The Holstein-Friesians from Holland, Jerseys, Guernseys and Alderneys
from the English Channel islands, the Ayrshires from Scotland, Dutch
Belted, French Canadians, and Kerry cattle, the latter from Ireland, and
Brown Swiss from Switzerland, are all especially dairy cattle. The
Holstein-Friesians are large and noted for their heavy production of
milk and at the same time large carcasses, while, on the other hand, the
Jerseys, Guernseys and Alderneys are less in size and noted for the
richness of their milk rather than its great quantity. The Jersey shares
popular honors in the dairy world with the Holstein-Friesian.
AYRSHIRE.--Medium size, standard weight for cows 1000 pounds, bulls 1500
pounds or more. A little smoother than Jersey or Holstein but from
behind wedge shape is evident. Tips of ears notched, horns white with
black tips and curve outward and upward. Body large and deep, ribs well
sprung, hindquarters often heavy. Udder shows high development of form
and setting. Color variable though red, white and brown in patches. Mild
but active disposition. Dairy breed.
BROWN-SWISS.--Weight for cows 1200 pounds and bulls 1800 pounds. Colors
shade from light to dark chestnut brown. Light tuft of hair between
horns, on inside of ears, and a narrow line along back. Nose black,
mouth surrounded with meal-colored band. Horns with black tips, medium
size. Face dishing, large, full eye; ribs well sprung. Hoofs and tongue
black, udder large, extending well up in front and rear. Teats large,
well placed. Short legs. Dairy breed.
GUERNSEY.--Clean-cut, lean face, long, thin neck, backbone rising well
between shoulder blades, pelvis arching and wide, rump long, abdomen
large and deep, udder full in front, of large size and capacity. Teats
well apart, and of good even size. Hair a shade of fawn with white
markings, cream colored nose, horns amber, small, curved and not coarse.
Mature cows about 1050 pounds. Bulls 1200 to 1500 pounds. Dairy breed.
=SPLENDID HERDS AND FLOCKS ON AMERICAN FARMS=
[Illustration: =HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS ON A MODERN DAIRY FARM IN IOWA=
This fine breed of dairy cattle probably excels all others for the
general purposes of the dairy-farm. As milk producers they outrank all
other breeds as they do also in size.]
[Illustration: =A FINE FLOCK RESTING BENEATH THE TREES OF MONTANA=]
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN.--Color black and white piebald. Head broad between
eyes, eyes large and bright, horns small, tapering toward tips, neck
long, chest moderately deep and low, barrel long and wedge shaped, large
abdomen, legs rather short and nearly straight and wide apart. Hair
fine, soft and furry. Udder very capacious, extending well forward in
front; teats well formed and wide apart. Dairy breed.
JERSEY.--Small head, muzzle black or dark in color surrounded by light
or mealy strip of light skin and hair. Eyes prominent, bright and wide
apart. Horns crumpled, small, often black tipped. Neck fine, clean and
small. Legs short, fine boned and small. Body well rounded, large and
deep. Skin mellow, loose, yellow, with short fine silky hair. Udder
large, not pendulous. Teats medium size, placed far apart. Back straight
from shoulder to tail. Movement light and graceful. Cows 800 to 1000
pounds, bulls 1200 to 1500 pounds. Dairy breeds.