DAIRY CATTLE BREEDS

The four major dairy cattle breeds include; the Friesian, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Jersey. However, other breeds such as Brown Swiss are also used as dairy cattle.

Friesian

Friesian is the most popular dairy cattle breed with a potential yield of 40-60 litres of milk per day. It originated in Friesland, a province in Netherlands and is characterized by a short haired coat which is black and white in colour and occasionally red and white. Its average body size is large ranging between 500 to 550 kg.  The breed has high feed requirements (90-110 kg fresh forage/day) and generally exhibit unselective feeding behavior which means that they are suitable where wide variety of feeds are fed. It also requires large amount of water per day. Friesian is highly susceptible to diseases, fertility problems and high environmental temperatures. Despite high milk production, this breed’s milk is usually low in butterfat (3.2%) and protein (3.7%) content and the yield will depend on the level of feeding and other management.

Ayrshire

The breed originated from the County of Ayrshire in Scotland, it has great variations in its body colour ranging from light to deep cherry red, mahogany and brown patches on a white body. The Ayrshire has a high potential for milk production (30litres/day, butterfat 3.9% and protein 3.3%), high feed (90-110 kg of fresh forage/day) and water (60 litres/day) requirements. It is also a superior grazer due to its vigorous nature and is less susceptible to diseases and extreme environmental temperatures. 

Guernsey

The Guernsey is reddish-brown with white patches in colour and has a medium body size. It originated from the Isle of Guernsey, English Channel and has a potential of producing an average of 25 liters of milk per day with moderate butterfat (4.3%) and protein (3.5%) content. Its milk is usually more golden than milk from other dairy cattle breeds. The breed has moderate feed requirements and is adaptable to various climate and management system. It produces small calves which results into less calving problems as compared to Friesian which produces large calves. They are also less irritable therefore easy to handle.

Jersey

The jersey originated from the Isle of Jersey, English Channel, it is typically light brown in colour with black nose bordered by a white muzzle. It has a moderate potential for milk production (20 litres/day) and produces high quality milk among all large dairy cattle breeds (butterfat 5.3% and protein 3.8%). The breed is small in size and well adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. It has low feed and water requirements, high fertility and longevity and less susceptible to milk fever and tick-borne diseases. The jersey is early maturing with short calving interval and less calving problems.

Brown Swiss

The breed originated from the Alps of Switzerland, its colour ranges from silver to dark brown with a black nose, tongue and tail. It has a high potential for milk production with high butterfat (3.9%) and protein content (3.5%) and a persistent milking ability. The Brown Swiss is adapted to various environmental conditions; it is slow maturing, less irritable and stays longer in the herd.