Dairy cattle are those primarily raised for their milk as part of dairy farming. Dairy cattle are breeds of cattle specifically raised for the production of large quantities of milk. This milk is processed into dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, and cream. Dairy farming plays a critical role in the agricultural economy worldwide, where dairy farming is both a commercial and subsistence activity. There are several popular breeds of dairy cattle globally, including Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Ayrshire, and Brown Swiss. Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cattle are particularly common due to their high milk production and adaptability to local conditions. Holsteins are preferred for large-scale commercial farming, while Jerseys are popular among smallholder farmers. Breed Country of originAverage milk output per dayMilk production varies due to a significant range of variables including age of the cow, time of year, climate conditions, type of feed and specific breed lineages. Particular attention should be made to citations for figures used in this table for the methods used to obtain these average figures. Other Volume (L) Volume (US Gallons)Milk solids (kg)Butterfat (% w/v)Butterfat (kg)Protein (% w/v)Protein (kg) AbondanceFranceAlderneyEnglandAmerican Milking DevonUnited States 23 5 Originally bred from the North Devon cattleAustralian BrafordAustraliaAustralian Friesian SahiwalAustraliaAustralian LowlineAustraliaAustralian Milking ZebuAustraliaAyrshireScotland24.66.53.863.06Belgian RedBelgiumBianca ModeneseItalyBrown SwissSwitzerland3084.043.38BurlinaItalyBušaBalkan5.71.5CanadienneCanada113Extremely rare, found in Quebec.Dairy ShorthornEngland 22 6Danish JerseyDenmarkDanish RedDenmarkDexterIreland 7.5 2 Very small in size. Used in domestic farms.Estonian RedEstonia11.22.9Fleckvieh (Simmental)Austria25.46.7French SimmentalFranceGangatiriIndia5.31.4German Black Pied DairyGermanyGirolandoBrazil11.43GuernseyGuernsey 19 54.513.37 One of the Channel Islands cattle.Harzer RotviehGermanyHays ConverterCanadaHérensSwitzerlandHolando-ArgentinoArgentinaHolstein-FriesianNetherlands 53 143.653.06 Known for producing the most milk of any cattle.Illawarra ShorthornAustralia 7.5 2 Irish Moiled Ireland 7.5 2 Rare breed and can be dual purpose, meat and milk.Jamaica HopeJamaica Jersey Jersey 19 54.603.59 Has a very high content of butterfat in the milk. Lakenvelder (Dutch Belted)Netherlands 18 5Meuse-Rhine-IsselGermany Montbéliarde France 21 6 Normande France 18 5 Norwegian Red Norway 18 5Old GloucesterEnglandRandall LinebackUnited StatesPie Rouge des PlainesFrancePinzgauerAustriaPuerto Rican Slick-Haired HolsteinPuerto Rico19.75.2A cross of Holstein and Caribbean criollo cattle adapted for high yields in tropical climates.Red ChittagongBangladesh Red Poll England 15 4 A cross of Norfolk Red and Suffolk DunRed SindhiPakistanSahiwalPakistan7.21.9Tipo CaroraVenezuelaTyrol GreyAustriaVorderwaldGermany
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Bibliography
External links Dairy cattle breeds – The Cattle Site Dairy cow breeds overview – Raw Milk Facts Dairy breeds – Virginia Tech Virtual Farm Choosing a dairy cow breed – The Well Fed Homestead About dairy cows – Dairy Australia Dairy breeds – The Dairy Site