Our Dairy Cows | Dairy Cow Breeds | Dairy Cow Facts

Milking Shorthorn

One of the world’s oldest breeds, the Milking Shorthorn originated in Northeastern England in the Valley of the Tees River. The first Shorthorns arrived in Virginia in 1783, quickly becoming favorites of the pioneers for their milk, meat and ability as work animals.

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,410 – 1,500 lbs.
Avg. Height: 55 in.
Color: Red, red with white, white or roan

The Holstein Cow

Roughly 2,000 years ago, migrant tribes settling in the Netherlands crossbred black cattle from the Batavians with white cattle from the Friesians, producing what we know today as the Holstein-Friesian. These cows began their journey in America after Winthrop Chenery purchased a Holstein cow from a Dutch sailing master who arrived in Boston in 1852. The cow had provided the ship with fresh milk during the voyage. Chenery soon began importing more Holsteins with other American breeders, helping to establish their presence in America.

Excellent milk producers

Did you know?

Excellent milk producers
Adaptable to many environments
Largest of the U.S. dairy breeds

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,500 lbs.
Avg. Height: 58 in.
Avg. Milk Production: 9 gallons per cow per day
Color: Black and white, red and white

The Jersey Cow

The origins of the Jersey cow are something of a mystery. However, they were originally bred on the British Channel Island of Jersey as their name implies.

Produces milk with 18 % more protein when compared to other breeds

Did you know?

2nd largest breed of dairy cattle in the world
Jersey milk is well-known for being particularly rich in protein and minerals
It contains 18% more protein, 20% more calcium and 25% more butterfat compared to milk from other breeds

Stats

Avg. Weight: 880 – 1,100 lbs.
Avg. Height: 48 in.
Color: Tan with a black nose bordered by a white muzzle

Brown Swiss

Quite possibly the oldest breed of dairy cattle in the world, the Brown Swiss originated in Switzerland around 4000 B.C. The Brown Swiss first appeared in the US in 1869 courtesy of Henry M. Clark from Belmont, Massachusetts, who purchased a bull and seven heifers from Col. G. Burgi of Arth, Switzerland.

Did you know?

Brown Swiss cattle are very adaptable to different living conditions and are able to produce milk until they are 15 years of age.
On average, Swiss cows produce more than 25,581 gallons of milk in a lifetime.

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,200 – 1,300 lbs.
Avg. Height: 55 in.
Color: Brown, Gray

The Guernsey Cow

In 960 AD, Robert Duke of Normandy sent a group of monks to the Isle of Guernsey to educate the native people. The monks brought along their best cattle – the Norman Brindle and Froment du Leon – to create a new breed, the Guernsey. Their arrival in the US occurred via Captain Belair of the schooner Pilot in September 1840. His three Norman Brindles, along with the two heifers and bull from the Isle of Guernsey belonging to Captain Prince, were the original stock of the Guernsey herd that continues today.

Did you know?

Bred for their high-butterfat, high-protein milk, which contains a high concentration of betacarotene
Ideal grazing cows with a gentle disposition and ability to efficiently produce milk with less feed than other breeds

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,000 lbs.
Avg. Height: 54 in.
Color: Brown and white

Ayrshire

The Ayrshire originated in County Ayr, Scotland, some time prior to 1800. Their first appearance in America occurred in Connecticut around 1822. The breed is still very popular in New England as the environment is very similar to its native Scotland.

Did you know?

Herds average as much as 1,977 gallons of milk and 700 lbs. of butterfat

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,200 lbs.
Avg. Height: 50 - 53 in.
Color: Red and white

Milking Shorthorn

One of the world’s oldest breeds, the Milking Shorthorn originated in Northeastern England in the Valley of the Tees River. The first Shorthorns arrived in Virginia in 1783, quickly becoming favorites of the pioneers for their milk, meat and ability as work animals.

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,410 – 1,500 lbs.
Avg. Height: 55 in.
Color: Red, red with white, white or roan

The Holstein Cow

Roughly 2,000 years ago, migrant tribes settling in the Netherlands crossbred black cattle from the Batavians with white cattle from the Friesians, producing what we know today as the Holstein-Friesian. These cows began their journey in America after Winthrop Chenery purchased a Holstein cow from a Dutch sailing master who arrived in Boston in 1852. The cow had provided the ship with fresh milk during the voyage. Chenery soon began importing more Holsteins with other American breeders, helping to establish their presence in America.

Excellent milk producers

Did you know?

Excellent milk producers
Adaptable to many environments
Largest of the U.S. dairy breeds

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,500 lbs.
Avg. Height: 58 in.
Avg. Milk Production: 9 gallons per cow per day
Color: Black and white, red and white

The Jersey Cow

The origins of the Jersey cow are something of a mystery. However, they were originally bred on the British Channel Island of Jersey as their name implies.

Produces milk with 18 % more protein when compared to other breeds

Did you know?

2nd largest breed of dairy cattle in the world
Jersey milk is well-known for being particularly rich in protein and minerals
It contains 18% more protein, 20% more calcium and 25% more butterfat compared to milk from other breeds

Stats

Avg. Weight: 880 – 1,100 lbs.
Avg. Height: 48 in.
Color: Tan with a black nose bordered by a white muzzle

Brown Swiss

Quite possibly the oldest breed of dairy cattle in the world, the Brown Swiss originated in Switzerland around 4000 B.C. The Brown Swiss first appeared in the US in 1869 courtesy of Henry M. Clark from Belmont, Massachusetts, who purchased a bull and seven heifers from Col. G. Burgi of Arth, Switzerland.

Did you know?

Brown Swiss cattle are very adaptable to different living conditions and are able to produce milk until they are 15 years of age.
On average, Swiss cows produce more than 25,581 gallons of milk in a lifetime.

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,200 – 1,300 lbs.
Avg. Height: 55 in.
Color: Brown, Gray

The Guernsey Cow

In 960 AD, Robert Duke of Normandy sent a group of monks to the Isle of Guernsey to educate the native people. The monks brought along their best cattle – the Norman Brindle and Froment du Leon – to create a new breed, the Guernsey. Their arrival in the US occurred via Captain Belair of the schooner Pilot in September 1840. His three Norman Brindles, along with the two heifers and bull from the Isle of Guernsey belonging to Captain Prince, were the original stock of the Guernsey herd that continues today.

Did you know?

Bred for their high-butterfat, high-protein milk, which contains a high concentration of betacarotene
Ideal grazing cows with a gentle disposition and ability to efficiently produce milk with less feed than other breeds

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,000 lbs.
Avg. Height: 54 in.
Color: Brown and white

Ayrshire

The Ayrshire originated in County Ayr, Scotland, some time prior to 1800. Their first appearance in America occurred in Connecticut around 1822. The breed is still very popular in New England as the environment is very similar to its native Scotland.

Did you know?

Herds average as much as 1,977 gallons of milk and 700 lbs. of butterfat

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,200 lbs.
Avg. Height: 50 - 53 in.
Color: Red and white

Milking Shorthorn

One of the world’s oldest breeds, the Milking Shorthorn originated in Northeastern England in the Valley of the Tees River. The first Shorthorns arrived in Virginia in 1783, quickly becoming favorites of the pioneers for their milk, meat and ability as work animals.

Stats

Avg. Weight: 1,410 – 1,500 lbs.
Avg. Height: 55 in.
Color: Red, red with white, white or roan

A walk on the farm with our

Daily
Eats

A lesson in Cowology

A lesson in Cowology

We care about Animal Care

Milking Shorthorn

The Holstein Cow

The Jersey Cow

Brown Swiss

The Guernsey Cow

Ayrshire

Milking Shorthorn

The Holstein Cow

The Jersey Cow

Brown Swiss

The Guernsey Cow

Ayrshire

Milking Shorthorn

A walk on the farm with our

DailyEats

A lesson in Cowology

A lesson in Cowology

We care about Animal Care

The Holstein Cow

Daily
Eats