Something I never thought about before I became a subscriber to Cowsmopolitan was how there are different breeds of dairy cows. It was not something I ever would have figured out was a thing on my own, but once they started referring to breeds by name, it clicked. Not all dairy cows are black and white. And you’ve probably heard of Holsteins before, if not also Jersey Cows.
So let’s talk breeds.
As far as I can tell, there are a lot of breeds, with some rarer than others. We’re going to focus on six, because that’s what Dairy Discovery Zone has in their article, and though Midwest Dairy has seven in theirs, theirs has the Red and White Holstein in addition to the regular Holstein, and while I do not doubt the Red and White Holstein’s grandeur, I think it might confuse those of us newer to the cow game.
Thus, the big six:
Holsteins
Image from Cowsmopolitan
There she is. The Holstein. Black and white and famous. Also known as Friesians (Or maybe Friesians are a different breed? It’s possible there’s some debate.), these are the cows you think of when you think of cows. In a milk context.
Jerseys
Image from Cowsmopolitan
Look at her. Strutting. Her. Stuff. This breed started in the Channel Islands. Specifically, on the island of Jersey. They’re a little on the smaller side.
Brown Swiss
Image from Cowsmopolitan
That nose. So sweet. Not a whole lot else to say. They’re brown. They’re Swiss. They live here now. They make milk.
Guernsey
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The other Channel Island breed. I guess these ladies make gold milk. Pretty special if you ask me.
Ayrshire
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Of Scotch descent, the Ayrshires are evidently a little feisty? Classic.
Milking Shorthorn
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And finally, the Milking Shorthorn, sometimes called the Dairy Shorthorn abroad. They’re evidently a rather easy cow to work with. So if you’re looking to start…just kidding. Please do not start a dairy farm without the proper preparation. I do not want to hear about you accidentally hurting any cows.
