Kinds of Cows: There are many kinds or breeds of cows in the world. Cows that are kept mainly for milk are called dairy cattle. Cows kept mainly for meat are called beef cattle. Here at Maranatha Farm we keep our cows for milk. We have Jersey cattle and Ayrshire cattle.
Breeds of Dairy Cattle:
The Ayrshire:
The Ayrshire is a breed of dairy cows that came originally from Scotland. They are red and white spotted in color. Ayrshires are a medium sized cow and give milk that is high in butter fat and protein but not as high as Jersey and Guernsey cattle. They are good grazers, that means they can milk well eating grass. They are hardy cows. If you let their horns grow and do not have them removed when they are calves they have beautiful lyre shaped horns.
The Brown Swiss:
Brown Swiss cows originated in the Alps Mountains in Switzerland. They are big boned and are also still used for draft animals in Switzerland. They give milk rich in butter fat and protein. In the Alps farmers graze them in the summer months high up in the mountains and milk them up there in special portable milking parlors. The farmers use the milk to make butter and cheese. Then in the fall months they bring them down (click on the link to see the parade and hear the cow bells) out of the mountains and keep them in barns. Many of the farm families have their homes above the stable area where the cows live. Brown Swiss are good grazers too and strong hardy cows. Some people think that Brown Swiss cows give chocolate milk but that is just a story. They give milk just like all other cows......white milk.
The Guernsey:
Guernsey cattle are fawn and white in color. They have very rich milk which is yellow or golden in color. They originally came from the Isle of Guernsey in the British Isles. Milk from Guernseys is good for making cheese, butter, and ice cream because of its high butter fat and protein content. This breed of dairy cattle is now considered to be a rare breed, meaning there are not very many herds of pure bred Guernseys around.
The Holstein-Friesian
Better known as a Holstein this breed had its beginnings in Holland. The Holstein is the most well know breed in America because many dairy farmers keep them because of their ability to make lots of milk. Their milk is not as rich as the other breeds featured on this page. Most of the milk you drink from stores is produced by Holsteins. They are usually black and white spotted but can also be red and white like Ayrshires. Holsteins are the largest of the dairy breeds in size and popularity.
The Jersey:
The Jersey is the smallest breed of dairy cattle commonly used in the United States for milk production. They are excellent grazers and very efficient in turning grass and hay into rich creamy milk that is high in protein. Their milk is much desired for making cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream. Jerseys were brought to America from the Isle of Jersey in the British Isles. They are usually fawn colored but can also be grey, deep red with black markings on the face and legs, blond, or have white spots like Guernseys. They are intelligent and friendly cows and we think they are the prettiest breed
with their large bright eyes and dish faces
with their large bright eyes and dish faces
The Milking Shorthorn:
Milking Shorthorn cattle are dual purpose cows. That means that they were developed for both milk and meat. They are stockier and meatier than most other dairy breeds. The breed was developed in England. They are red and white and often have a speckled coat instead of spots like Ayrshires.