The 3 most impressive dairy cows

Dairy cows are mammals belonging to the bovine family . Dairy cattle have been easy to tame over the centuries. Their most important quality is that they produce the largest amount of milk consumed by people worldwide.

However, the extraction of milk is not the only way in which these cows are used. Dairy cows also provide leather to the market. Formerly, 10 cows were needed to produce what currently produces a single .

Milk production yields of a dairy cow depend on four factors: genetic capacity, program of feeding, herd management and herd health. From this it follows that the better you care for your cows, the better your production will be.

If you are considering having a dairy cow, you should keep in mind certain things. For example, if the cow comes from a pack, it can feel lonely and need company. For this reason, it is advisable to have one or two companions with her at all times. This ensures that your production does not deteriorate.

Proper feeding of dairy cows is a very important factor to consider. A feeding program must take into account the quantity and quality of food that cows consume.

Cows are herbivorous animals that have four stomachs. Because they do not have incisors in the maxilla, they can not consume short grasses. However, they can consume large quantities in a very short time, and digest it while resting.

Three types of dairy cows

There are numerous breeds of dairy cows scattered all over the world, but There are three that are considered the most important for milk production worldwide. These are Jersey, Switzerland and Holstein.

1. The Jersey cow

Of the breeds of English dairy cows, the Jersey is the most widespread. It owes its name to the island of Jersey, located in the channel of the spot between England and France. This is the smallest breed among all European races. However, its size is not an impediment to its great capacity to produce milk and, especially, butyric fats.

Butterfat is a type of fat of animal origin, which is obtained and concentrated from fresh milk of cow It is used in fresh, ripened and processed cheeses, as well as in sweet, sour or whipped creams, shortenings and ice creams.

The average fat content in the milk of these cows is 5%. However, there are Jersey cows that produce up to 6% fat. Like most dairy cows, the Jersey cow is not suitable for meat production .

It is a small animal with a weight of approximately 350 to 450 kilograms. Its fur is light reddish or dark. The great strength of this breed of dairy cow is that, unlike others, it adapts very well to tropical climates .

Its ability to adapt to tropical climates and resistance to various diseases make it a highly prized specimen . Among the cows of temperate zones, the Jersey is the most attractive option for the crossing of cattle in order to improve the tropical races.

2. The Swiss cow

The Swiss brown cattle is one of the oldest breeds, a direct descendant of the bovine type of short horn. The most distant representatives lived in the year 2000 a.C. approximately.Due to its high productivity and resistance, it expanded throughout Central Europe very quickly. In America it was first seen in the year 1869, when seven cows and a bull were brought to the United States.

The Swiss brown race is strong and vigorous. The range of colors of its fur ranges from dark brown to a lighter one. In general, Swiss cows have a pattern in two colors on their fur: white and brown . Swiss cows tend to change color according to age and season. Their horns are white with black tips, they are directed upwards and are medium-small in size. Their developed hindquarters are quite fleshy.

Adults are very strong and of good weight. Cows can weigh between 600 and 700 kilograms, while bulls have a mass of about 1 000 kilograms. But specimens of both sexes have been seen with more weight, of course. The Swiss cow lives approximately 12 years, so it is one of the longest breeds.

3. The Holstein cow

Originally from the Netherlands, the Holstein breed is found in the northern areas of this country . They are considered as one of the best producers of milk. Of course, the Holsteins do not support tropical climates well; they develop their full potential in cold and medium climates. For this reason, they are crossed with the Cebu race in order to better adapt to warmer climates.

Presents a characteristic color white with black and sometimes white with red . The proportion of the colors is variable, although it always has the abdomen, the tassel of the tail and part of the extremities of white color.

Its corporal constitution is one of the biggest, and is that adult cows can weigh between 600 and 650 kilograms . On the other hand, adult bulls can exceed 1 200 kilograms. The female has the typical triangular shape that characterizes the dairy breeds and has good-looking udders with medium and rigid nipples.

Holstein dairy cows are in one of the first places in terms of production of milk is concerned, but the butterfat content in your milk is not very high.

Most dairy cows are docile and easy to handle. Remember that if you are thinking in acquiring dairy cows, you must take into account the environment in which they will live. From the weather to the feeding, all the elements play an important role in the development of your cows.