Origin of the Breed
The original stock were the black animals and
white animals of the Batavians and Friesians, migrant European tribes
who settled in the Rhine Delta region about 2,000 years ago.
For many years, Holsteins were bred and strictly
culled to obtain animals which would make best use of grass, the area's
most abundant resource. The intermingling of these animals evolved into
an efficient, high-producing black-and-white dairy cow.
Imports to America
After the New World was settled, and markets
began to develop for milk in America, dairy breeders turned to Holland
for their seed stock.
Winthrop Chenery, a Massachusetts breeder, purchased
a Holland cow from a Dutch sailing master who landed cargo at Boston
in 1852. The cow had furnished the ship's crew with fresh milk during
the voyage.
She proved to be such a satisfactory producer,
that Chenery made later importations of Holsteins in 1857, 1859 and
1861. Many other breeders soon joined the race to establish Holsteins
in America.
After about 8,800 Holsteins had been imported,
cattle disease broke out in Europe and importation ceased.
Americans Build Their Own Breed
In the late 1800's there was enough interest
among Holstein breeders to form associations for the recording of pedigrees
and maintenance of herdbooks. These associations merged in 1885 to found
the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, the Holstein Association.
Characteristics of Holsteins
Holsteins are most quickly recognized by their
distinctive color markings and outstanding milk production.
Physical Characteristics
Holsteins are large, stylish animals with color
patterns of black and white or red and white.
A healthy Holstein calf weighs 90 pounds or more
at birth. A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1500 pounds and stand 58
inches tall at the shoulder.
Holstein heifers can be bred at 15 months of
age, when they weigh about 800 pounds. It is desirable to have Holstein
females calve for the first time between 24 and 27 months of age. Holstein
gestation is approximately nine months.
While some cows may live considerably longer,
the normal productive life of a Holstein is six years.
Milk Production
Average production for all Holsteins enrolled
in official U.S. production-testing programs in 1987 was 17,408 pounds
of milk, 632 pounds of butterfat and 550 pounds of protein per year.
References:
Holstein Association, 1 Holstein Place, Brattleboro,
VT 05302-0808. Phone: (802) 254-4551.
Photographs:
Hoards Dairyman, Fort Atkinson, WI
