CHAPTER IV 

 HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS 



ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS 



Origin and Distribution in Europe. This breed originated 

 in Holland, and more especially in the province of Friesland. 

 They are not, as the name would indicate, natives of the 

 duchy of Holstein, which is a province in North Germany. 

 The compound name Holstein-Friesian, the official name of 

 this breed in America, resulted from a union of the Hol- 

 stein Breeders' Association and the Dutch Friesian Associa- 

 tion in 1885. In common usage now in America the breed 

 is called Holstein. 



The ancestor of this breed, according to Kellar, was the Bos 

 Primigenius, the wild ox of Europe. This breed is one of 

 the oldest in existence. Historical references indicate that 

 they have been bred in the same region for at least 2000 years, 

 and probably there has been very little, if any, mixing with 

 outside blood. In the time of Caesar the region now part 

 of Holland was famous for its cattle. In the ninth century 

 Holland was well known for its cheese and butter. Accord- 

 ing to Motley, in the seventeenth century Holland exported 

 annually immense quantities of butter and cheese, and was 

 noted for its immense oxen. This reputation has been 

 maintained ever since, and during all these centuries cattle 

 rearing has been almost the exclusive business of the Holland 



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