Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (2023)

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (1)

Getting a family dairy cow is a great way to up your game! If you have a bit of land and a willingness to learn, having your own cow is entirely doable.

Now let's talk races. Which breed suits you and your family best?

The top family dairy cow breeds for the US are Jersey, Brown Swiss, Milking Shorthorn, Ayrshire, and Guernsey.

Making lots of nutritious milk, cheese, butter and yoghurt yourself is an exciting prospect for any prospective family cow buyer!

We love our cow and the plentiful milk she provides. In exchange for a bit of daily grooming, we get2-3 gallons of real milk, every dayto do with it what we want.

cost of a family cowshows you how to determine the cost of a dairy cow in your area.

Before we go any further, you should know that we milked cows for a living.

Bias alert - we mostly had jerseys! The insights and opinions I am giving you come from practical experience with these breeds.

To find the cow that best suits you and your family, you need to focus your attentioneasy-care, frugal livestockwhich you can probably find in your area.

Breed is only part of these criteria, the individual cow counts more than her breed.

Daily care of your family cowwill walk through the steps you need to take to keep your cow happy and productive.

Nonetheless, breeding is always an easy place to start and will give you and your family some general guidelines to get you started. Let us begin!

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (2)

My list of criteria for family cow breeds

  1. Easy to get by with the attitude
  2. Easy care, low maintenance
  3. Hardy, doesn't need to be coddled
  4. Economical to buy and maintain
  5. Will likely be available for purchase

A few notes before we get started

Attitude is the most important criterion on the list!Bad attitude is a deal breaker, no exceptions!

See my article for a full list of selection criteriaSelection of a family cow.

Be sure to buy a cow, not a heifer!Heifers are untrained and untested, you never know what you're going to get.

A cow knows the game and is more of a safe bet, do yourself a favor and buy a cow! I've read some articles suggesting buying a heifer please don't.

Do yourself a favor and buy the cow!

How much milk do you get from your family cow?discusses your cow's likely production and what you can do to influence the amount of milk you get.

Jersey: the best family cow breed!

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (3)

Overall, jerseys are known for:

  • Rich milk
  • smaller size
  • Easy calving
  • Lots of personality
  • Active and alert
  • Commonly found in dairy areas

Biggest benefit of Jerseys: Incredibly rich milk

Biggest challenge with Jerseys: Active and alert cow

Jerseys are fun little cows! As far as dairy cows go, Jerseys are active and have loads of personality.

Other cows just seem a little slower and a little more boring than a Jersey.

As I mentioned above we've always had a majority of the Jersey herd, we just like them.

We have tried a few other breeds on and off but none compare to the Jersey as an overall easy to handle, healthy, great little cow.

Our family cow Aleene

I'm sure you've read about the richness of Jersey milk elsewhere - it's true! The first taste of real Jersey milk will be a treat and will spoil you for a lifetime!

Our current family cow Aleene (picture above) is one14 year old Jersey milking 2-3 gallons a day on grass(and hay or haylage in winter) alone, no grain.

That's enough milk for us. If we gave her grain, it would increase her production.

Since we no longer need milk and the hay and haylage look like they're giving her the nutrients she needs, she's not getting any grain.

Cow milk production in the familywill help you understand the production cycle of your cow's milk.

(Video) Best Breed For A Family Milk Cow | Feat. Vaughan Family Farm

A smaller cow needs less feed

Because Jerseys are smaller in stature than the other breeds on this list, they also consume less food per day.

That's less hay to procure and less pasture to provide compared to a larger breed cow.

Jerseys are known for their ease of calving

One major benefit for the first family cow owner that you may not think of is that Jerseys are known for their calving ease.

In all our years of milking, rearing a calf was a rare opportunity when the dam was a Jersey or Jersey cross.

Breeding your family cow backgoes beyond when and how to breed your cow to keep her on a good production cycle and keep you milking!

Jersey have a different attitude

I have to admit that a Jersey can be a pretty timid little cow.

If you're thinking that she's not watching, "I can leave the gate open, Aleene didn't see me," think again. She's just good at itLooking for howshe is not watching. When it comes to food, she's seen it!

If you are used to other breeds of cattle, Jerseys are more active. Some people find this annoying, I'll admit.

Ever since we started with Jerseys, I've been amazed at how slow most other breeds seem in comparison.

Overall, a jersey is my best answer to the question "What breed of dairy cow should our family cow get?"

As always, the temperament of the individual matters more than race, howeverTry Jersey as a reliable first cow.

A note on miniature jerseys: Miniature animals are generally more difficult to handle than their full-size counterparts.

It tends to prioritize size and color over more important things like calving ease, ease of care and structural correctness.

To be clear, we've never had a mini jersey before. However, we've seen that Mini-Something seems to have more management issues than their full-sized counterparts.

If your heart is set on a Mini, make sure you get the details on calving ease, production (amount and length of lactation) and the ability to find and use unrelated sires.

Brown Swiss are robust and quiet

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (4)

Brown Swiss is known for:

  • Submissive attitude
  • Milk with higher ingredients
  • Nice sized calves
  • Can be stubborn
  • Can be bossy over other cattle
  • Needs a lot of food
  • May have trouble calving

Biggest advantage at Brown Swiss: relaxed attitude

Biggest challenge at Brown Swiss: bigger cow

Our first experience with these girls was when we bought a beautiful Swiss cow named Twinkie. I loved her - tall, beautiful, calm - she was great!

I really enjoy a great looking Swiss, they are really beautiful cows!

Since we mostly had leotards, we were a bit concerned that Twinkie would be a big baddie. That was not the case at all!

If anything, the little Jerseys went out of their way to tease her.

It was actually funny because no matter how hard they tried to move them, Twinkie just pretended the little jerseys weren't even there!

Swiss are calm, steady cows

The claim to fame for these gals is that they're easy to get, quiet brutes. So true! Steady and calm is exactly the Brown Swiss way.

If you are looking for a calm cow of some size to give you a good sized calf every year, consider a Swiss.

Bigger cow = more feed needed

Since a Swiss is a larger cow, she needs more feed, no wonder! If you don't want to feed grain, this can be a problem.

What your cow needs to eat will of course depend on the feed she is given and her metabolism.

Just be aware that she has to keep up with her body's needsShe'll probably need some extra grain, especially if the forage quality is poor.

Swiss cows can be stubborn

Swiss can also be stubborn.

(Video) The Best Cows for Milk on the Homestead [Top 7 Dairy Breeds!]

Here is an example: At our state milk show it is not uncommon for some cattle from the Swiss show (not the other breeds, mind you) to lie down in the show ring and simply not move!

When she's done, she gets up. Until then, she just stays where she is. Most cattle can be a bit like that, the Swiss just seem to be really good at it.

Swiss have high birth weight calves

The last potential problem with Swiss cattle is calving ease. Any of the larger boned breeds of cattle can have difficulty calving.

Don't let that put you off the breed, just keep that in mind.

Some ways to reduce the likelihood of calving problems are keeping your cow in good shape, giving her plenty of exercise, and using A.I. (artificial fertilization)Choose a bull designed for calving ease.

Ayrshire are hardy grazers

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (5)

Ayrshires are known for:

  • resilience
  • More of an adventurous eater
  • Can be bossy with other cattle
  • Bigger body
  • Long Horns (if not dehorned)

Biggest advantage of Ayrshires: winter hardiness

Biggest challenge at Ayrshires: attitude

We bought two Ayrshire heifers from a dairy sale to see how they would fit into our herd.

She's a nice, strong cow and a real go-getter as far as diving in and getting her share of the feed.

Ayrshires also seem to do well on grass.She's a nice sized cow with lots of capacity (big belly to hold lots of weed) and seemed to keep in shape with minimal effort.

As far as attitude goes, these are nice girls. They are pretty easygoing cows around people.

Ayrshires are potentially pushy with other cattle

I have to admit the biggest Bully we've had in our herd was one of the Ayrshires we bought.

Her name was Nidget. She had a partial horn that she was only too happy to use on her herdmates.

No food bowl has ever been big enough for this girl to share some space with the others! (Once again always good around us.)

The good news is that it was easy to keep in good condition. The not-so-good news is that she had to be monitored to keep her from being mean to others!

No problem if your cow is alone, something to watch out for if she's being overly pushy with other cows.

Ayrshires genetically have longer horns

The Ayrshire has the ability to raise some really great horns, they are a steer favorite for this very reason.

Unless you plan on dehorning your livestock, you need to be aware of the larger horns your livestock will grow.

If you're okay with the horns, don't worry.

If not, you must have a plan in place to remove the horns (a vet can do this for you) or, if that is unacceptable to you, choose a different breed.

Guernsey is loose

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (6)

Guernseys are known for:

  • Wonderful attitude
  • Golden color of milk
  • harder to find
  • The recent breed trend is towards larger-framed cattle

Biggest asset with Guernseys: calm, gentle

Biggest challenge with Guernseys: finding them

The Guernsey is a breed we have never owned. Kind of crazy as we have tried some of many other dairy breeds.

How can I give you practical advice on something I've never owned? In this case we are backup milkers for a friend who has a herd of dairy cows, many of which are Guernseys and Guernsey crossbreeds.

We spend a few weeks with these girls every year.

Are family cows affordable?shows you how to calculate the costs and benefits of having your own cow.

Guernseys are calm, easy-going cows

The first thing that strikes me about a Guernsey is how nice she is and what a treasure she is around. You are only onequiet, darling of a cow.

I was at a dairy sale this fall with only one Guernsey in the catalogue. Such a nice girl and an ideal family cow.

She was also A2A2, like most Guernseys.

A2A2 milk is widely available in Guernseys

In case you don't know, A2A2 milk is the more digestible milk.

If you've heard that some people can digest goat's milk but not cow's milk, that really means they can digest A2A2 milk but not A1 milk (produced by most Holsteins and less commonly other dairy breeds).

(Video) How To Choose A Family Milk Cow

What is A2 milk?is an article from FoodMedicine101.com that goes into more detail on the science of A2 milk.

Guernseys have a golden tint in milk

Guernseys naturally have a yellow tint to their milk. Guernsey milk butter is naturally yellow.

In the days before Holsteins were popular, the Golden Guernsey cow was the thing for exactly this reason.

Guernseys are harder to find

The hardest part about getting a Guernsey is finding one.

If you live near a show herd, consider yourself lucky because you have the best chance of getting a beautiful Guernsey family cow.

The breed trend seems to be towards larger cows

The other thing we've noticed in relation to the breed is that the Guernseys seem to be moving towards a larger framed cow.

A larger bodied cow needs more feed than a smaller bodied cow. That's a bad case for the smallholder, but apparently the direction show genetics is headed.

That doesn't mean all Guernseys are difficult to keep, it just meansChoose a smaller bodied cow that will support the weight more easily.

Shorthorn milking has a dual purpose

Family Dairy Cow: The 5 Best Breeds for Beginners | Family farm cattle (7)

Milking Shorthhorns are known for:

  • Dual use cow
  • She takes care of her own needs first
  • High reproductive efficiency
  • High cheese yield

The biggest advantage of Milking Shorthorns: a true dual-purpose breed

Biggest challenge with Milking Shorthorns: finding them

We had some Milking Shorthorns in the herd with the Jerseys. I like a slightly heavier cow, especially for a small farm or homestead situation.

If you want your cow to be able to do more work herself, such as B. Milking grass and not needing much in the stable (she still needs some shelter), consider Shorthorns.

Some of the most beautifully drawn cows I have ever seen were Dark Roan Milking Shorthorns.

The red part of the mold was pigmented so dark it was almost purple, love the mold pattern! Wow, those are beautiful cows!

Shorthorns tend to maintain body condition

For the most part, Milking Shorthorns' milk production will drop before they drop in body condition.

This is a good thing for a small grower with little experience feeding a dairy cow.

She'll save herself and just cut back milk production instead of not milking herself (and getting sick) because you don't have her ration right.

There are some exceptions!

Our first Milking Shorthorn was from a high producing dairy line and she was a milker!

Her name was Breyer (and I still miss her). She was a light gray with a very milky build and wow, was she a milkmaid!

Great for us as dairy farmers, probably too many producers for one family cow.

Stick with the more powerfully built cows and you'll be just the thing for a family cow.

Steady and occasionally decisive attitude

In our experience, Shorthorns are mild-tempered cattle with an even temperament. I have to admit, once a shorthorn has an idea in her head, she does it.

If she decides to go somewhere, good luck stopping her, she'll just push until it works. I call it "overfuel" (tank, as in military tanks).

All cattle have a little bit of it in them, shorthorns seem to have just a little bit more than most.

Shorthorns are easy to breed

One of the most notable characteristics of a Shorthorn is that they appear to beeasy growers.

We've never had to kill a shorthorn because it wasn't bred back, it's just not a problem for most of these girls.

Shorthorns have a lot of variability in genetics

Some of the cows can have more of a meat texture and we've had a few with exactly the opposite build, very lanky and difficult to handle.

How do I handle this? It's simple, first of all, be careful what you buy.

The fall dairy sale I went to had a couple of shorthorns that came through, they were beautiful and full of dairy character.

(Video) Family Milk Cow / a few things I wish I would have known before buying one

Actually, I was glad I was just there to watch. Deciding which to buy would have been difficult, there were tons of great cows and heifers.

They were all younger stock (you're always guessing with younger cattle) but from what I could tell in a few years any of them would have made a great potential family cow.

Each dairy breed has great qualities

Every breed has wonderful qualities and one or two disadvantages. So how do you vote?

While there is no one perfect breed, there is a near-perfect breed for you.

Still need help? Here's my suggestion: Think about what matters most to you and what's unacceptable or driving you crazy.

Here are a few examples to get you thinking:

  • If you don't want to pull a calf, get a jersey, no question.
  • If you want a quiet cow, get a Guernsey or Brown Swiss.
  • If you want a resilient cow that can do well, get a powerfully built Ayrshire.

I love cows and I firmly believe that there is a breed for everyone.

Think about the things you actually want and need from your family cow (which means going beyond looks).

Buy from a dairy farmer with experience

There are many well-meaning people out there who will buy a cow (or worse, a heifer) and then have problems and be willing to sell it cheap.

I see this all the time on the free online advertising platforms.

Resist the temptation. Get an experienced cow from someone who knows and loves dairy cows.

Not only are you getting a better animal, you are also getting an invaluable resource that can help you overcome any challenges that come with your cow.

A low producing cow on a dairy farm could make a great family cow

An often overlooked opportunity to get a great cow is to buy an older cow from a commercial dairy farm.

A cow that has a great attitude, 4 good teats and quarters but is simply under-producer can be a great choice for the family cow.

This cow must be healthy and have a wonderful attitude.If so, consider buying them.

Our family cow, Aleene, would have been sold a few years ago if we were still milking for a living.

Since we keep her as a family cow, what would be an almost embarrassingly low milk yield for a commercial dairy is great for us.

Breeds that didn't make the list

It's entirely possible that a dairy breed you've researched isn't on my top 5 list.

Does that mean you have to agree with me? Of course not!

However, I have my reasons. (These are not random, popular, or random selections.) You can get any race that you like or that is available to you. The breeds on the list tend to work well for beginners.

Be careful when choosing a breed

We met several well-intentioned beginners who chose a cow breed that wasn't very beginner-friendly.

With somethingpractice and experiencethose cows would have been a good choice.

For a person new to cattle and milking, it was too frustrating and unfortunately heavily influenced their decision to give up the dream of having a family dairy cow.

If your heart is set on a specific race, don't let me stop you.

Be aware of thisSome breeds and individual cows are much more likely to be successful for new owners than other breeds.

If the breed you are interested in didn't make this list, you should read my article12 dairy breeds.

Seven other dairy breeds available in the US are included in this article (but not listed here) with my opinion on their suitability as family dairy cows.

(Video) 10 Small Cow Breeds for Small Farms

Please note: there are also several dairy breeds popular in other parts of the world that are not (or rarely available) available here, so they didn't make my top 5 either, simply based on availability.

If you're looking for a different perspective on dairy breeds, check out the Farm and Dairy articleHow to identify common breeds of dairy cattle.

It has more background information on each breed and includes some great pictures.

FAQs

What are the 5 most common cattle breeds? ›

Popular Breeds of cattle
  • The jones family. Angus. Angus is one of the most recognized cattle breeds, characterized by their black hides. ...
  • the harris family. charolais. ...
  • The Holle Family. Gelbvieh. ...
  • the jones family. hereford. ...
  • the janssen family. red angus.

What is the best cow breed for beginners? ›

As a beginner, what breed of cattle should you choose for your farm? Let's check it out! The more docile beef breeds are Blonde d'Aquitaine, Beefmaster, British White, Devon, Galloway, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Lincoln Red, Maine Anjou, Murray Grey, Pinzgauer, Red Poll, Simmental, and South Devon.

Which cow is best for farming? ›

Holstein:
  • Holstein cows hail from Northern Europe of North America.
  • Holstein cows are usually black and white.
  • They're one of the most popular breeds of cows in the world, and in Australia too! ...
  • They're docile and not aggressive.
  • They easily adapt to both grasslands and mixed farming systems, high and low-lying areas.
30 Nov 2020

What are the top 5 states for cattle? ›

Texas has the most beef cows in the United States in 2021 followed by Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska & South Dakota. Beef cows, at 31.2 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago. Texas has the most beef cows in the United States in 2021 followed by Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska & South Dakota.

What are 5 by products of cattle? ›

Other items which contain beef byproducts are insulin, dog food, rawhide bones, laundry pre-treatment, bone china, toilet paper (to make it soft), glue, dish soap, candles, film, crayons, paintbrushes, printing ink, nail polish remover, deodorants, antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluid, car wax, highways, tires, and so ...

What is the best type of cow? ›

Angus: This is the most popular breed of beef cattle. Their meat quality is excellent and they provide 50 percent of their weight in the meat. Highland Cattle: Though they are not as popular as they once were, they are still in demand by people who know love their meat.

Which is the best quality of cow? ›

Holstein Friesian cows now dominate the global dairy industry. The Holstein-Friesian has the highest milk production of all breeds worldwide. Black and white patched coat (occasionally red and white). Originally a dual-purpose breed, used for both dairy and beef.

What cow breed is strongest? ›

The Chianina is both the tallest and the heaviest breed of cattle. Mature bulls stand up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in), and oxen may reach 2 m (6 ft 7 in). It is not unusual for bulls to exceed 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) in weight.

What is the number 1 dairy breed? ›

The Holstein is the dominant dairy breed in the U.S. • The average Holstein cow produces around • 23,000 pounds of milk, or 2,674 gallons, of milk each lactation. With a standard lactation lasting 305 days, that comes out to 75 pounds, or almost 9 gallons of milk per cow per day.

Which dairy milk is best? ›

Cow's milk

Cow's milk is the most commonly consumed dairy milk and a good source of high-quality protein ( 8 ). It's naturally rich in calcium, B vitamins, and many minerals. It's also often fortified with vitamins A and D, making it a very nutritious food for both children and adults ( 8 ).

What is a dairy cow called? ›

Dairy cows are bred for their ability to produce milk from which dairy foods are made. While there are many different breeds of cows, in the U.S., there are seven different dairy cow breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, Red & White.

How do I start a cattle farm? ›

14 Steps To Start a Cattle Farm:
  1. Choose the Name for Your Cattle Farm.
  2. Develop Your Cattle Farm Business Plan.
  3. Choose the Legal Structure for Your Cattle Farm.
  4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Cattle Farm (If Needed)
  5. Secure a Location for Your Business.
  6. Register Your Cattle Farm with the IRS.
  7. Open a Business Bank Account.

Which cow is best for organic farming? ›

Organic dairy farms producing milk for systems that recompense milk volume would benefit from using higher milk yielding cows, and rustic Holstein-Friesian cows may be the best option in such cases.

What makes a cow to grow faster? ›

Animals fed a complete, nutrient-dense diet will grow faster if fed on a self-feeder than if they are fed a limited amount of feed several times per day. Self-fed animals and those fed 3 or more times per day eat more total feed and are expected to grow faster than animals fed less than 2 times per day.

What state is best for cattle farming? ›

State Rankings
OVERALL RANKStateOverall Score
1Montana59.72
2Kansas58.78
3North Dakota57.35
4Texas57.32
42 more rows
3 Oct 2021

Where is cattle farming most common? ›

1.5 billion cattle

Today, these animals are especially prevalent in South America, where they're primarily raised for meat, and in India, where the animals are conversely valued for the dairy products they produce.

What are 5 benefits of cattle farming? ›

In a pairwise ranking, the benefits obtained from cattle by smallholder livestock farmers are as follows: selling and meat consumption (4), wealth, status and savings (3), socio-cultural activities (2) and draught power (1).

What are the 5 uses of animals? ›

Animals are used for ploughing agricultural fields, they provide us wool for clothing, animals provide us milk, eggs, domestic animals like dogs, cats help humans in recreation. Some animals help humans in obtaining food. Animals were also used for transportation purposes, in the past.

What are the 5 types of beef cattle operations? ›

The beef production systems can be divided into 4 types of operations: cow-calf, backgrounder (also called 'stocker' or 'grower'), feedlot, and seedstock.

What is the most common breed of dairy cow? ›

Holstein calves weigh an average of 90# at birth. The most popular dairy breed and make up 90% of the US dairy population.

What cow is best for meat? ›

Black Angus, Red Angus, and Herefords are the Fords, Chevys, and Dodges of the beef cattle world and are the most common and popular.

How long do dairy cows live? ›

The productive lifespan of average cows is between 2.5 and 4 years in most developed dairy industries. Cows calve for the first time at 2 years of age, which brings their total lifespan from birth to death between 4.5 to 6 years. The natural life expectancy of dairy cattle is approximately 20 years, however.

Why cows are the best? ›

Cows are emotional, social animals who make and keep best friends, love physical affection, show an appreciation for music, and are deeply curious about other creatures and the world around them. They're also ADORABLE.

Which cow gives healthy milk? ›

India's desi cow breeds like Tharparkar, Gir, and Sahiwal have a genetic make-up that yields milk high in A2.

What is the fastest growing cow breed? ›

The Charolais is the fastest growing breed with the highest mature size.

Which cow breed gives more fat? ›

Holsteins have the lowest fat and protein content, while Jersey and Guernsey breeds have the highest. Because Holsteins produce more milk, they generally have a higher total yield of fat and protein than other breeds.

What are the two most popular dairy breeds? ›

The two most recognized and well-known breeds of dairy cattle are the Holstein cow and the Jersey cow.

What is the smallest breed of dairy cow? ›

Characteristics Jerseys are the smallest dairy breed, weighing around 900 pounds when full-grown. They produce milk with higher percentages of protein and butterfat, perfect for making cheese and ice cream.

Which cow gives 50 Litre of milk? ›

Milk production

Gir cow may produce up to 50 litres of milk each day.

Which milk is better than cow milk? ›

Pros of soy milk

It's a good source of potassium and can be fortified with vitamins A, B-12, and D, as well as calcium. It contains as much protein as cow's milk, yet is lower in calories than whole milk and about equal to the calories in 1 percent or 2 percent milk. It contains very little saturated fat.

Why dairy milk is the best? ›

Milk and dairy products are an important part of a young child's diet. They're a good source of energy and protein, and contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. These will help young children build bones and keep teeth healthy.

Which milk has the most fat? ›

The difference between low-fat milk and whole milk is the amount of fat in each serving. This also is reflected in the calories for each as well. An 8-ounce serving of low-fat milk contains 2.5 grams of fat and 100 calories, compared to whole milk, which has 8 grams of fat and 150 calories in the same amount.

How long is a cow pregnant? ›

Is a dairy cow male or female? ›

Just like with humans, there are different names given to cows depending on their sex and stage in life. For example, a female cow younger than 3 years old that has not had a baby is termed a heifer; a male cow is called a bull; and a castrated male is a steer. So a dairy cow is a female that has given birth to a baby.

What is the most common type of cattle? ›

Black Angus is the most common breed of beef cattle in the U.S., with more than 330,000 animals registered.

What are the 5 breeds of beef cattle? ›

5 Best Breeds of Beef Cattle
  • Angus.
  • Hereford.
  • Gelbvieh.
  • Limousin.
  • Simmental.
6 Jun 2022

What are the 7 breeds of cows? ›

Types of Dairy Cows

While there are many different breeds of cows, in the U.S., there are seven different dairy cow breeds: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, Red & White.

What are the 4 types of cattle? ›

Each class of cattle has its own unique nutritional requirements.
  • Calves. Calves all have one goal -- putting on weight. ...
  • Heifers. Replacement heifers represent the future of the breeding herd. ...
  • Cows. ...
  • Bulls. ...
  • Steers.

What cattle breed brings the most money? ›

Angus cattle, also known as Aberdeen Angus are of course a Scottish breed. However, since being imported from Scotland in 1837 they have become the most popular breed in the United States. In fact, Angus and Angus-cross cattle make up more than 60 percent of the U.S commercial cowherd.

Which cattle has best meat? ›

Angus Cattle

Angus beef has become all the rage in recent years thanks to its well-marbled meat, which typically earns Prime or Choice grades from the USDA and is usually the highest-quality meat available in grocery stores.

Can you eat dairy cows? ›

People do eat dairy cows once the cows can no longer produce enough milk to meet the dairy industry's standards. Because dairy cows are pushed to their physical limits on factory farms, the meat from their bodies is generally considered lower quality (or "low-grade") and is used in cheaper products such as ground beef.

What are 3 cattle breeds? ›

Breeds of Cattle and Buffalo
  • Gir. This breed is otherwise called as Bhadawari, Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi, and Surati. ...
  • Red Sindhi. This breed is otherwise called as Red Karachi and Sindhi and Mahi. ...
  • Sahiwal. Originated in Montgomery region of undivided India. ...
  • Hallikar. ...
  • Amritmahal. ...
  • Khillari. ...
  • Kangayam. ...
  • Bargur.

What are the two types of cows? ›

Cattle have been divided into two basic classifications, Bos taurus (non-humped) or Bos indicus (humped, also called Zebu). Because these two types readily interbreed, some authorities now classify them as Bos taurus, subspecies taurus, and Bos taurus, subspecies indicus, or simply call them taurine and indicine.

How many types of cattle feed? ›

Common Types of Cattle Feed. Formula: It can be a mixture of hay, silage, grain, supplement, mineral, salt, by-product, salt, vitamin, etc. Hay: It is a grass, legume, or grass-legume mix. Silage are corn, barley, winter wheat, rye, winter rye, triticale, oats, and pasture grass.

What are 10 by products of cattle? ›

Cattle byproducts include a wide variety of products, like blood, bones, tendons, meat trimmings, fat or tallow, hides, hooves, horns, internal organs, viscera, and feet.

Which cows are used for meat? ›

Michigan State University Extension recommends learning the seven main breeds of cattle have come to be most commonly-used in the United States for beef production:
  • Angus. ...
  • Hereford. ...
  • Braham. ...
  • Holstein. ...
  • Gelbvieh. ...
  • Limousin. ...
  • Simmental. ...
  • Other articles in this series:
6 Aug 2014

Videos

1. Best Breed For A Family Milk Cow | Collab with More Than Farmers
(Vaughan Family Farm)
2. What Milk Cow Is Best For Your Homestead?
(Appalachia's Homestead with Patara)
3. What is the Best Family Cow Breed?
(Homesteady)
4. 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying Dexter Cattle
(Dexter Ranch)
5. BEST AND WORST Livestock for Beginners
(Homesteady)
6. Owning a Family Milk Cow Basics | Family Milk Cow on 5 Acre Homestead | Self Sufficient Homestead
(From Scratch Farmstead)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kelle Weber

Last Updated: 11/03/2022

Views: 6537

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kelle Weber

Birthday: 2000-08-05

Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

Phone: +8215934114615

Job: Hospitality Director

Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.