The Varieties of Dairy Cattle

Dairy cattle come in a number of different varieties. There are approximately 9 million dairy cows in the United States on some 90,000 dairy farms located in all 50 states. There are more than 10 different breeds of dairy cows, and while their overall numbers have declined, the production per cow has more than doubled.

  1. The Holstein

    • The most common breed of dairy cow in the U.S. is the Holstein or the Holstein-Friesian. This breed originated in the two northern provinces of The Netherlands for which they are named. First appearing in the U.S. in the mid 19th century, they are known for having the greatest milk-producing capacity of all the breeds, which accounts for their popularity. These cows are the iconic balck-and-white variety commonly seen in roadside pastures.

    The Jersey

    • Another very popular breed of dairy cow is the Jersey. Known for its solid light brown color, the Jersey came to the U.S. in the mid-19th century, and is named for the island off the English coast where the breed originated. Notable for its ability to tolerate hot conditions and exceptional milk-fat production, the Jersey is surpassed in popularity only by the Holstein.

    Guernsey Cows

    • The other common breed seen on American dairy farms is the Guernsey. This cow has bloodlines that are traced back to French Alderney cows of the 10th century. The Guernsey is named for the British island of the same name. Like other popular dairy cows, it was introduced into the United States in the 19th century. The Guernsey tolerates heat well and is prized for its ability to reproduce quickly and its high productivity.

    Other Breeds

    • The other two breeds commonly used in dairy production are the Ayrshire and Brown Swiss cows. Ayrshires originated in Scotland, and are a rugged breed with redish-brown and white markings. The Brown Swiss are gray in color and originated in Switzerland, as the name implies.

    Less Common Dairy Cows

    • There are several other breeds of dairy cows as well, although these are far less common than Holsteins, Jerseys and Guernseys. These include cows such as the Dutch Belted, Kerry, Milking Devon and the Norwegian Red, among many others. These breeds are not commonly used in large-scale dairy operations.