DAIRY CATTLE AND THE DAIRY-FARM 



99 



In the United States the strictly dairy breeds of cattle, among which 

 the most prominent are the Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey 

 and Jersey, are the dominant animals and are forcing their way into all 

 districts that are important sources of city milk supply. They are the 

 answer of those breeders who have given milk production special thought 

 to the question of milk supply, for their inherited tendency to make 

 milk adapts them to cope with the problem. 



Holstein-Friesian. The Holstein-Friesian is one of the largest 

 breeds of cattle. A reasonable and moderate weight for an aged bull is 

 from 1,900 to 2,000 Ib. and for cows is from 1,250 to 1,400 Ib. The calves 

 at birth average 90 Ib. in weight. In America the animals are almost 

 always black and white displayed in patches; in the Netherlands several 

 purebred herds of red and white animals exist. There is some evidence to 

 show that red was the original color and that the black was acquired from 

 Jutland cattle in the latter part of the 18th century. In shape the 

 animals have a long head, dark or flesh-colored muzzle, and large long 

 bodies, with well-sprung ribs denoting great feeding capacity. The hips 

 are often prominent and the rump long and level. The udder is large 

 and U-shaped with big teats placed at the corners. The cows are 

 copious milk producers; fair specimens should yield from 7,000 to 9,000 

 Ib. of milk a year and many records far surpass this. The milk is chalky 

 white and averages about 3.5 per cent, butterfat but varies within 

 wide limits, some animals producing milk of lower test than the legal 

 standard required by many of the States while others test above the 

 average. As a butterfat producer the breed takes high rank because 

 of the big milk yield. The fat globules are small and do not rise as rapidly 

 nor separate by gravity as perfectly from the milk serum as do the 

 globules of the Jersey and Guernsey breeds; consequently the cream line 

 is not so well defined. 



TABLE 31. HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN RECORDS 



At the present time the breed is generally distributed over the United 



