The Holstein breed is considered the most famous of the dairy cattle breeds on the planet. It is often called the Holstein-Friesian breed. The animals related to it are distinguished by high milk yields. The Holstein cow acquired all of its excellent qualities in America, although Holland is considered its homeland.
The history of the breed began in 1852. It was then that Winnsrop W. Chenery from Belmont at the captain of the Dutch vessel for the first time
acquired a Dutch cow. Chenery is considered a pioneer of breeding Dutch cows on the American continent. Cattle had high productivity and excellent adaptive abilities. He received incredible popularity in North America. Holland and other European countries were breeding black-motley cows. And in the USA and Canada, breeding was carried out exclusively to improve high milk yield.
By 1872 Holstein cow bred in 12 states. The first pedigree book describing black-motley cattle was released in the same year. Since 1983, in Canada and the United States they decided to call the breed Holstein.
Holstein breed of cows in Canada and the United States came from black-motley breeds
animals of Western Europe. The Holstein American cow is characterized by high milk production.
Of course, most of these cows have a black-and-white suit. But there are also red-motley animals. This suit is a recessive form. Previously, they tried to get rid of such individuals. Since 1971, red-motley cows are considered as breeding cattle. They are registered as a separate breed.
First-calf cows have a live weight of 650 kg, and an adult Holstein cow weighs 750 kg. Breeders wish in the future to bring the live average weight to 850 kg. The live weight of Holstein bulls is 1200 kg. First-calf cows at the withers grow to 137 cm, and full-grown cows up to 145 cm. The depth of the chest is 80 cm and the width is 55 cm. The heifers are born weighing 39 kg, and the bulls weigh 42 kg at birth. Holstein cows have excellent milk signs. But their muscles are developed slightly worse, especially in comparison with European black-motley cattle.
The udder of cows is voluminous and wide. It is firmly attached to the abdominal wall. More than 95% of the animals are cup-shaped
udder. Slaughter yield reaches 55% of live weight.
The productivity indicators of Holstein nurses in different countries differ significantly, because the climatic and food conditions are not the same.
The highest milk yield from this breed of cows is obtained in Israel. It should be noted that many breeders of dairy cattle are attracted by Holstein cows. Price their in the world market reaches 4,000 US dollars per individual. For example: thoroughbred American Holstein heifers can be bought at a price of $ 3,754 per piece, and pedigree Russian heifers can be purchased at a price of 260 rubles per kilogram.
Many do not know where to buy a Holstein cow. As a rule, various livestock enterprises sell pedigree cows. You only need to purchase the appropriate directory and start the search.