The cost of milk in Russia today, unfortunately, although not by much, is still higher than in European countries and in America. Domestic farmers can rectify the situation primarily by increasing milk yield while reducing livestock costs. One way to solve the problem of reducing the cost of final products for farms is the purchase and breeding of new high-milk varieties of cows. For example, the content of Friesian breed cows is considered very promising at the moment in Russia.
Breeding history
Domestic farmers buy such cattle, also called Frisian-Holstein, at the moment mainly in the United States. In this country, such burenki show the highest milk yield in the world. It is believed that in the Russian climate, and especially in the southern regions of the country, cattle of this breed can be no less productive.
The Frisian-Holstein cow was bred in the 1st century BC. e. in Frisia. Currently, these territories are occupied by North Holland, as well as the provinces of the Niederalnds Groningen and Friesland. Despite the fact that these cows appeared in Frisia and, accordingly, were called physical, this breed is currently considered German. The fact is that this cattle originated from cows brought to the territory of the present Holland and the Netherlands once by the Germans.
German cows, once driven by Germans to Frisia, were black. The local breed was distinguished by a white color. As a result of natural crossbreeding, pinto calves began to appear. Initially, Friesian cattle were considered meat and dairy. Its representatives often could reach a weight of 1500 kg. However, later, as a result of selection, this breed began to be bred mainly only as dairy. Modern black-pied pied Holstein cattle can also grow quite large. But in our time, Friesian cows are still kept only on dairy farms.
general description
The color of Friesian cows is therefore usually black and white. But on the farms are also bred and red-piebald Holstein cows. Such cows give a little less milk than black and white. But at the same time, it also has a greater percentage of fat content. The main features of the exterior of Friesian cows are:
You can distinguish these cows from any other, among other things, and by the small hump existing on their neck. The udder of these cows has a regular cup shape. At the same time, the nipples of the Frisian cows are not too tight. That is, it is very easy to milk such cattle, including using machines.
The reader can see representatives of the Friesian breed in the photo on the page. As you can see, these cows look pretty neat, strong and healthy.
What you should know about
Maintaining Frisian cattle in general is quite simple. However, the bulls of this breed, unfortunately, have a rather steep "temper". It is therefore recommended to keep them separately from each other and other farm animals. At the same time, the farmer himself or his staff with such animals should be as careful as possible. Friesian bulls on the farm, of course, you need to ring in any case.
Productivity Characteristics of Holstein-Friesian Cows
This breed belongs to the group of high-milk cattle. It is believed that with proper care from one such cows, you can get up to 25-27 liters of milk. At the same time, the maximum milk yield of Holstein-Friesian cows for lactation is 11 thousand liters. For comparison: domestic high-milk burenki give for the same time mainly from 6 to 9 thousand liters.
Friesian cattle grows, as already mentioned, quite large. Meat from gobies of this breed, as well as from old queens that don’t already give a lot of milk, can be obtained in large quantities. Growth of an adult cow of Holstein-Friesian breed often reaches 145 cm, goby - 160 cm.
How to determine the degree of milk
Productivity Friesian-Holstein cows, therefore, are very high. However, to choose such cows when buying, for example, abroad you need to correctly. When selecting a cow, you first need to look at its udder. If it has an irregular shape in the Frisian furcoats and is too large, it will not give a lot of milk. The udder of the Holstein cow should be exactly the right bowl-shaped. In this case, it is best if it slightly protrudes beyond the plane of the hind legs.
Nipples in high-milk Friesian cows are small and have a fairly soft structure. The bottom of the udder of a good Holstein burenka is always parallel to the ground. In this case, the udder hangs down to about the knee joints.
Degree of adaptation
In terms of milk and meat, the characteristics of the Friesian breed of cows, therefore, are excellent. The advantages of such cattle, among other things, include its ability to adapt well to climatic conditions. However, such cattle, of course, tolerates domestic cold a little worse than cows of Russian breeds. It is recommended to contain such cows in rooms in which the air temperature in winter does not drop below 0 ° C.
What should be a barn
Thus, in the rooms for Friesian cows, the farmer may have to arrange heating. In any case, the barn for such cattle should be very well insulated. Also, in the room for the Holstein cattle, ventilation must be done.
The Friesian breed of cows is distinguished, among other things, by the fact that its representatives really do not like dirt. As many farmers say, such cattle may even refuse to eat from not too clean feeders and drink from drinking bowls that got straw. Therefore, cleaning the premises for such cows will most likely have to be done at least 2 times a day. In order to facilitate this process, experienced farmers are advised to use automation.
Also, the premises for Frisian cows must have good lighting. Windows on the farm should be foreseen. Of course, in the barn for such cattle should be dry and spacious. It is believed that one Friesian burenka in the barn should account for at least 10-12 m 2 square meters.
Feeding
In terms of productivity, the characteristics of the Frisian-Holstein breed of cows are actually very good. However, such cows will give a lot of milk, of course, only if they are properly fed.
In terms of diet, Friesian cows are considered almost as unpretentious as domestic ones. However, the nutrition of such cattle in order to receive high milk yield from it, of course, should be given maximum attention. In winter, Friesian cows should receive primarily high-quality hay, for example, alfalfa or meadow. Also, corn meal and haylage are often fed to burenki of this breed.
Of course, Frisian cows, both in winter and in summer, should receive concentrates and compound feeds. In the warm season, such cows, as well as domestic, are driven out to pasture. However, experienced farmers are advised to give some dry hay even to summer Friesian cattle. Typically, cows and gobies are fed 1.5 kg of such food in the morning and the same amount in the evening.
Of course, beets, root crops, carrots, and silage will be very suitable for Friesian cattle. Such juicy food helps increase lactation of cows, and therefore their productivity in terms of milk production.
Breeding
Frisian cows usually reach puberty at the age of 1.5 years. The first calving in cows of this breed occurs most often in 2 years. Among the pluses of Holstein cows, among other things, include light birth. Any complications in these cows occur in no more than 8% of cases.
Friesian calves are born strong and usually healthy. Holstein young growth does not require the creation of any special conditions. On the contrary, farmers try to keep such calves in winter at fairly low temperatures (even slightly below zero degrees). It is believed that this contributes to the hardening of Frisian young animals and the early adaptation of the breed to Russian conditions.
Friesian heifers born on the farm are left, of course, to receive milk. In this case, the calves are separated from future queens and grown for slaughter. Individuals with pronounced pedigree traits are used to form tribal groups, as well as producers.
Breed Reviews
The opinion of farmers about this breed, of course, was positive. The main advantage of Friesian cows is, of course, farm owners consider high productivity. In terms of unpretentiousness, these cows from domestic farmers also did not deserve almost no complaints. Of course, the conditions for keeping these cows should be good enough. But to a large extent, they do not go beyond the norms provided for in our country.
To the advantages of cows of this breed, farmers include quick replenishment of the herd. Judging by the reviews, calves in these cows are born strong and healthy. That is, there is practically no lunge in the herd of Holstein young animals. Friesian calves grow and develop at the same time rather quickly, without consuming too much feed.
East Friesian sheep
The Holstein breed of cows in our country, therefore, is gaining more and more popularity. However, in ancient times in Frisia not only high-quality cattle was bred. Very good indicators in terms of productivity is considered and IFA, leading its origin from these territories. It is possible that Russian farmers will soon begin to breed large numbers of Frisian sheep in large quantities. MRS of this breed, like cattle, is primarily distinguished by high milk yield.
From one sheep of the East Frisian breed with good care for the lactation period, you can get up to 700 liters of milk with a fat content of up to 7%. Also, such an MPC is also distinguished by good performance indicators in terms of muscle building. The growth of Friesian rams at the withers reaches 80-90 cm, lambs up to 70 cm. At the same time, males of this breed weigh up to 90-120 kg, females up to 70-100 kg. Another undoubted advantage of the Frisian MRS is the fertility of the uterus. In the lakes of the East Frisian MRS, twins and even triplets are often found.
These sheep demonstrate very good performance in terms of shearing wool. This product from one Friesian individual per year can get up to 4.5 kg. Since this breed has excellent productivity indicators, it is often used to improve other varieties of sheep.