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Which cattle breeds are widely used for dairy farming?
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Livestock farming
Pregnant brown and white Guernsey cow.
In the context of livestock farming, commercial dairy production relies primarily on five major cattle breeds, each valued for specific traits such as milk volume, butterfat content, or hardiness.12
The five major dairy breeds are:
- Holstein-Friesian: The most widely used breed globally, known for producing the highest volume of milk.13
- Jersey: A smaller, docile breed recognized for producing milk that is exceptionally rich in butterfat and milk solids.14
- Brown Swiss: A hardy breed with a wedge-shaped body, valued for its ability to adapt to various environments.12
- Ayrshire: A hardy, deep-bodied breed originally from Scotland, typically red or brown with white markings.12
- Guernsey: Known for being an excellent milk producer, this breed is fawn-colored with white markings.12
Additionally, there are minor and dual-purpose breeds, such as the Milking Shorthorn and the Red Poll, which are utilized for both milk and meat production.12