DAIRY BREEDS OF CATTLE 



661 



types and developing strains which excel more particularly in yield and 

 economy of milk production. In the eastern and middle sections of the 

 United States the breed is gaining favor and promises to have a place 

 sooner or later of equal rank with older and better recognized breeds of 

 dairy cattle. 



Characteristics of Brown Swiss Cattle.— The breed is noted for its 

 large size and ruggedness. Due to comparatively large bones and robust 

 appearance, it is sometimes regarded as too coarse for economy of pro- 

 duction. Cows will vary from 1200 to 1400 pounds in live weight at 



A Brown Swiss Cow. 1 



maturity, and bulls quite frequently exceed 2000 pounds in weight. There 

 is a tendency toward refinement and less size where dairy type is sought 

 and selected to take the place of the former dual purpose type. Breeders 

 aim, however, to maintain good size and large capacity for milk production 

 in their efforts to develop herds of this breed. 



A dark-brown or mouse color with a line of gray along the back, a 

 mealy ring about the muzzle, a light fringe of hair on the inner side of 

 the ear and more or less light hair on the under side of the body, constitutes 

 the characteristic color of the cattle of this breed. Quite frequently the 

 lighter gray color covers the entire body. 



1 Courtesy of The Field, New York. 



