Holstein breed of cows: description and characteristics, pros and cons and care

Among the many Western breeds, the Holstein is one of the best in terms of milk yield and meat productivity. The Holstein breed of cows is valued by farmers all over the world for high-quality milk, record daily milk yields, and good he alth. However, Holsteins are capricious in care, the well-being of animals worsens, and milk production is significantly reduced when the owner does not comply with the conditions of detention.

History & Description

Holstein - a breed of cattle of Dutch origin. Appeared in 1852. Breeding and distribution of the breed was carried out by the American breeder Winsrop Chenery; in the USA, Dutch cows are most widespread.Initially, the breed was called Holstein-Friesian, its representatives had an exclusively black and white spotted color, over time, red and white individuals appeared. Since 1983, the breed has been called simply Holstein.

In America, selection activities have been and continue to be carried out aimed at improving both milk and meat productivity of Holsteins. Breeders are working to enlarge the physique of animals, hoping to increase milk production.

External breed characteristics of Holsteins are shown in the table.

bodyelongated, close to a triangular shape when viewed from the side, lean, with underdeveloped muscles and a thin skeleton, the chest is narrow, deephornsshort limbs wool color

Height at the withers	Females - 142-145 cm, males - 150-160 cm
weight	females - 650-750 kg, males - 1000-1200 kg


long, with developed joints and wide set, high hooves
short
black and white, spotted, rarely red and white

Characteristics of the Holstein breed

Holsteinized Black-and-White breed belongs to the dairy type, but is characterized by good meat productivity. The Holstein-Friesian breed is extremely susceptible to the quality of maintenance and feeding. The yield depends on these factors. Climatic conditions also affect yield. The milder and warmer the climate, the more productive the cows.

On average, cows produce 8500 liters of milk per year with a milk fat content of up to 3.7%. In Israel, the annual milk yield in large farms reaches 10 thousand liters, in the USA - 9 thousand, in Russia it does not exceed 7.5 thousand. In a private household, 6-7 thousand liters are received per year from a cow.

Holstein cows are suitable for both hand milking and machine milking. The peculiarity of the productivity of the breed is that black and white cows, on average, give 2 times more milk than red relatives. The annual productivity of red cats does not exceed 4500 liters.

Slaughter weight reaches 55% of the bull's body weight. Newborn calves weigh 35-45 kg. By the age of one, with proper care and feeding, the bull reaches a mass of 800 kg. It is unprofitable to keep the animal further. If the bull is not intended for breeding events, then it is sent for slaughter. Holstein bulls are often crossed with cows of other breeds to produce offspring with increased productivity.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros and consgood he alth;good digestion and fast metabolism, ensuring milk production;rapid adaptation to environmental conditions;calm and affectionate disposition;the possibility of using for breeding work.negative reaction to poor-quality care and maintenance errors;deterioration of he alth in case of insufficient observance of hygienic conditions;costly keeping and feeding, exactingness to the quality of feed;low stress resistance, a significant decrease in milk yield during stress.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Holstein cows should not be crowded in a sedentary state. For cattle, it is necessary to organize a walking area. Daily walking improves metabolism and digestion, which positively affects the amount of milk produced.

The size of the walking area is made so that 20 m per individual^{2 A canopy is built over the area to protect animals from the scorching sun and precipitation. Be sure to install drinkers in which there should always be water. They walk the cattle every day for 2-3 hours, but only when there is no thunderstorm, strong wind or sleet. Pregnant females are not released 3 days before calving.}

Wooden barn is undesirable, it is better to make it out of brick. Holstein cows should be kept warm and comfortable. In winter, insulation is required, as the productivity of livestock is significantly reduced from the cold, and additional lighting is installed.

Suitable temperature in the barn is from +5 to +20 °C. The temperature for adult animals must not be allowed to rise to +23 °C, for calves - up to +27 °C. At temperatures below +5 °C, the Holstein cow becomes unproductive. The optimum air humidity is 60-70%. The barn must be ventilated, but drafts are unacceptable, because of them the cows get mastitis.

There should be 20 m per cow in the barn², 10 m per calf^{2 Animals are not tied, they either move freely , or are in spacious stalls equipped with feeders and drinkers. Straw is taken for bedding, a layer of 20 cm is made on the floor. To maintain cleanliness, a barn can be equipped with a sewer drain. Then the floor should be laid at a slight angle.}

The barn must always be clean. The litter must be changed as it rots. Manure clean 2 times a day. Wash feeders and drinkers daily. Twice a year, the farmer must do a general cleaning with disinfectants.

Diet

Holstein cows are extremely picky about their diet. Therefore, their content in the Siberian and northern regions of Russia usually turns into a failure. In the summer months, animals are fed 2 times a day with a lack of pasture. In the winter months, cows are fed 3 times a day. The summer diet is based on green fodder, in which the concentration of proteins is not less than 20% by weight. The composition must necessarily contain legume fodder grasses:

clover;
lupine;
peas;
alfalfa.

The winter diet is based on hay, corn, legumes and grain feed, meal. The food must be of high quality. Roughage should be 37%, juicy - 35%, concentrated - 28%. The amount of dry matter is 5 kg per 100 kg of cow body weight.

Approximate daily menu of an adult Holstein cow in winter:

hay - 7 kg;
haylage - 3 kg;
straw - 3 kg;
corn silage - 15 kg;
root crops and vegetables - 5 kg;
concentrates - 3 kg;
s alt - 100g

A cow drinks 50 liters of water per day, more during the lactation period. Water is provided warm, heated to a comfortable temperature.

Cow breeding

When breeding, the breed characteristics of bulls are taken into account, since the genes responsible for milk production are inherited from the father. Holstein bulls are carriers of excellent genetic material, they are crossed with cows of other breeds to increase the milk production of the latter.

The Holstein breed is not fertile, cows in their entire life bring no more than 3 calves. The birth process usually proceeds without complications. Newborn calves look strong, stocky, quickly rise, follow the mother.

Calf care is just as capricious as adults. Before calving, the stall must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Indoors, you need to maintain the optimum temperature and humidity.

The body of a newborn Holstein calf is susceptible to infection, so the farmer should not touch the calf with unwashed hands.

Diseases

Holsteins are distinguished by good he alth and physical activity, but only with proper care and maintenance. If hygiene standards are not observed in the barn, Holstein pets are affected by infectious diseases. Most often, necrobacteriosis (hoof rot) and leptospirosis (water fever) are a bacterial infection that affects the internal organs of a cow. Treatment is with antibiotics.

Cattle develop mastitis due to drafts and cold. Due to stress, milk disappears, so you should not transport animals unnecessarily, make noise near the barn.Holstein is a breed that is in great demand on all continents. The popularity of the breed is due to its high milk production and good meat production. But the breeding of Holstein cattle remains profitable only if the animals are kept in optimal conditions.