Author:
Ellen Moore
Date Of Creation:
19 January 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Perhaps you and your family need a dairy cow for personal use, or perhaps you have decided to start a business. In any case, you need to know that there are several dairy cow breeds, ranging from the most famous (for example, Holstein) to quite rare (for example, Dutch belted). In this article, we will show you how to choose a good dairy cow.
Steps
1 Decide on the size of your cow. Breed greatly influences the size of the cow, and also how much feed you plan to feed the animal. After all, the larger the cow, the more it needs to be fed. Of course, you will have to spend a lot of money on feed. - Holstein cows are the largest breed of dairy cows, and when it comes to feeding, they can become real monsters! Jersey - one of the smallest breeds of dairy cows, they will be easier to feed and maintain.
2 Decide what kind of character you want your cow to have. Do you need a nervous and windy cow, or would you prefer an obedient and calm one? By comparison, the Swiss Brown is the most docile breed of dairy cow that any farmer and novice would handle. The Holstein cow is usually a little nervous, and the jersey is a little bumpy. 
3 Determine how much milk you want from this cow. For maximum milk production, the most suitable breed is the Holstein cow. If you are buying a cow for yourself and your family, you will not need much milk. "Dual-use" breeds (which produce milk and meat) are ideal. It is possible that this may not be enough for you. Dexter cows produce less milk than Ayshire and Guernsey cows. The dairy cow can be used to make cheese and butter. Jersey and Swiss Brown produce milk with a higher protein content, so they are ideal if you are looking to do cheese making. The Ayshir and Guernsey breeds are not very different. 
4 Think about how much you are willing to spend on a cow. Dairy cows of simple breeds are usually cheaper, but they may not produce as much milk as you need. Be careful, the cow may be limping or sterile.If you are a novice farmer, it is better to be careful and not buy cows with which there may be problems. If you are an amateur farmer, perhaps you will not regret the money and effort spent, because the result will not be long in coming. - The most popular cow breeds are likely to be cheaper than the rare breeds. For example, a Dutch belted or Canadian cow can be more expensive than a good Holstein cow.
5 Find out what breeds of cows there are in your city. Choose a breed based on your location. Cows that are considered rare in one part of the world may be more common in another. 
6 Find out more about the breed you have chosen. It is not difficult and very useful, maybe you change your mind or, conversely, make sure of the correctness of your decision. Learn about breed health, breeding ability, lifespan, milk volume. Read the history of this breed and finally make a decision. 
7 Find a seller and buy an animal! This is the last step. Good luck to you! Welcome to the world of cattle keeping and breeding!
Tips
- Read the article "How to start a dairy farm" if you are going to start your own business.
- Remember that all breeds have their merits and demerits. There is no such thing as "the best breed". This is why you should choose a breed based on your needs, goals and expert advice.
- Choose a breed based on the size of the farm, the milk production and the funds you are willing to spend on keeping the animal. Remember that the larger the cow, the more feed she will need, and she does not always give more milk.
