2. (Also called dairy cows) are cattle for the ability to
produce large quantities of milk, from which
dairy products are made. Dairy cattle generally
are of the species Bos taurus.
3. Holstein
This breed is the most
common of the dairy breeds.
Holstein have the black-and-
white markings typically
associated with the dairy
cows. Holsteins also have
better milk production than
other dairy breeds.
4. Advantages: They are known for their excellent milk production,
with some cows producing up to 26,000 liters of milk throughout their
life. Holstein cows can survive in different extreme climatic conditions and
have a longer lifespan than other cattle breeds. However, they have poor heat
tolerance and are not as tolerant of heat, which can impact both their milk
production and their fertility.
Holstein cows have a fast calving rate and the rate of maturity is also
considerable. The male calves produce beef which is beneficial for the
market and farmers.
Disadvantages: The main disadvantage is the low butterfat
content in their milk. These cows can produce a huge amount of milk, but
the butterfat content is very low, so it is not much beneficial. Holstein cows
have poor heat tolerance and are not as tolerant of heat, which can impact
both their milk production and their fertility. Holstein bulls tend to be
aggressive and thus difficult to manage.
5. Jersey
The Jersey is the
smallest of the dairy breeds
and her color ranges from
white to dark brown. The
most heat-tolerant of the
dairy breeds, she produces
milk with a very high
butterfat content (perfect for
an ice cream).
6. Advantages:
higher feed conversion efficiency than other breeds, which means
they require less feed to produce the same amount of milk.
known for their superior grazing ability
lighter in weight than other breeds, making them easier to manage.
suitable for high input high output systems or low cost grass-based
systems
contribute to an easy care herd and require less supervision at
calving time
Jersey cows have a shorter calving interval
greater feed efficiency than other breeds
Disadvantages:
Higher incidence of milk fever
Produce less quantity of milk
Small udder
Dairy process difficulty
Lower growth
Prone to diseases such milk fever, ketosis, udder infections, etc.
7. Brown Swiss
The Brown Swiss is
considered the oldest of the
dairy breeds. Brown Swiss
can vary in color, from silver
to dark brown, and are large
with large ears. Their milk is
ideal for making cheese
because of its high protein-
to-fat ratio.
8. Advantages:
Robust
a prolific breeder
long lived, strong, adaptable, and very well-balanced in build with
good hooves and limbs.
Good for milk production, excellent health with strong udders.
Disadvantages:
Calves are harder to start on buckets
Take longer to mature
Low fertility and production rate
10. Advantages:
Efficiency and adaptability,
ease of calving
the popular breed for crossing
early maturity and fertility, longevity, temperament, high
components
the cheese yield breed and excellent milk quality.
Disadvantages:
Prone lung problems to udder infections
Aggressive attitude
Poor hardiness
Short teats
11. Ayrshire
Known as “aristocrat”
of the dairy breeds
because of their size
and vigor. They are
rusty-red and white in
color and adapt easily to
their environment.
12. Advantages:
Strong and easy to raise
excellent milk production
longevity of production
efficient forage conversion
excellent functional type, health, and freedom of disease and
ailments
economic and profitable milk production.
Disadvantages:
Strong personality which may be difficult for beginners to
handle
13. Milking Shorthorn
Milking Shorthorns
are considered a dual-
purpose breed that can be
used for milk or beef
production. Large in size,
they are often white and
roan in color and their milk
is known for its high
protein-to-fat ratio.
14. Advantages:
well suited to all climates
easy to milk and the calving process is easy.
aggressive but have strong libido
Disease resistance, structural soundness,
long production life and feed efficiency
Most versatile of all breeds.
Disadvantages:
Have some genetic issues (Tibial Hemimelia (TH),
Myostatin (MYO) )
15. Red and White
Knowing that Red and
White dairy cattle generally
carry strong Holsteins
genetics, their origin and
history are that of their
black and white relatives,
except their spots are red.
16. Advantages:
Better heat tolerance
Stronger immune system
Have more resistance to mastitis
Disadvantages:
Grower fewer in number
17. Illawarra Shorthorn
(Australia)
Illawarra cattle can be rich
red colour with a bit of white on
the flanks or roan, other colours
such as broken colours or black
and brindle are not allowed. The
breed has strong dark hooves
and dark pigmentation which
helps protect from skin cancers
and sunburnt teats. They are
medium sized animal with a
confirmation that increase in
depth towards the hindquarters
with a sharp, clean outline.
18. Advantages:
high butterfat and protein milk production
large-framed, horned, and predominantly red in
color, with some whites or roans (mix of red and
white)
very docile and noted for their longevity
Adaptable to a variety of condition
Produce large quantities of milk
many in excess of 40 litres/day
Very adaptable to climatic conditions
Calving ease with superior pelvic formation
Longevity, can keep producing till their early
teens
Strong pigmentation, less skin cancers
Good temperament
19. Fleckvieh (Central
Europe)
Fleckvieh cattle are
medium to large animals with
red pied or solid red colour.
They can be either horned or
polled. Average height of the
mature bulls is about 150-165
cm at the withers, and about
140-150 cm for the bulls.
Average live body weight of
the mature cows vary from
700 to 800 kg. and live body
weight of the mature bulls is
between 1100 and 1300 kg.
20. Advantages:
Fleckvieh dairy cows produce high-quality milk with fat levels on the
high end of the industry standard norm in the 4.2 percent
range. Also, milk protein levels are in the 3.5% to 3.8% range.
Fleckvieh are well adapted to all kinds of climate, including colder
climates like Canada and the USA, or mountain ranges of Germany.
They have a better circulation because of their thick skin and can
dissipate heat better into the ambient environment. Conversely,
during cold winter days, the thick skin helps to insulate the animals.
Fleckvieh bulls are also reliable sources of draught power. Their
gentle disposition is an added advantage making them easier to
herd. Management of this particular cattle breed is relatively lower
due to their innate resistance to some tropical diseases such as East
Coast Fever and udder infections (mastitis).
Disadvantages:
Milk volume tends to be 1 – 3 % less than the traditional Holstein
herds.The size of Fleckvieh works well on a mountain and it also
works well in a modern milk parlor and even robotic milking
machines. However, their frames are such that they can support a lot
of muscle mass and have feet and legs that are strong. This strength
can be a disadvantage when they are put to work in a modern dairy
farm.
21. Lineback (New England)
The Lineback has a very
beautiful coat, it is generally
black on the sides with a
white line down the back and
along the belly as the name
suggests. They can also
come in roan or white with red
or black speckles on their
sides. Two named patterns
are the Witrick pattern where
the cattle have speckled or
dark sides, a black nose,
eyes and ears.
22. Advantages:
Lineback cattle are known for having good feet and legs, as
well as great mammary systems. They’re also known for their
durability and longevity.
They produce high-quality milk that is ideal for cheese and
butter production.
Lineback bulls are also reliable sources of draught
power. Their gentle disposition is an added advantage
making them easier to herd.
Disadvantages:
You may run into calving difficulties depending on the cow’s
bloodline.
Lineback cattle tend to have lower milk yields than other
breeds, such as Holsteins.
23. Sahiwal (Punjab
Region in Indian-
Pakistani border)
Their colour can range from
reddish brown through to the
more predominant red, with
varying amounts of white on the
neck, and the underline. In
males the colour darkens
towards the extremities, such as
the head, legs and tail. It is tick-
resistant, heat tolerant and noted
for its high resistance to
parasites, both internal and
external. The Sahiwal is the
heaviest milker of all Zebu
breeds and display a well-
developed udder.
24. Advantages:
They are known for their heat resilience
high dairy production
naturally resistant to tick bites, high temperatures, and
parasitic infections.
They are well adapted to all kinds of climate and can
withstand extreme weather conditions.
Their gentle disposition is an added advantage making them
easier to herd.
Disadvantages:
The Sahiwal breed requires an extra amount of feed as
compared to other imported breeds.
They drink more than enough fresh and clean water so
farmers must keep them in a wide area where they have water
supply and feed available.
25. Normande (Normandy,
France)
The Normande is a red
and white cow with occasional
sometimes widespread areas
of brown hair. Typically, the
brown hair has the look of tiger
stripes, or brindles,
interspersed with the red spots,
and there is some degree of
balance between the three
different hues. However, one
colour often dominates, and
there is a different name for the
dominance of each colour.
26. Advantages:
Normande cows produce high-quality milk with 3.5%
butterfat per lactation, which is ideal for cheese and butter
production.
They have a higher percentage of muscle to bone mass,
which translates into a higher yield of meat per carcass.
Normande cattle are renowned for their vigor and
fitness. They have a solid structure and few hereditary issues.
Disadvantages:
Normande cattle need plenty of exercises and a forage-based
diet to remain healthy.
They tend to have lower milk yields than other breeds, such
as Holsteins.
27. American Milking
Devon (Devonshire,
England)
The Milking Devon is red
in colour, varying in shade
from deep rich red to light red
or chestnut colour. They may
show white on the tail switch,
udder or scrotum. They are
of a medium size, mature
cows will weigh about 1,000-
1,200 pounds at maturity and
bulls may weigh 1,400-1,700
pounds at maturity. They
have medium sized curving
horns that are light coloured
with dark tips.
28. Advantages:
They are very intelligent animals and comparatively strong
compared to their body size, which makes them excellent for using
as oxen.
They are very low maintenance, requiring minimal shelter, although
shelter is advised to protect your cows from the elements.
They produce high-quality milk that is similar in quality to that of
the Jersey but without the need for grain supplementation, and
many are very productive milkers for the family farm.
Disadvantages:
You may run into calving difficulties depending on the cow’s
bloodline.
American Milking Devon cattle tend to have lower milk yields
than other breeds, such as Holstein.
29. Norwegian Red
(Norway)
Norwegian Red cattle do
not express the external
uniformity seen in a true breed,
although they are red or red-pied
for the most part. Cows weigh
about 495kg to 600kg bulls
about 900kg. They produce
approximately 6200 litres of milk
a year. They are of a medium
size and give a average yield,
average milk-fat and average
meat, they are specifically bred
for these traits.
30. Advantages:
They are known for their longevity, disease-resistance power,
and adaptability to different environments.
The average milk yield is up to 6000 kg per lactation
They are adaptable to different environments, have excellent
milk production, and are easy to breed.
Disadvantages:
Norwegian Red cattle tend to have lower milk yields than
other breeds, such as Holsteins.
The cows do not express the external uniformity seen in true
breed, although they are red or red-pied for the most part.
31. Lakenvelder/Dutch
Belted (Netherlands)
The name Lakenvelder or
Lakenfield cattle derives from
the word “Laken” meaning a
sheet or clot, referring to the
white band passing around the
body. In some countries
animals with this marking are
known as “sheeted” cattle. This
belt or sheet is of pure white
hair extending from the
shoulders to the hip bones and
should encircle the body
completely.The cattle are
otherwise black (or
occasionally red).
32. Advantages:
Lakenvelder cows are prolific milk producers and can produce
milk that compares to the Holstein or Brown Swiss in terms of
yield.
They are small-boned, making them very easy calving. They
have unusual longevity and fertility, high meat yield, and
friendly dispositions.
Lakenvelder cattle are great foragers and have greater
efficiency on grass and forage than the average cattle
breeds.
Disadvantages:
The Dutch Belted bull is an excellent breeder—another reason
it’s mostly used in crossbreeding—and the perfect beef cattle.
You may run into calving difficulties depending on the cow’s
bloodline.
33. Hereford
(Herefordshire)
The modern Hereford is
coloured dark red to red-
yellow, with a white face,
crest, dewlap, and underline.
Herefords with white flanks
and white markings below the
knees and hocks are also
common. Most animals have
short thick horns that typically
curve down at the sides of the
head, but there is a polled
stain in North America and
UK (Polled Herford).
34. Advantages:
They are also popular for their maternal qualities and low-fat
content
longer lifespan and excellent mothering abilities.
They get mature at a very early stage of life, and the calving
rate is high compared to normal breeds.
The temperament of these breeds is calm and pleasant
Disadvantages:
Hereford cattle cannot bear extreme environments, and
sudden climatic changes are not suitable for them .
Calving process of Hereford cattle is easy but there are
chances of vaginal prolapse. Vaginal prolapse can cause
serious problems in cows.
There are few genetic problems in Hereford cattle breed.
These cattle may commonly develop eye cancer.
These cattle can easily get sunburn because the pale udders
of this breed remain exposed to the environment and lead to
sun damage.
35. American Brahman
(United States)
Brahmans vary in colour from
very light grey or red to almost
black. A majority of the breed are
light to medium grey. Mature bulls
are normally darker than cows and
usually have dark areas on the
neck, shoulders and lower thighs.
They have short, thick, glossy hair
which reflects much of the suns
rays and black pigmented skin,
making it able to graze in the
midday sun without suffering.
Their horns curve upwards and
sometimes tilt to the rear plus they
have pendulous ears.
36. Advantages:
American Brahman cattle have exceptional adaptability and resilience,
allowing them to thrive in hot and humid environments and reducing the
risk of diseases and parasites.
They have remarkable reproductive capabilities, reaching sexual
maturity at a young age and having a longer reproductive lifespan
compared to other breeds.
American Brahman cattle offer economic benefits such as lower
veterinary expenses, increased productivity, and sustainable grazing,
providing a reliable and sustainable source of income.
Disadvantages:
American Brahman cattle tend to have slower growth rates
than other breeds, such as Angus or Hereford.
The meat quality of American Brahman cattle is often
criticized for being less tender and having less marbling than
other breeds.
Behavioral issues like aggression and heat stress require
proper management and care.
37. Aberdeen Angus
(Scotland)
Aberdeen Angus cattle are
naturally polled and can be black
or red in colour although black is
the dominant colour, white may
occasionally appear on the
udder. They are resistant to
harsh weather, undemanding,
adaptable, good natured, mature
extremely meat. Angus are
renowned as a carcass breed.
They are used widely in
crossbreeding to improve
carcass quality and milking
ability.
38. Advantages:
They can survive the Scottish winter, which is typically harsh
with snowfall and storms.
They usually mature fast and have a high carcass yield with
nicely marbled meat.
Aberdeen Angus cattle are a breed of cattle that are known
for their hardiness, adaptability, and high-quality beef
production.
Disadvantages:
The meat quality of Aberdeen Angus cattle is often criticized
for being less tender and having less marbling than other
breeds.
Aberdeen Angus cattle tend to have slower growth rates than
other breeds, such as Hereford or Charolais .
39. Limousin (France)
The Limousin is large,
fine and has a strong boned
frame. Mature Limousin
females should average 650
kilos and mature males 1000
kilos. The head is small and
short with a broad forehead,
and the neck is short with a
broad muzzle. Coat colour is
golden-red and a lighter
colour under the stomach,
inside the thighs, around the
eyes and muzzle, and around
the anus and end of the tail.
The skin is free of
pigmentation.
40. Advantages:
They are known for their high-quality meat production
and can survive in extreme environments.
These cattle are continental breed which are found in
more than 70 countries and can survive in every kind of
environment.
The process of calving is easy regardless of their heavy
body
These cattle have very strong immune systems, which
makes them different from others
Disadvantages:
People cannot visit this breed without any security and
protection. An attendant must be required while visiting these
aggressive Limousin cattle.
41. Parthenais/e (France)
The Parthenaise are
reddish buckskin to a dark
brown colour with a dark
brown to black around the
neck, eyes, ears and jaw.
The face and muzzle are
lighter. The nose, hooves
and tail are black. Mature
cows can weigh upto 900
kg and the bulls 1,250 kg,
average birth weight for
bulls is around 44 kg and
heifers 41 kg.
42. Advantages:
They have excellent disease-resistance capabilities.
They are docile and easy to keep and breed, making them
suitable for both small-scale and large-scale farming.
Parthenais cattle have a high-quality meat yield with excellent
beef. They are also used for draught work.
Disadvantages:
There is a limited supply of pedigreed Parthenais cattle, which
can make them expensive to purchase.
There is not much information available on the disadvantages
of this breed.
43. Estonian Red (Estonia)
The Estonian Red is
medium in size with a
strong frame. The coat
colour is red and can range
from light to dark, the bulls
tend to be dark. The
mature cows weigh 450 to
550 kg with a maximum of
780 kg and mature bulls
weigh 800 to 900 kg again
an approximate maximum
of 1000 kg. Calves at birth
weigh 31 to 33 kg.
44. Advantages:
Population Dominance: The Estonian Red now accounts
for 63.3% of all cattle in Estonia, making it a popular choice.
Competitiveness: It has been fully restored to compete with the
Estonian Holstein breed.
Adaptability: Well-suited to the local environment
Disadvantages:
have limitations related to specific traits or management
practices.
45. Dexter (Southern Ireland)
The Dexter breed is a
small breed of cattle. It is
dual-purpose breed, with the
average weight of a cow
being some 300-350 kg and
standing 92cm-107cm at the
shoulder. There are two
recognized types, short
legged and non-short, both of
which have their equal merits.
The breed comes in three
colours, predominantly black,
but also red and dun. Most
are horned although a very
few naturally polled animals
are becoming available.
46. Advantages:
Compact Size: Their manageable size makes them ideal for small
farms or homesteads
Fertility and Calving Ease: Dexters are fertile and generally have few
calving difficulties. Their ease of calving is beneficial for both the
cow and the farmer.
Dual Purpose: Dexters serve as dual-purpose animals,
providing both meat and milk. The cuts of beef from Dexters
are smaller, making them more manageable for home
consumption.
Disadvantages:
Sensitivity and Protection for Calves: One disadvantage is that
Dexters can be extra sensitive when it comes to their calves.
Health Issues:Health Issues: Some Dexters may suffer
from a health condition called Chondrodysplasia, which
causes dwarfism
47. Galloway (Galloway
region of Scotland)
Galloway’s are mainly
black with a brownish tinge,
they are also bred in dun and
black or dun belted, the latter
being a recessive gene strain
of red and white. They have a
long, soft wavy coat which
serves a dual purpose, the
coarse outer coat sheds wind
and rain, while the soft, fur-
like under coat provides
insulation and waterproofing.
Galloway are hornless or
polled although some writers
say that formerly they were
mixed, some being horned
and others polled.
48. Advantages:
Hardiness and Adaptability: Galloways are hardy and well-
suited to harsh climates. Their thick, wavy coat provides
excellent insulation against cold, damp winters.
Efficient Feeders: Galloways are known for their efficient feed
conversion. They can graze on rough plants and maintain
good body condition. Their ability to gain weight even on
limited rations is remarkable.
Moderate Size and Docile Temperament: Galloways have a
moderate size, making them manageable for small family
farms
Disadvantages:
Over protectiveness Regarding Calves: While Galloway cows
are great mothers, they can become overly protective of their
calves. Farmers need to exercise caution when handling them
to avoid unintentional harm.
Calving Age: Galloways tend to start calving in their teens or
twenties, which may be considered a disadvantage due to
delayed breeding maturity.
49. Red Poll (Eastern
England)
Red Poll cattle are a
deep red colour with good
eye and udder pigmentation
(avoids sunburn) and
naturally polled. They are
medium size (similar to all
British breeds) with strong
legs and good walking ability.
Both cows and bulls are very
docile and so are easy to
handle, they are easy calving
and because of their milking
ability they produce a low
weight, fast growing calf.
50. Advantages:
Dual Purpose Breed: Red Polls serve as a dual-purpose breed,
excelling in both dairy production and meat production.
Efficient Weight Gain: Red Polls gain weight rapidly without
excessive growth in size.
Excellent Mothers and Good Libidos: These cattle are known
for their nurturing abilities as mothers. The bulls exhibit
robust libidos, contributing to successful breeding.
Disadvantages:
Climate Sensitivity: One notable disadvantage is their lack of
extreme climate resistance. In England, where they are held in
high esteem, the temperate climate suits them well.
Calf Production Gap: Red Polls have a relatively long calving
interval, producing calves on an annual basis. This gap may
lead to fewer overall calf births compared to some other
breeds.
51. English Longhorn
(United Kingdom)
English Longhorns are
large lean beef cattle with an
impressive sweep of horns
that curve down to around
the nose. These impressive
horns are valued in the
pedigree. The body may be
any one of a wide range of
brindle colours but they all
have the characteristics
white line or “finching” along
the back and down the tail,
which is passed onto their
cross bred progeny.
52. Advantages:
Impressive Horns: English Longhorns are large, lean beef cattle
with an impressive sweep of horns that curve down toward their
noses.
Economical and Easy to Manage: They are excellent mothers, and
their docile nature makes them easy to handle. Their breeding
longevity and relatively low body weight make them economical
and inexpensive to feed.
Disadvantages:
Climate Sensitivity: While they thrive in temperate climates like
England, they may not adapt well to extreme weather conditions.
Consider the local climate when raising them.
Limited Commercial Milk Production: Although English
Longhorns have a milk fat content of around 6%, they are not
commonly milked commercially. Their primary focus is on
beef production.
53. Nelore (India)
The Nelore is of the Bos
indicus species and has the
characteristics hump above
its shoulders and loose skin.
It is usually white in colour
with a black skin, muzzle and
tail, and they have
comparatively long legs
which helped them walk in
water when grazing. Nelore
have the shortest ears of
most Bos indicus types. The
Nelore are horned, these are
thick brown horns that point
up but there is a naturally
polled strain of the breed too.
54. Advantages:
Heat Resistance and Adaptability:Nelore cattle thrive in hot
and tropical climates.
They are also resistant to various parasites and diseases.
Efficient Feed Conversion: Nelores have a slow metabolism,
which means they feed less often. Their high resistance to
bloat is advantageous for efficient feed utilization
Disadvantages:
Cold Sensitivity: While they excel in heat, Nelores do not fare
well in very cold climates.
Calving Interval: Nelores may have a relatively long calving
interval.
55. Tarentaise (France)
The Tarentaise coat is a
tan colour with darkening
around the eyes and
sometimes on the neck of the
bulls, they also have a black
nose, udder and hooves.
They are of a medium build
and well muscled. A
Tarentaise cow is universally
recognized for her moderate
size, early maturity, large
volume of milk and ease of
calving. The dark
pigmentation of the eyes, feet
and udders guard against
pinkeye, cancer eye and
sunburn.
56. Advantages:
Dual-Purpose: Tarentaise cattle are dual-purpose animals, excelling
in both milk production and meat production.
High-Quality Milk: Their milk has good butterfat content, making it
suitable for cheese making.
Adaptability: Tarentaise can survive in high altitudes and rough,
steep lands.
Longevity: They have a longer lifespan compared to other breeds.
Low Maintenance: Requirements for their maintenance are not
excessive.
Disadvantages:
Marketing Importance: Tarentaise cattle do not have significant
marketing importance due to their historical isolation from other
breeds.
Location Preference: Farmers with flat pastures may not prefer them,
as Tarentaise originated in mountainous regions
57. Girolando (Brazil)
The Girolando takes its
looks from the Holstein and
the Gir, it can be black and
white in colour but it can
vary depending on the
percentage of each in the
cross. Their ears are large
like Gir.
58. Advantages:
Milk Production: Girolandos are well-known for their milk
production.
Adaptability and Resistance: Girolandos share genes with the Gir
breed, resulting in excellent resistance, adaptability, and longevity.
They thrive in hot climates, making them suitable for tropical
regions.
Efficient Calving and High Fertility: Girolando cows hardly face
calving issues.They have a high number of calves per cow,
contributing to overall productivity.
Disadvantages:
Cold Sensitivity: While they excel in heat tolerance, Girolandos
may not fare well in very cold climates.
Market Rarity: The Girolando breed is still
considered vulnerable, and its marketing importance varies.
59. Meuse Rhine Issel
(Netherlands)
Meuse Rhine Issel are
medium sized breed with a
solid build, they are red and
white in colour with good
length and depth to the body.
They are an adaptable hardy
breed and have good disease
resistance, they perform well
on rough pasture. They are
very docile in temperament,
the cows have a relatively
short gestation period and
calve easily.
60. Advantages:
Adaptability: MRI cattle are hardy and adaptable. They
thrive in the moderate and maritime climate of the
Netherlands.
Docile Temperament: These cows have a calm
disposition.
High-Quality Milk: MRI cows produce milk that is rich in
overall quality, including the essential Kappa Casein-B
protein needed for cheesemaking.
Disadvantages:
Cold Sensitivity: While they adapt well to moderate
climates, extremely cold conditions may pose
challenges.
Market Importance: MRI cattle are not as widely
recognized as some other breeds.
61. Montbeliarde (France)
The Montbeliarde is
light red and white in
colour quite similar to the
red and white Holstein.
They have a white head
with a light muzzle and
have lyra-shaped horns.
Montbeliarde cows stand
135-140 cm at the withers
and average 685 kg, while
bulls stand 148 cm,
weighing 1,100-1,200 kg.
The breed is renowned for
tough feet and strong
udders.
63. Pie Rouge des Plaines
(France)
Pie Rouge des Plaines cattle
are medium to large sized
animals. As the name
suggests, these animals are
usually red-pied in coloration.
They have pale skin and short
low horns. Average height of
the bulls is about 15o cm at
the withers, and about 138 cm
for the cows. The bulls on
average weight about 1000
kg. And average body weight
of the cows is about 700 kg.
65. Red Sindhi
(India/Pakistan)
The Red Sindhi cattle are
medium sized animals, and
they are very beautiful in
appearance. They range in
colour from a deep reddish
brown to a yellowish red,
but most commonly deep
red. The bulls are generally
of a darker colour that the
cows.
67. Jamaica Hope (Hope
farm in Jamaica)
The Jamaica Hope
cattle are medium sized
animals. They are multi-
colored animals, and they
can be either horned or
polled. Average live body
weight of the mature cows
is about 500 kg. And live
body weight of the mature
bulls vary from 700 to 800
kg.
69. Australian Milking Zebu
(Australia)
Quality of milk is very high
and protein level is
approximately 3.5 to 4
percent. The AMZ carries
the colour markings and
general shape of the
Jersey, but also shows the
tropical influence of the
Sahiwal and Red Sindhi
breeds through the ability to
sweat and discard ticks
from a highly mobile, loose
skin.
71. Danish Jersey
(Denmark)
Danish Jersey are
smaller in stature than other
dairy breeds (115-120cm
tall). They are fawn in
colour with white markings
not being uncommon. Coat
colours will vary from lighter
to dark brown, almost black.
Darker brown can be found
on their extremities (nose,
feet, ears and tail).
73. Shorthorn (North East of
England)
The breed was developed
as dual-purpose, suitable for both
dairy and beef production;
however, certain blood lines
within the breed always
emphasised one quality or the
other. Over time, these different
lines diverged, and by the second
half of the twentieth century, two
separate breeds had developed –
the Beef Shorthorn, and the
Milking Shorthorn. All Shorthorn
cattle are coloured red, white or
roan, although roan cattle are
preferred by some, and
completely white animals are not
common.
75. Swedish Red and White
(Sweden)
It is red with small white
markings. The breed
originated Red Pied
Swedish and Swedish
Ayrshire. The cows weigh
around 550 kg, and they
give about 7500 kg milk in
one year. The SRB is a
resilient breed of cattle and
they are also used for meat
production.
77. Beef Shorthorn
(England)
Beef Shorthorn come in
three colours, red, white
and roan. Red cattle may
be solid red or have white
markings and they can be
horned or polled. They are
bigger than their dairy
counterparts and are grown
specifically fir their beef.
79. General Appearance
Feminity - Feminity is desired in the dairy cow. A
feminine cow will be sharp and clean fronted, with a
lean neck and long, smooth muscling. Feminity in the
cow is related to dairy character.
80. Balance – With a smooth blending of body parts,
the cow will appear symmetrical and balanced. If
the cow is well balanced, her body parts will blend
smoothly, giving a more attractive appearance.
Size – The dairy cows should be an appropriate
size for the breed. No matter what breed, the cow
should show stature and quality of appearance
and upstandingness and stretch.
81. Head
● broad muzzle with large, open nostrils
● jaws meet properly without overlap
● strong lower jaw
● broad forehead
Shoulder
● set smoothly against the chest wall and withers
Blades
● forming neat junction with the body
83. Heart Girth
● large and deep
● full at the elbows with well sprung fore ribs
● fore ribs blend smoothly into the shoulders
Crops
● well filled
Back
● strong and straight
● vertebrae are well defined
Loin
● broad and slightly arched
● vertebrae are well defined
● attachment to hip bones is high and wide
84. Mid-section
● long ribs highly and widely sprung
● depth of ribs tending to increase towards the rear
85. 2.Rump
“Long, wide and clean cut, blending desirably with the loin.”
Hook Bones
● wide, but not prominent
● slightly higher than the pins
Pin Bones
● wide apart and free from patchiness
● slightly lower set than hooks
Thurls
● high and wide apart
● give consideration to the stage of lactation
88. 3.Feet and Legs
Feet
● short and well rounded, with deep heel
● toes slightly spaced
● correct angle, durable
Legs
● Pasterns
- strong
- of medium length
- flexible
89. ● Fore legs
- straight and wide apart
- feet squarely placed
● Hind legs
- side-nearly perpendicular from hock to pastern
- rear-straight and wide apart
- hocks cleanly molded
90. ● Bone
- flat, strong and flinty
- tendons well defined
4.The Mammary System
● Udder
- It should be symmetrical and well balanced with
evenness of all four quarters.
91. - The udder should be of intermediate depth. The udder
should never hang below the hocks of a cow of any age.
It should be slightly quartered on the sides.
92. ● Median Suspensory Ligament
- It is the strong supportive ligament which runs
lengthwise through the center of the udder. It should be
strong but not overly tight, giving a definite cleavage or
crease between the halves of the udder.
93. ● Udder texture
- Should always be soft, pliable and elastic. After milking,
the udder should be well collapsed.
● Fore Udder
- Composed of the front parts of the udder. Moderately
long, firm and smooth attachment of the fore udder to
the body wall.
94. ● Rear Udder
- Composed of the hind parts of the udder. Most important
here is the high, wide and firm attachment of the rear udder.
● Teats
- There should be four fully functional Teats of uniform size
and medium length and diameter. It should be cylindrical and
plumb and should hang perpendicular to the floor of the
udder.
95. ● Mammary Veins
- Should be long, tortuous and branching. Prominent
udder veining, although it is attractive, is not associated
with higher milking ability.
5.Dairy Character
96. ● Head
- clean cut and feminine
- eyes large and bright
- ears carried alertly
- resulting in a head with character appropriate for the
breed.
Ideal dairy head – with smooth blending of head, neck and
shoulders.
97. ● Neck
- long, lean and clean
- blending smoothly into the shoulder
- clean about the throat, dewlap and brisket
- refined and feminine
● Strength
- large enough body capacity to consume necessary
feed to meet nutritional requirements.
98. ● Withers
- sharp, clean and free from excess flesh
- well defined, prominent and wedge shaped
- dorsal process of vertebrae rise sharply above
shoulder blades
● Ribs
- wide spaced, exhibiting openness and sweep
- rib bones are wide, flat and long
99. ● Flanks
- deep through rib and flank
- good spring of rib
● Thighs
- generally clean, incurving and refined
- side view-incurving to flat
- rear view-wide apart, but not fleshy
- provide ample room for the udder and its rear
attachment
● Skin
- loose and piable
- hair fine
● Udder
- soft and pliable in texture
- free from excess tissue or edema (hardness or swelling
in the udder)
100. Good dairy farming practices
1.Animal Health - Animals that produce milk need to be
healthy and an effective health care programme should be
in place.
- Establish the herd with resistance to disease
- Prevent entry of disease onto the farm
- Have an effective herd health management programme in
place
- Use all chemicals and veterinary medicines as directed
101. 2.Milking Hygiene – Milk should be harvested and
stored under hygienic conditions. Equipment used to
harvest and store milk should be suitable and well
maintained.
- Ensure milking routines do not injure the animals or
introduce contaminants into milk
- Ensure milking is carried out under hygienic conditions
- Ensure milk is handled properly after milking
3.Nutrition (feed and water) - Animals need to be
fed and watered with products of suitable quality and
safety.
- Secure feed and water supplies from sustainable
sources
- Ensure animal feed and water are of suitable quantity
and quality
102. - Control storage conditions of feed
- Ensure the traceability of feedstuffs brought on to the
farm
4.Animal Welfare - Animals should be kept according
to the following “five freedoms”.
1.Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition
2.Freedom from discomfort
3.Freedom from pain, injury and disease
4.Freedom from fear
5.Freedom to engage in relatively normal patterns of
animal behaviour
- Ensure animals are free from thirst, hunger and
malnutrition
- Ensure animals are free from discomfort
103. - Ensure animals are free from pain, injury and disease
- Ensure animals are free from fear
- Ensure animals can engage in relatively normal
patterns of animal behaviour
5.Environment - Milk production should be managed
in balance with the local environment surrounding the
farm.
- Implement an environmentally sustainable farming
system
- Have an appropriate waste management system
- Ensure dairy farming practices do not have an adverse
impact on the local environment
104. 6.Socio-Economic Management – Dairy farming
provides economic and social benefits to farmers and
their communities. Good dairy farming practice can also
help to manage the social and economic risks to the
enterprise.
- Implement effective and responsible management of
human resources
- Ensure farm tasks are carried out safely and
competently
- Manage the enterprise to ensure its financial viability
105. What is Heat in Cows?
The heat period in cows or heifers refers to the time when they
are ready to conceive or become pregnant through
insemination or mating with a bull. Typically, this period occurs
every 18 to 24 days, with an average of 21 days for non-
pregnant cows. The duration of the heat period average around
15 hours but can range from 2 to 30 hours.
Here are some common signs of heat in cows:
- Mucus discharge from the vulva or on the tail.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the vulva and a change in colour
from pink to red.
106. - Mounting other cows or allowing other cows to mount
them.
- Reduction in milk production in lactating cows.
- Loss of appetite for a period of time.
- Slight rise in body temperature.
- Frequent urination.
- Excitement and nervousness, causing the cow to run
from place to place while bellowing.
- Standing closer to bulls in order to be mounted.
107. Gestation length ranges from 279 to 287 days. For most
breeds, 283 days would be common. Cows carrying bull calves
tend to have a slightly longer gestation compared to cows
carrying heifer calves.
Signs of Pregnancy in Cattle:
- The cow will not go into heat 21 days after mating.
- Enlargement or protrusion of the abdomen at five months.
- The udder becomes filled with milk.
- The cervix seals.
- A veterinary officer can detect the corpus luteum in the ovary
by inserting his hands into the rectum.
108. Breeding is defined as the crossing of the male and the female
parents to get off spring for the characters desired. The main
breeding methods are:
1. In Breeding
2. Out Breeding
They are further classified as given in the chart below:
109. 1. Inbreeding
Inbreeding is the mating of closely related individuals, whose
relationship is more than the average relationship of the
population.
A. Close inbreeding:
In this type of inbreeding, mating is made between very closely
related individuals, such as full brothers are crossed with full
sisters, or off springs are crossed with parents.
B. Line breeding
It is repeated back crossing to one outstanding ancestor, so
that its contribution to the progeny is more. In this type of
breeding, matings are made to concentrate the inheritance of
desired characters of some favoured individuals.
A. It brings about the uniformity of the required type.
B. The dangers involves in case in breeding can be
reduced.
110. Advantages of Inbreeding:
1. Undesirable decessive genes may be discovered and eliminated
by further testing in this line.
2. It increase homozygosity and decreases genetic variance.
3. Breaking down of population into different inbreed lines.
Disadvantages of Inbreeding:
1. The progeny becomes more susceptible to diseases.
2. Breeding problems and reproductive failure usually increases.
3. It is difficult to find out the stage of breeding at which it should
be discontinued, in order to avoid the bad effects of the system.
4. It depresses' vitality in early life than in later life.
5. A small breeder stands a good chance of gain by doing too much
in breeding.
6. Inbreeding appears to have little value in dairy cattle breeding
programmes, because of its numerous detrimental effects.
111. 2. Out breeding
-It is the opposite of inbreeding. Mating
unrelated animals in known as out breeding.
it is divided into six classes as dated below:
A. Pure breeding
B. Line crossing (crossing of inbreed lines)
C. Out crossing
D. Cross breeding
E. Grading up
F. Species hybridization
112. A. Pure breeding
-It is mating of male and female belonging to
the same breed. Pure breeding is a sort of out
breeding.
The examples of pure breeding are:
• Ongole cow × Ongole bull
• Jersey cow × Jersey bull
• Murrah she buffalo × Murrah bull
The outstanding advantage of pure breeding is for production
of bulls for breeding purpose only pure breeding is to be
followed in almost all the breeds except in case of inter-se-
mating. It avoids mating of closely related individuals.
113. B. Line crossing
-In this method of breeding closely inbred lines
by intensive in breeding of more than five
generations is done to develop in bred lines, from
unrelated line for the male and for the female. The
unrelated inbreed line male is matted to the in bred
lines of the female and the offspring born out of
such mating becomes a hybrid which exhibits
heterodox or hybrid vigour.
114. C. Out crossing
-It is mating of unrelated pure breed animals
in the same breed. The animals do not have
common ancestors on either side of their
pedigree upto 4 to 6 generations and the
offsprings of such a mating is known as the
out cross.
Advantage: It is an effective system for
genetic improvement if carefully combined
with selection. It is also pure breeding.
115. D. Cross breeding
-It is mating of animals of different breeds. Cross
breeding is followed for breeding animals for milk production
and meat production. In India Zebu breeds of cow and
nondescript cows are crossed with exotic breeds like Holstein
Fresian, Brown Swiss and Jersey bulls in their semen to
enhance the milk production potential of the progeny.
Advantages of Cross Breeding:
1. The desirable characters of the exotic parent are
transmitted to the progeny which the indigenous parent does
not have.
2. It inherit the desirable characters of the parent like
high milk yield early maturity, higher birth weigh of calves,
better growth rates, better reproductive efficiency and
indigenous parents characters like heat tolerance, disease
resistance ability to thrive on scanty feeding and coarse
fodder etc.
116. 3. In pairs the way to evolve new breeds with
desirable characters.
4. Hybrid vigour is made use of in the progeny.
5. Result are seen more quickly in characters like
milk yield in the cross bred progeny.
Disadvantages of Cross Breeding:
1. The breeding merit of cross breed animals
may be slightly reduced.
2. Cross breeding requires maintenance of two
or more pure breeds in order to product the cross
breeds.
117. F. Grading Up
It is a practice of breeding in which the sires of
the exotic breed are mated with the non-descript
females and their offspring from generation to
generation. After five or six generation of Grading
up, a population resembling the exotic breed
results.
Advantages of Grading up:
1. After 5 to 6 generations grades resembling
pure breed animals in matter of physical
appearance and production can be obtained.
118.
119. Is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by protozoan
parasites of the genus babesia, order Piroplasmida, phylum
Acomplexa.
Symptoms: clearly visible when the infection is active include:
Weight loss
Fast heartbeat
High fever
Disseminated intravascular
coagulation
120. -caused by the anaerobic bacteria from clostridium genus. It usually found
in the animal organism, even when it is healthy that might produce
toxins which chain a series of symptoms that may caused death.
Symptoms:
Severe diarrhea/Stomach upset
Abdominal pain
Bloat
Decreased appetite/ intestinal movement
Abomasum distention
Bubbles in the manure
Hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (ABS)
Stalled calves
Blindness
Sudden death
ADR (“ain’t doin’ right) – general malaise, etc.
121.
122. Is a vital diseases/ illness (Picornaviridae aphthovirus virus)
transmitted through drooling or blood coming from infected
animals. It also can be transmitted through water by birds
and by people that stay in contact with the herd. The virus is
very resistant, remaining active in the pasture, leather or
bone narrow after the animal dies.
Symptoms:
Lack of appetite
Mouth, gum, and tongue thrush
Fever
Injured hooves (which causes locomotion difficulty to the
animal)
123.
124. Is a bovine illness caused by Brucella abortus bacteria. It is
also called malta fever or infectious abortion. The animal
infectious may occur orally or during birth of infected
animals.
Symptoms:
Abortion at the end of gestation
Birth of dead or weak calves
125.
126. is a chronic disease of animals caused by a bacteria called
Mycobacterium bovis, (M. bovis) which is closely related to
the bacteria that cause human and avian tuberculosis.
The main symptoms
weight loss and coughing.
The milk production might be considerably impaired when
the animals are affected with tuberculosis.
The bacteria responsible for spreading the disease is
Mycobacterium bovis.
127.
128. is an illness that affects the mammal glands of the animal. It can
be caused, primarily, by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus
bacteria and coliforms. Issues on how the milking is made and
the lack of hygiene in the environment where the cow is located
are the main facilitating factors for herd infection.
Mamitis symptoms include:
swollen, red-colored and hot udder and can be seen with naked
eye.
The milk can also be affected, getting out mymore watery or
thick, with flakes or clots.
the cow also presents lack of appetite and weight loss.
The damages might be huge for the breeder, since the disease also
causes a decrease of the milk production. can be seen with
naked eye.
129.
130. one of the most significant parasitic diseases of
livestock worldwide, which is a main cause of
production losses and ill-health in ruminants. This
disease is caused by Haemonchus contortus (H.
contortus), a nematode parasite of the ruminants'
abomasa.
Symptom: failure to thrive and weight loss
131.
132. is a contagious, chronic, and usually fatal infection that
affects primarily the small intestine of ruminants.
Johne's disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium
subspecies paratuberculosis (M. avium subsp.
paratuberculosis), a hardy bacterium related to the
agents of leprosy and TB.
Symptoms:
weight loss and diarrhea with a normal
appetite.
133.
134. Is a viral disease that affects cattle. It is transmitted by blood-
feeding insects, such as certain species. of flies and mosquitoes,
or ticks. It causes fever, nodules on the skin and can also lead to
death, especially in animals that that have not previously been
exposed to the virus.
Symptoms;
-Firm raised skin nodules up to 50mm in diameter develop
around the head, neck, genitals and limbs. Nodules can develop
on any part of the body.
-Scabs develop in the centre of the nodules after which the
scabs fall off, leaving large holes that may become infected.
-Swelling of limbs, brisket and genitals may occur
-Reluctance to move and eat
-Nasal and ocular discharges
-Enlarged superficial lymph nodes
-Drop in milk production
-Abortion
