Holstein Friesian cattle facts for kids
Holstein Friesian cows now dominate the global dairy industry. The Holstein-Friesian has the highest milk production of all breeds worldwide.
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| Other names | Holstein cattle, Friesian cattle |
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| Country of origin | Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France |
| Distribution | Worldwide |
| Use | Dairy and meat (ground beef and roast beef) |
| Traits | |
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| Coat | Black and white patched coat (occasionally red and white). |
| Horn status | Horned, mainly dehorned as calves |
| Notes | |
| Originally a dual-purpose breed, used for both dairy and beef. | |
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Holstein Friesians are a type of dairy cow that first came from the Netherlands and Northern Germany. In North America, they are often called Holsteins, while in the UK and Ireland, they are known as Friesians. These cows are famous for producing more milk than any other dairy animal in the world.
Dutch and German farmers worked together to create this breed. Their goal was to develop cows that could make the best use of the abundant grass in their region. Over many centuries, they succeeded in creating a high-producing, black-and-white dairy cow.
The Holstein-Friesian is now the most common cattle breed globally, found in over 150 countries. When new markets for milk opened up in North and South America, farmers there looked to the Netherlands for these special cows. About 8,800 Friesian cows were brought to the Americas before disease problems in Europe stopped further exports.
In Europe, these cows are used for milk in the northern parts and for meat in the south. After 1945, cattle breeding became more specialized. This meant farmers started focusing on animals that were best for either milk or meat, instead of "dual-purpose" animals that did both.
Because of this, the Holstein cows developed in the United States became very different from the traditional European Friesians. American breeders focused only on milk production. Later, European farmers started importing specialized dairy Holsteins from the US to cross with their own black and white cows.
Today, "Holstein" usually refers to cows from North or South American bloodlines, especially when they are used for dairy. "Friesian" refers to cows from traditional European families, which are bred for both milk and meat. When these two types are mixed, they are called "Holstein-Friesian."
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What do Holsteins look like?
Holsteins have unique markings, usually black and white, or sometimes red and white. They often have patterns that look like patches. Rarely, a cow might have both black and red colors mixed with white. This happens because of a special gene called the 'red factor'. Some Holsteins can even look 'blue' if their white hairs are mixed with black hairs, giving them a bluish tint. This is also known as 'blue roan'.
These cows are famous for producing a lot of milk. On average, they give about 22,530 pounds (about 10,220 kg) of milk each year. This milk contains about 858 pounds (389 kg) of butterfat and 719 pounds (326 kg) of protein.
A healthy Holstein calf weighs about 40 to 50 kg (75–110 lb) when it is born. An adult Holstein cow typically weighs between 680 and 770 kg (1500–1700 lb). They stand tall at the shoulder, usually between 145 and 165 cm (58–65 in).
Young female Holsteins, called heifers, are usually ready to be bred when they are 11 to 14 months old. At this age, they weigh about 317–340 kg (700–750 lb). Farmers usually plan for Holstein heifers to have their first calf when they are between 21 and 24 months old. A cow's pregnancy, or gestation period, lasts about nine and a half months.
Where did Holsteins come from?
Around 100 BC, a group of people from Hesse moved with their cattle to the North Sea coast, near the Frisii tribe. Historical records suggest these cattle were black, while the Friesian cattle at that time were pure white and light-colored. It is believed that these two types of cattle mixed, leading to the Holstein-Friesian breed we know today.
The area along the North Sea, called Frisia, was known for its rich land perfect for raising cattle and making dairy products. The people there were very good at caring for and breeding cattle. They even paid taxes to the Roman government using ox hides and horns!
For 2,000 years, the Frisii tribe bred their cattle without much mixing from other breeds. However, in 1282 CE, big floods created the Zuiderzee, a large body of water. This separated the cattle breeders into two groups, which led to some differences in the cattle over time.
Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the Netherlands produced huge amounts of butter and cheese. Historical records describe very large beef cattle, weighing up to 3,000 pounds (about 1360 kg) each.
Breeders aimed to get as much milk and beef as possible from the same animal. They were very successful with their careful breeding and feeding methods. They avoided inbreeding (breeding closely related animals) to keep the cattle healthy and strong.
Holsteins in the United Kingdom
Before the 18th century, the British Isles imported Dutch cattle. These imports helped create several cattle breeds in England and Scotland. For example, the "Dutch breed" was well-known in Yorkshire for being excellent dairy cattle.
Farmers in the River Tees area also brought in cattle from the Netherlands and Germany. These mixed breeds became known as the "Dutch or Holstein breed."
After World War II, breeders in the islands of Jersey and Guernsey needed to rebuild their cattle populations, which had been greatly reduced. They imported nearly 200 animals, and Canadian breeders even sent three young bulls as a gift to help.
The pure Holstein Breed Society was started in Great Britain in 1946. Its popularity grew quickly after the 1970s, and more animals were imported. In 1999, this society merged with the British Friesian Cattle Society to form Holstein UK.
How many Holsteins are in the UK?
As of April 1, 2005, about 61% of all 3.47 million dairy cattle in the UK had Holstein influence:
- Holstein-Friesian (a mix of Friesian and Holstein blood): 1,765,000 (51%)
- Friesian (mostly Friesian blood): 1,079,000 (31%)
- Holstein (mostly Holstein blood): 254,000 (7%)
- Holstein-Friesian cross (mixed with other breeds): 101,000 (3%)
- Other dairy breeds: 278,000 (7%)
These numbers include young cattle. The UK government lists just over 2 million adult dairy cattle.
What is the difference between Holstein and Friesian in the UK?
In modern discussions, "Holstein" refers to animals whose family lines can be traced back to North American cows. "Friesian" refers to the traditional European black and white cattle.
To be included in the Holstein UK herd book (a record of purebred animals), there are specific rules:
- Class A is for cows that look like typical Holsteins or Friesians, with no clear signs of being mixed with other breeds. They must have between 50% and 74.9% Holstein or Friesian genes. If one parent is from another dairy breed, that parent must be a purebred animal registered in its own herd book.
- Class B is for calves born from a registered bull and a Class A or B cow. These calves must have between 75% and 87.4% Holstein or Friesian genes.
- For a cow or bull calf to be considered purebred (and included in the main Herd Book), it must be born from a Class B cow and a registered bull, and have 87.5% or more Holstein or Friesian genes.
Milk Production in the UK
On average, Holstein cows in the UK produce about 7,655 liters of milk per year over 3.2 lactations (milking periods). Purebred animals produce even more, averaging 8,125 liters per year over 3.43 lactations. This means a Holstein cow's total lifetime production is around 26,000 liters of milk.
Holsteins in the United States
History in the US
Black and white cattle from Europe were first brought to the US between 1621 and 1664. Dutch farmers settling in New York and Connecticut likely brought their native cattle with them. For many years, these cows were known as "Dutch cattle" and were praised for their excellent milk production.
The first official imports were in 1795, when six cows and two bulls were sent to New York. A settler described them as "the cows were of the size of oxen, their colors clear black and white in large patches; very handsome."
More imports followed in the early 1800s, but records were not well kept, and their genes mixed with local cattle. The first lasting introduction of the breed was thanks to Winthrop W. Chenery of Massachusetts. After two of his first imports were lost to disease, he made a third successful import in 1861. Other important imports followed, forming the start of the Holstein Herd Book.
After about 8,800 Holsteins had been imported, a cattle disease in Europe stopped further imports.
In the late 1800s, Friesian breeders in the US became interested enough to form groups to keep track of their cows' family trees. These groups merged in 1885 to create the Holstein-Friesian Association of America. In 1994, its name changed to Holstein Association USA, Inc.
A Presidential Cow
One of the most famous Holsteins was Pauline Wayne. From 1910 to 1913, she was an official presidential pet for the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. Pauline Wayne lived and grazed on the White House lawn and provided milk for the President's family. She was the last cow to be a presidential pet.
Milk Production in the US
In 2008, the average Holstein herd in the USA produced about 23,022 pounds (about 10,443 kg) of milk per year. This included 840 pounds (381 kg) of butterfat and 709 pounds (322 kg) of protein. US cows typically have about 2.75 lactations in their lifetime, meaning a total of around 61,729 pounds (about 28,000 kg) of milk.
US Holstein cows often produce more milk than those in other countries like the UK. This can be due to several reasons:
- Use of hormones: Some US dairy cows are given a milk production hormone called recombinant bST. This can increase milk production by about 894 kg (1,971 lb) over a 305-day milking period.
- Milking three times a day: Many US farms milk their cows three times a day instead of the usual two. This can lead to 17.3% more milk.
- Higher cow potential: North American Holsteins were specifically bred for very high milk production.
- Special feeding systems: Many US dairy farms use a "total mixed ration" (TMR) feeding system. This means all the cow's food is mixed together, which can lead to more milk production.
Genetics and Breeding
The last 50 years have been a "golden age" for Friesian breeding. New techniques like embryo transfer have helped to quickly multiply the offspring of the best cows and bulls.
One very important Friesian bull was Osborndale Ivanhoe, born in 1952. His offspring were known for their good size, body shape, and healthy udders and legs. Some of his famous descendants include:
- Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation, born in 1965, was a top bull who sired over 70,000 Holstein cattle. His descendants number over 5 million! He was named "Bull of the Century" in 1999.
- Penstate Ivanhoe Star, born in 1963, also produced daughters with high milk production. However, a genetic problem called complex vertebral malformation has been traced back to him and his descendants.
- Hilltop Apollo Ivanhoe, born in 1960, was the father of Whittier Farms Apollo Rocket, who was the highest milk production bull in the 1970s.
Cloning Holsteins
Scientists have even cloned famous Holstein bulls. Starbuck (2)II, a copy of the well-known bull Hanoverhill Starbuck, was born in 2000. This clone was made from frozen cells taken from the original Starbuck before he died.
Other famous bulls like Hartline Titanic and Braedale Goldwyn have also been cloned. In 2007, there was a lot of news in the UK about a calf cloned from a Canadian cow.
British Friesian cattle
While many farmers in the UK have focused on increasing milk production by adding Holstein genes, some prefer the traditional British Friesian. They believe the Friesian cow is more profitable in the long run, especially for farms that rely on grazing.
Friesian breeders say that in today's farming conditions, with lower milk prices, the British Friesian is a better choice for many farmers. This breed was very popular in the UK from the 1950s to the 1980s, and its cattle and semen were exported worldwide.
Even though the idea of "dual-purpose" animals (for both milk and meat) is less common now, the Friesian is still great for many farms. They are especially good where cows graze a lot.
Supporters of the Friesian argue that these cows live longer and have more lactations. This helps spread out the costs of raising them. Another benefit is that male Friesian calves can be raised for meat, providing extra income for the farm. They can be finished for beef at 11 months old or as steers at two years old, often on a cheaper diet of grass and silage.
Friesians may also have lower veterinary costs because they tend to be more fertile and less prone to lameness. They also often have a higher protein percentage in their milk, which can mean a better milk price. A Holstein cow, which is heavier, needs more energy each day than a Friesian.
British Friesian breeding has continued to improve. Farmers have achieved higher milk yields without losing the good qualities of the breed.
History of British Friesians
Friesian cattle were imported into England and Scotland from the Netherlands during the 19th century. However, live cattle imports were stopped in 1892 to prevent the spread of Foot-and-mouth disease.
In 1909, the British Holstein Cattle Society was formed, which later became the British Friesian Cattle Society by 1918. Early records showed that some Dutch cattle were "exceptionally good" while others were "remarkably inferior." Dutch cows also needed more high-quality food and care than some English cattle.
By the end of 1912, the herd book listed 1,000 males and 6,000 females, which formed the basis of the breed in England and Scotland. More Friesian cattle were imported in 1914 and 1922, helping to establish the Friesian as a strong, long-lived dairy breed in Britain.
The 1936 imports from the Netherlands brought a more "dual-purpose" type of animal. The Friesian breed grew greatly in the 1950s through the 1980s. However, in the 1990s, the influence of Holstein cattle increased. Today, some dairy farmers are questioning this trend and looking back at the benefits of the British Friesian, especially for grazing systems.
Modern Friesians are excellent grazing animals. They can maintain themselves over many lactations on both lowlands and uplands. Some amazing examples have 12 to 15 lactations, showing how naturally fertile they are. Protein percentages in their milk have also increased.
While the British Friesian is mainly a dairy breed, giving high amounts of quality milk, their male calves are also valued for producing high-quality, lean meat. Even heifers (young females) that are crossed with beef breeds are sought after as good replacement cows for beef herds.
Although the society's name was changed in 1988 to include "Holstein," British Friesian fans are unhappy that "Friesian" has now been removed from the name. The British Friesian cow, with a history spanning 100 years, continues to prove its value. Its strength and fertility make it a good choice for crossing with Holsteins.
The issue of what to do with male black and white calves often gets media attention. Many see it as a waste of a valuable resource. One of the great strengths of the British Friesian is that male calves can be raised for meat successfully, either quickly in intensive systems or more slowly as steers on grass. The latter system might become more popular as grain prices increase. The British Friesian's toughness and suitability for grazing and forage systems are well known.
Compared to Holsteins, Friesians tend to:
- Have calves more often.
- Have more calves in their lifetimes.
- Need fewer replacement cows.
- Provide valuable male calves for meat.
- Have lower cell counts (a sign of udder health).
- Have higher fat and protein percentages in their milk.
Polled Holsteins (No Horns!)
The first polled Holstein (meaning naturally hornless) was found in the United States in 1889. Polled Holsteins have a special dominant gene that makes them born without horns. This gene has historically been very rare in the Holstein breed. However, because people are concerned about the practice of dehorning (removing horns), interest in breeding polled cattle is growing quickly.
Red and white Holsteins
The red color in Holsteins, instead of black, is caused by a recessive gene. If a cow has two copies of this recessive gene ('bb'), she will be red and white. If she has at least one dominant gene ('BB', 'Bb', or 'bB'), she will be black and white.
History of Red and White Holsteins
Records from the 13th century show that cattle with "broken" colors (like patches) came into the Netherlands from Central Europe. Most of the first Holstein cows brought to the US between 1869 and 1885 were black and white. Early breeders decided that only black and white animals would be accepted into the herd book, and the breed would be called Holsteins. Some people disagreed, saying that quality, not color, should be the main focus.
For a long time, only a few cows carried the gene for red color. Most stories of red calves born to black and white parents were not officially recorded. Many red calves born before the 1970s were quietly removed from herds to protect the reputation of their parents' family lines.
In 1952, a bull used for artificial insemination (AI) in the US was found to carry the red coat color gene. Even though the AI unit told breeders about this, almost a third of the Holstein inseminations that year used this "red-carrier" bull. Despite this, rules about color markings were not changed.
The Red and White Dairy Cattle Association (RWDCA) started keeping records in 1964 in the United States. Its first members were breeders of Milking Shorthorn cattle, who wanted a dairy registry for their red and white cows, including some red and white Holsteins. The RWDCA allowed different breeds to be included, and the Red and White Holstein became very important.
The red trait survived despite efforts to get rid of it. Even when a red calf was removed from a herd, the owner rarely removed the mother, hoping she wouldn't have another red calf. Also, thousands of Holsteins were imported from Canada each year, and many of them carried the red gene. This balanced out the US efforts to reduce the red trait.
Canada's top red-carrier bull in the 1940s was A.B.C. Reflection Sovereign. His sons and grandsons spread the red gene throughout Canada and increased its presence in the United States in the 1950s and '60s.
It became clear that AI was the best way to find out which bulls carried the red gene. Before AI, few red-carrier bulls were discovered because they only bred with a few cows. If a red and white calf was born, it was often hidden and removed.
In 1964, the Netherlands Herd Book Society reported that 71% of their Friesian cattle were Black and White, and 28% were Red and White. A herd book for Red and Whites had already been set up in the US. A separate one was then created for Canadian Red and Whites, which helped make them acceptable in major Canadian export markets.
The US Holstein-Friesian Association worked hard to remove the red trait until 1970. However, once the door was open, red and whites started appearing in some of the best herds. The rush to get the best Canadian breeding stock, even before the herd book was officially opened, brought red calves to many dairy farmers who had never seen one before.
Canadian Red and Whites became eligible for registration in the herd book on July 1, 1969. They were listed with the suffix –RED. Over time, some of these special markings were removed from their names in the records.
The US Holstein Association decided not to have a separate herd book for red and whites. Instead, they used suffixes like –Red and –OC (off-color). The first red and white Holsteins were recorded with an R in front of their numbers.
Sometimes, calves were born red and white and registered as such, but then their hair would turn black (or mostly black) as they grew older. This became known as Black/Red. These Black/Red animals were often not accepted in Red and White shows. In 1987, Holstein Canada and the Canadian AI industry changed their rules to tell the difference between Black/Red and true red color patterns for bulls.
Famous Holsteins
- Pauline Wayne, US president Taft's "pet" cow.
- RORA Elevation, a prize-winning bull.
- Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief, a bull known for great milk production genes.
- Missy, a prize-winning cow from Canada.
- Belle Sarcastic, the "unofficial mascot" of Michigan State University Archives.
- Lulubelle III, pictured on the cover of the album Atom Heart Mother by the band Pink Floyd.
- Kian (1997-2013), the first red Holstein bull whose semen sold over one million units worldwide.
- Osborndale Ivanhoe (1952-1970), a Holstein bull whose semen was used for over 100,000 breedings around the world.
- Toystory (2001-2014), a Holstein bull whose semen sold over 2.4 million units worldwide, siring an estimated 500,000 offspring.
- Knickers, an extremely large bull from Western Australia who made headlines in 2018 for being too big to be processed at local meat factories.
Images for kids
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"Trina", pictured with Karl Merrill in 1910
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red and white heifer
See also
In Spanish: Holstein (raza bovina) para niños
