Overview of Breeds, Selection, and Terms
• Beef vs Dairy

• Focus on 6 major Dairy Breeds

• Breeds and Selection

• Pedigrees

• Dairy Terms
 Cattle Breeds
Cows come in all shapes and sizes

And are raised for human use

Consumption and Work

Those with common size, color, abilities, and

other characteristics are classified as breeds

Cattle are broken down into 3 Categories

Dairy
Beef
Dual purpose
 Cattle Breeds

Dual Purpose
used for both
meat and milk

Dairy Breeds Beef Breeds

Utilized for milk production Utilized for meat production
Do well in converting feed and forages Do well in converting feed and
into milk forage into meat
Characteristics Characteristics
Lean Heavy muscle
Angular Rapid growth
Well developed mammary system
 Dairy Breeds

There are over 800 different breeds of cattle in the

world
Only 8 of these breeds are characterized Dairy
Holstein
Red and White Holstein
Jersey
Guernsey
Brown Swiss
Ayrshire
Milking Shorthorn
Milking Devon

All of the major dairy breeds originated in Europe

Holstein Color Pattern:
Black & White or Red & White
Can be mostly black, mostly red, mostly white
or anywhere in between

Origin:
the Netherlands
Came to the US in 1852

Size:
Largest of the Dairy Breeds
Average mature cow weighs 1,500#
and stands 58 inches tall at the shoulders

Production:
Average U.S. Production 25,000# of milk/lactation
Produce more milk than any other dairy breed
Average Fat content in milk: 3.65%
Average protein content in milk: 3.2%
 Holstein
Holstein calves weigh an average
of 90# at birth.

The most popular dairy breed and make up

90% of the US dairy population.

The World Record holder for

milk production is a Holstein;
Selz-Pralle Aftershock 3918
produced 78,170 of milk in
one lactation in 2017.

The Holstein breed is known for high milk

production, but has less butterfat and protein
based on percentage in the milk, compared
other breeds.
Holstein
The Red and White coloring in some Holsteins
is caused by a recessive gene and appears
when the dam (mother) and sire (father) are
both carriers

Just like in humans, every animal inherits two

genes for each trait from their parents. Some
genes are more dominant than others. For
example, brown eyes are dominant over blue
eyes. If someone has a brown eyed gene and a
blue eye gene, they will have brown eyes. They
will only have blue eyes if both genes are blue.

The brown eyed gene is called the dominant

gene and the blue eyed gene is the recessive
gene, just like the black hair coat gene is
dominant and the red hair coat is recessive.
Jersey
Color Pattern:
Vary from a very light gray or mouse color
to a very dark fawn or a shade that is
almost black. White markings are also
acceptable.

Origin:
The Isle of Jersey in the English Channel
Came to the US in early 1850’s

Size:
Smallest dairy breed
1,000# mature weight
Production:
Produce milk with highest fat and protein
Average U.S production: 18,020#s
Average Fat: 4.8%
Average Protein: 3.7%
 Jersey
Jerseys are the most efficient of the dairy
breeds. They produce more milk per pound of
body weight that any other breed.

They are also know for high fertility rate and

low dystocia rate (calving difficulty) but have
a high rate of hypocalcemia (milk fever).

Milk Fever is a disorder that occurs following

the cow giving birth when milk production
exceeds the cows ability to mobilize calcium.
Guernsey
Color Pattern:
Fawn (light reddish brown) to red and white
Hooves, udder, tail, and muzzle do not have pigment so in a
purebred these will always be white or cream colored

Origin:
The Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel
Came to the US in 1840

Size:
Moderate in size
1,200# mature weight

Production:
Average U.S production: 17,000#s
Average Fat: 4.7%
Average Protein: 3.4%
 Guernsey
Guernsey milk is “golden” in color due to
the high protein and fat components and
also because of a high concentration of
beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene is also the pigment that

gives carrots their orange color. The body
converts this substance to Vitamin A,
which is important for healthy eyes,
immune system, skin, and mucous
membranes.
Brown Swiss Color Pattern:
Range from a deep brown that is almost
black, to a light greyish brown.
Will also have a dark tail switch, dark hooves, deep brown
eyes and a black nose.

Origin:
Switzerland
Came to the US in 1869

Size:
Larger dairy breed (2nd in size to Holstein)
1,500# mature weight

Production:
Produce milk with highest fat and protein
Average U.S production: 22,040#s
Average Fat: 4.0%
Average Protein: 3.5%
 Brown Swiss
Brown Swiss are known for having very good
feet and legs. Sound feet and legs were a
must for the beginnings of the breed in
Switzerland grazing the mountain slopes.

Originally known as a dual purpose breed

utilized for meat and milk.

Brown Swiss have the longest gestation

period of the dairy breeds- 287 days.
This is 7 days longer than the average
gestation of 280 days.

Gestation period is the length of time the

animal is pregnant.
Ayrshire
Color Pattern:
Red and white- Can range from a light shade
of orange to dark brown.
Can be nearly all white or all red
Brindle and Roan color patterns are also possible

Origin:
The County of Ayr in Scotland
Came to the US in 1822

Size:
Moderate sized dairy breed
1,400# mature weight

Production:
Average U.S production: 14,500#s
Average Fat: 3.9%
Average Protein: 3.3%
 Ayrshire
Ayrshire were once known for their horns. If
properly trained, they would gracefully curve out
and could grow up to 2 feet or more in span.
Horns are not practical now and can
unintentionally cause injury to other cattle and
people, so cattle born with horns are dehorned at
a young age.

Another distinct characteristic of Ayrshire cattle is

the possibility of a brindle or a roan hair coat.
Brindle is a coat coloring pattern in animals that is
sometimes described as "tiger-striped“. The
streaks of color are irregular and darker than the
base color of the coat, although very dark
markings can be seen on a coat that is only
slightly lighter.
Milking Shorthorn
Color Pattern:
Red, red with white markings, white, or roan

Origin:
Northeastern England, in the Valley of the Tees River
Came to the US in 1783

Size:
Moderate sized dairy breed
1250# mature weight
Production:
Produce milk with highest fat and protein
Average U.S production: 15,000#s
Average Fat: 4.0%
Average Protein: 3.5%
 Milking Shorthorn
Like Ayrshires, Milking Shorthorn can also
be Roan in color. In these breeds, white
and red coat color genes are co-dominant,
resulting in the roan (evenly mixed white
and red) and unique color patterns.

Milking Shorthorn are another dual

purpose breed. However, in many cases
there is more of a distinction between
those that are used for milk and meat. They
are registered as Milking Shorthorn or just
Shorthorn.
 Dairy Breeds and Selection
Traits and Selection
Milk Production Facts
Breed body wt. fat lbs. Fat lbs. Milk
Holstein 1,500 3.65 912 25,000
Ayrshire 1,250 3.95 572 14,000
Jersey 1,000 4.80 864 18,000
Brown Swiss 1,500 4.00 880 22,000
Guernsey 1,200 4.70 799 17,000

Things to Remember
Each of these breeds have strengths and weaknesses that producers have to take into account when they are deciding which breed(s)
will make up their herd.

• Holsteins produce the most milk, but have the lowest butterfat, are the largest of the breeds, and require more feed than most.
• Jerseys produce one of the least amounts of milk, but have the highest butterfat and require less feed.
• Brown Swiss are similar in size and feed requirements to a Holstein, but produce less milk. However, they are know for having very
sound feet and legs and longevity y(they stay in the herd a long time).
• Guernsey produce less milk, but are known for producing milk high in beta-carotene and A2/A2 milk.
Reading Pedigrees
Pedigree
formats and
most
information
contained in
them is the
same
regardless of
the breed
 Reading Pedigrees
The top portion of the pedigree has information about that particular
animal and what she may be genetically capable of producing

Breed and what percentage registered

Date of Birth
Animal’s
Name

Registration
number

genetic averages or numbers identification number,

Owner
 Reading Pedigrees
The remainder of the Information on her
pedigree is the grandparents is listed on
information on her the right hand side as
parents (dam and follows:
sire). Paternal grandsire
Paternal grandam
Her sire and dam are Maternal grandsire
listed on the left side Maternal grandam
of the page. The
sire(father) is listed
on top and the Information on their
dam(mother) is listed production and genetic
on the bottom averages is included
under each
 Cow Pedigrees
Breeders can have their cattle evaluated for type (conformation) through their breed
association's linear classification programs. This linear classification is based on the functional
soundness and appearance of the animal. Classification scores are a tool producers can use to
breed, develop and market higher producing, more durable cows.

This information can also be found on the pedigree

On a cow that has been classified, it will

show her classification score and at what
age she was classified

This cow scored Good Plus 82 when she

was 5 years and 10 months old.

The letters and symbols that follow are score for specific traits.
Capacity, Dairy Strength, Rump, Feet and Legs, and Udder
 Cow Pedigrees
A cow will also have her
production records included
in her pedigree for each
lactation

Those records will include:

• AGE- Her age when the lactation started
• X-How many times a day she was milked during that lactation
• Days- Number of days she milked in that lactation
• Milk- Pounds of milk she produced in that lactation
• DCRM- Data Collection Rating for Milk
• %- Average Percent Fat
• Fat- Total pounds of fat she produced during that lactation
• %-Average Percent Protein
• PRT- Total pounds of Protein
 Holstein Pedigrees

PTPI (Pedigree Total Performance Index) is an index based on a combination of traits. It helps sort out animals
based on their genetic potential to be the productive in a herd. It takes into account production, type, animal health
traits like somatic cell count, and pregnancy rates.

PTAs (Predicted Transmitting Ability)express the level of genetic superiority or inferiority an animal is expected to
transmit to their offspring and helps producers rank animals based on their genetic merit.

PTAs are listed for M(milk), F(fat), P(protein), PL(Productive Life), SCS(Somatic Cell Count), DPR(Daughter Pregnancy
Rate), DCE(Daughter Calving Ease), T(Type), UDC (Udder Composite), and FLC(Feet and Leg Composite)
 Dairy Terms
• Bull - Mature male dairy animal

• Cow - Mature female dairy animal that has produced one or more calves

• Heifer - female dairy animal that has not borne a calf

• Calf - male of female dairy animal under one year of age

• Steer - a castrated male used for beef production

• Freemartin - infertile heifer that is born twin to a bull calf

• Polled - condition of naturally hornless

 Dairy Terms
• Springer - cow or heifer showing signs of being close to calving

• Calving/Parturition - giving birth

• Dairy Character - characteristics indicating the animal will be a high milk producer

• Butterfat - percent of fat in the milk

• Milk Production - amount in pounds of milk that a cow produces during a lactation period

• Lactation - span of time that a cow is giving milk

• Usually around 300 days/year

• Estrus - Animal is in heat and can be bred

• Releases egg at this time
• Occurs n average every 21 days
• Average length of estrus is 12-24 hours
Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle
Quiz

1 2

3 4
 Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle
Quiz

5 6

1. Which breed produces the largest volume of milk?

2. Which breed is known for having exceptional feet and legs?
3. Which breed(s) can have roan haircoat coloring?
4. Which breed is the most efficient?
5. Which breed has milk that is high in beta carotene?
6. Which 2 breeds do you think are know as the Channel Island Breeds?
 Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle
Quiz

Brown Swiss Holstein

Guernsey
Jersey
 Major Breeds of Dairy Cattle
Quiz

Ayrshire
Milking Shorthorn

1. Which breed produces the largest volume of milk? Holstein

2. Which breed is known for having exceptional feet and legs? Brown Swiss
3. Which breed(s) can have roan haircoat coloring? Ayrshire and Milking Shorthorn
4. Which breed is the most efficient? Jersey
5. Which breed has milk that is high in beta carotene? Guernsey
6. Which 2 breeds do you think are know as the Channel Island Breeds? Jersey and Guernsey
 Dairy Breeds and Selection
Can you remember what you’ve studied?

1. What is a bull?
2. What is a heifer?
3. What is the average weight of a Holstein calf?
4. What is dystocia? Which breed is know for having very little dystocia?
5. What is a cow?
6. What is the term for the span of time that a cow is giving milk?
7 What causes the Red and White color pattern in a Holstein? Give another example of this.
8. What is the term for the length of time an cow is pregnant?
9. PTA is an acronym for what?
10. What gives Guernsey milk its golden color?
 Answers
1. What is a bull? Mature male dairy animal
2. What is a heifer? female dairy animal that has not borne a calf
3. What is the average weight of a Holstein calf? 90pounds
4. What is dystocia? calving difficulty Which breed is know for having very little dystocia? Jersey
5. What is a cow? Mature female dairy animal that has produced one or more calves
6. What is the term for the span of time that a cow is giving milk? Lactation
7 What causes the Red and White color pattern in a Holstein? A recessive gene Give another
example of this. Blue eyes
8. What is the term for the length of time an cow is pregnant? Gestation
9. PTA is an acronym for what? Predicted Transmitting Ability
10. What gives Guernsey milk its golden color? Beta Carotene
Author and for more information
Tina Horn- Extension Associate- Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
thorn@Clemson.edu

Reviewers
Mark Cathcart- Union County 4-H Agent- Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Alan West- Newberry County 4-H Agent- Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service