When you think of a dairy cow, the mental picture that pops up in your

brain probably depicts a black and white bovine with a shiny coat and an
eraser-pink nose. Theres no doubt Holsteins are the most common dairy
cow, but theyre not the only breed of cattle that produce dairy products.
Holsteins, Jerseys, Guernseys, Ayrshires, Brown Swiss, Milking Shorthorns
and Dutch Belted are the seven major dairy cow breeds, and they can all be
found in Washington state.

Washington state has nearly 273,000

dairy cows.
In fact, Washington boasts about 440 dairy farms with nearly 273,000
contented dairy cows. And with a little help, youll be able to identify the
different types of cows you see when driving by your local dairy.

1. Holsteins

The most popular of all the dairy cow breeds, Holsteins are black and white
(and sometimes red). Their markings are like human fingerprints: no
Holsteins have the same markings. Holsteins are the most common dairy
cow because they tend to produce more milk than all the other breeds.

2. Jerseys

Jersey cows, named for the British isle of Jersey where they originated, are
most often brown or tawny with a light-colored underbelly and dark hooves.
Their milk is the richest of all the dairy cows and high in butterfat, making it
the ideal milk for the production of butter and cheese.

3. Guernseys

Also known as the Royal Breed because of the golden hue of their milk. The
golden tone is due to an exceptionally high content of beta carotene, a
source of Vitamin A. Guernseys themselves are also a golden color and can
have white markings. As their name suggests, Guernseys were originally
bred on the British Channel Island of Guernsey.

4. Ayrshires

Ayrshires (pronounced air-sheer): Ayrshires are reddish-brown with many

spots. They were first bred in the Scottish County of Ayr and arrived in
America in 1822.

5. Brown Swiss

This breed native to Switzerland (if you needed us to spell it out) is one of
the oldest in existence. Their color varies from light-to-dark brown and
sometimes gray, but they are easily recognized by their large furry ears.
Brown Swiss have a very gentle nature.

6. Milking Shorthorns

Once known as Durhams, these cows were imported from Northeastern

England. Washingtons dairy farming tradition actually began in 1836 when
Dr. Marcus Whitman brought 16 Durham cows to serve the mission he
established in Walla Walla. Milking shorthorns can be red, red with white
marking, white or roan.

7. Dutch Belted

A Dutch belted cow may be the easiest dairy cow to identify because of the
wide belt of white around its middle section. It is estimated that there are
less than 300 Dutch Belted cattle in the United States.

Each breed is a different size, shape and color; but now that youve met our
dairy cow family, you should be able to tell them apart when you see them
grazing in a nearby field.

Questions
1. What is the common idea of how a dairy cow looks?
A. Spotted with a black nose
B. Small with big horns
C. Black and white with a pink nose
D. White and brown with a pink nose
2. What is the most popular cow used in dairy farming?
A. Dutch Belted
B. Milking Shorthorns
C. Holsteins
D. Brown Swiss
3. Why are these cows so popular?
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4. Name the cow that fits the description
They are kind and they belong to the cows who have been on this earth the longest.
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5. Explain, in 30 words, which cows are your favourite.
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