Holstein Friesians are the most common breed, and they are very distinctive with their black and white pattern. Jersey and Guernsey cows tend to be a lot smaller than Holstein Friesians and are generally tan or brown with large eyes. Dairy cattle breeds have been bred over hundreds of years to produce large amounts of milk.
This is their key difference from beef breeds, as they produce milk in excess of what their calf needs. Holstein Friesians tend to produce large volumes of milk with low fat, whereas the Jersey and Guernsey breeds produce slightly lower volumes but with high percentages of fat.
Commonly used breeds of beef cattle in Australia include the Angus all black , Hereford red and white , Charolais white and Brahman floppy ears and a large hump between the shoulders. However, often beef breeds are crossed to give additional traits to the cattle such as tick resistance or fat marbling of muscle a trait commonly carried by Wagyu cattle. Beef cattle are stockier than dairy cattle and the cows of beef breeds only produce enough milk for their calves, unlike dairy cattle.
Another major difference between beef cattle and dairy cattle is their geographic distribution. Dairy cattle are very sensitive to heat, so they are typically kept in cool climates with relatively high rainfall.
Beef cattle particularly Bos taurus indicus breeds can tolerate higher heat levels, so can be kept across a much larger region of Australia. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. Cows A cow is a full grown female animal. Bulls A bull is a mature male who has never been castrated and is capable of breeding, which is their primary use in a cattle operation.
Heifer A heifer is the term used to describe a young female cow, who has not had a calf. Steer A steer is a bull who has been castrated, meaning his testicles have been surgically removed. Turtledove Life Expectancy. Indian Ringneck Color Varieties. Never to to old to learn new things.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your email:. Toggle SlidingBar Area. Previous Next. View Larger Image. By Julie Tomascik Every cow you see is the same, right? Actually, no!
So how do you tell the difference? Beef Cattle Beef cattle come in all colors. Beef cattle eat both grasses and grains, but primarily grass. Dairy Cattle Holstein like the cows pictured above is the most common of the dairy breeds.
Steer : A steer is a male bovine that cannot reproduce. Cow : A cow is a female bovine that has given birth to a calf. Heifer : A heifer is a female bovine that has not given birth to a calf. Calf : A calf is a baby bovine—male or female.
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