The Dutch Friesian was bred for many years
as a dual-purpose, it is now a prime milk-producing breed with milk
yields highest in the cows of North Holland with a yield per lactation
of 5,222 kg with a fat yield of 4.09%.
The exact origins of the breed are difficult
to determine but it is known that in the 18th century, herds of
small black-and-white cattle were brought into northern Holland
and Friesland from northern Jutland to replace animals that had
fallen victim to disease and flooding.
These animals were crossed with the existing
Dutch cattle and formed the basis of the Dutch Friesian. Before
the establishment of the Netherlands herdbook in 1873 and the Friesland
herdbook in 1879, both black-pied and red-pied animals were maintained
separately.
The preference for black-pied cattle, particularly
in the United States, led to the further segregation of red-pied
animals and presently this color variation only exists in small
number in the Netherlands.
Production levels of this breed declined
during the 1950s when excessive emphasis was placed on correct color
pattern. During the 1970s Holsteins were imported from the
United States and used to improved the milk production.
This resulted in larger animals with a more
pronounced diary characteristics. The mixing of these two
breeds is such that now many Dutch Friesians are 25% to 75% Holstein.
