The different types of Cows
Jersey
Jersey cattle are widely distribute in Australia,
being tolerant of a wide rang of climates. They
originated in the Islands betwen Britian and
France and it has been suggested that the inherently
docile nature of Jerseys resulted from generations of
tethered grazing on the islands. It is reported that
Jersys were chosen as milk supliers on ships heading
to Australia in the 1800's because of their small food
and space requirement, their docile nature and quality
of their milk.
These qualities also make Jerseys good house cows.
They have a lower milk yield than other breeds, but
their milk is more creamy, containg higer levels of butterfat.
Jerseys are the earliest maturing breed, with the ability
to calve at two years of age, and they have a long milking
life. An average weight for a Jersey cow is around 350
kilograms.
This is my cow she is a Jersey
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Guernsey
Guernseys also originated in the Channel Islands and
were inported to Australia by the NSW Department of
Agriculture in 1898. They are now found mainly in the
south coast region of NSW.
Guernseys have a placid temperament, typically weigh
420-450 kilograms and yeild around 3700 litres of
milk per lactation.
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Ayrshire
Ayrshires wer bred in the harsh climatic conditions of
south west Scotland. An Ayrshires cow called Annie was
suposedly the first of her breed to reach Australia, in
1848, introduced by Captain James Hutton.
Their hardy naturemakes Ayrshires cattle suitable for
most dairy regions of Australia. They have a medium size
frame of 450-480 kilograms, with well-formed udders,
good teat placement, and yeild around 4100 litres of
milk per lactation.
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Illawarra
The Illawarra is the first dairy breed developed in
Australia an originated from the south coast of NSW.
Illawarras are placid, heat-torlerant, resistant to
sun-burn and have an outstanding ability to continue
producing milk under adverse environmetal conditions.
They have a large frame, weigh up to 500 kilo grams, and
produce around 4500 litres of milk per lactation.
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Holstein Friesian
Originally from Europe, the Holstein Friesian was
introduced into Australia from New Zealand in 1866.
Holstein Friesian make up the biggest proportion of
dairy herds in australia because of their high
procductio figures and adaptability to a range of
enviromental conditions. They are the largest of the
dairy breeds with an average weight of 550 kilograms and
produce around 5000 litre of milk per lactation.
Holstein Friesians are later maturing than other breeds
with their first calving at around two and a half
Years.
If you chose a Holstein Friesian house cow, you may be
able to share her milk with two or three calves or with
neighbors.
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Dexters
Dexters are the dawrfs of the cattle kindom, only
growing to around 1 metre high at the shoulder. This
small, solid, short-legged Irish mountain breed is hardy
and adaptable to rough gazing. Being a dual purpose
breed, Dexters are capable of supplying enough milk for
the household plus calves suitable for fattening. Their
size and durability makes them suitable for smallholder
on relative undeveloped bush block.
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Dictionary
- lactation
The period when a cow makes milk.