Supplying Canada with Milk and Milk Products
The Canadian dairy industry uses 7 breeds of cattle: Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, Guernsey, Canadian, Shorthorn and Brown Swiss.
These dairy breeds are distinguished from beef cattle by their triangular, elongated, tall body form.
Holstein
Holstein cattle, which originated in Holland and were introduced to Canada in 1881, today comprise over 85% of Canadian dairy cattle. The breed is characterized by its colour (shiny black and white), large size and exceptional milk production. Mature bulls weigh up to 1200 kg; mature cows, up to 750 kg. A mature cow annually produces an average of 8000 kg of 3.7% butterfat, 3.2% protein milk.
Ayrshire
Ayrshire cattle originated in Ayrshire, Scotland. They were introduced to Canada around 1821. The coat is light or dark red and white in varying proportions. Roughly 70% of Canada's Ayrshires are found in Québec. Bulls weigh up to 910 kg; cows, 570 kg. A cow annually produces about 6400 kg of 4.0% butterfat, 4.0% protein milk.
Jersey
Jersey cattle originated on Jersey Island and were brought to Montréal in 1868. Jerseys are a fawn colour, except along the spine, around the muzzle and on the inside of the legs, where they are a paler shade. Bulls are darker than cows and some strains produce offspring with white markings. Bulls weigh up to 725 kg; cows, 500 kg. Each cow produces about 5400 kg of milk annually.
Guernsey
Guernsey cattle, like Jerseys, were produced from Breton and Norman breeds. Developed on Guernsey Island, they were brought to Canada in 1876. Guernseys are comparable in size to Ayrshires, and buff in colour with distinctive white spots. A mature cow produces about 5800 kg of 4.6% butterfat, 3.6% protein milk annually.
Canadian
Canadian cattle were developed in Québec from cows imported from Brittany and Normandy by French settlers early in the history of New France. This breed is limited almost entirely to Québec. It is black or brown, although the back, muzzle and udder or scrotum are generally paler (sometimes yellow). Bulls weigh up to 770 kg; cows, 545 kg. A cow annually produces about 3800 kg of 4.4% butterfat, 3.6% protein milk.
Shorthorn
Shorthorn cattle originated in England and were first imported in 1832. They are considered a dual-purpose (milk and beef) breed; in Canada, all strains are registered in the same herd book. Shorthorns are red, white, roan or a mixture of red and white. Bulls weigh up to 1045 kg; cows, 770 kg. Cows annually produce about 4250 kg of 3.8% butterfat milk.
Brown Swiss
Brown Swiss cattle originated in Asia, were developed in Europe, particularly Switzerland, and were brought to Canada in 1888. These cattle mate well with beef breeds. Bulls weigh up to 1135 kg; cows, 700 kg. Mature cows will annually produce about 6600 kg of 4.1% butterfat, 3.5% protein milk.
The cache is located at N [Ayrshire] [Ayrshire] [Brown Swiss - Guernsey] [Jersey] . [Holstein - Jersey] [Milking Shorthorn] [Ayrshire - Canadian] and W [Guernsey + Jersey] [Brown Swiss] [Milking Shorthorn + Jersey] [Ayrshire] . [Holstein - Milking Shorthorn] [Canadian] [Guernsey + Holstein].