Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Sahiwal

History The Sahiwal originated in the dry Punjab region which lies along the Indian-Pakistani border. They were once kept in large herds by professional herdsmen called "Junglies". With the introduction of irrigation systems to the region they began to be kept in smaller numbers by the farmers of the region, who used them as draft and dairy animals. Photo courtesy of The Australian Sahiwal Society,www.sahiwal.com.au Today the Sahiwal is one of the best dairy breeds in India and Pakistan. Due to their heat tolerance and high milk production they have been exported to other Asian countries as well as Africa and the Caribbean.  The...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Randall

History Randall cattle are a rare breed of purebred cattle developed in Sunderland, Vermont, USA, on the farm of cattle breeder Everett Randall. He produced a closed herd for over 80 years, they are considered to be a landrace breed, descended from the indigenous cattle common in New England in the nineteenth Century.  Photo courtesy of Cynthia Creech,www.cynthiasrandallcattle.com In 1985 the Randall cattle were rescued from the Randall farm as Mr E. Randall had passed away and his wife was unable to keep them, Cynthia Creech took on the breed to preserve the genetics from extinction. During the following years the breed had...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Norwegian Red

History Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University,www.ansi.okstate.edu This breed designation originated in 1961 when the Norwegian Red-and-White, Red Trondheim and the Red Polled Østland. Later in 1963 the Døle was also absorbed into the designation and in 1968 South and West Norwegians were added. Others breeds which have been said to contribute to the gene pool include Ayshires, Swedish Red-and-Whites, Friesians and Holsteins. By 1975, 98% of the Norwegian national herd belonged to this designation. Using the classical definition the Norwegian Red cannot be considered a breed. It is an amalgamation to develop superior strain of dual-purpose...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Normande

History The Normande originated in Normandy, France from cattle brought to the country by Viking conquerors in the 9 th and 10 th centuries. For over a thousand years these cattle evolved into a dual purpose breed to meet the milk and meat needs of the residents of northwestern France. The present herd book in France was started in 1883. Though the breed was decimated by the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, there are currently 3 million Normandes in France. Their present role in France is to provide rich milk for the cheese industry while maintaining their excellent carcass quality. In other parts of...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Montbéliarde

History The Montbéliarde originated in the Haute SaÔne-Doubs region of France, they descend from the Bernoise cattle that were brought by the Mennonites in the 18th Century to France.  The breed was originally called the Alsatian breed until around the mid 1800's when it changed to Montbéliarde.  In 1990 the Montbéliarde accounted for 11% of the French national cattle herd, ranking third in the list of dairy breeds in France; that year there were 1,8 million head, 840,000 of which were cows. Two years later it had passed the Normande and ranked second on the list of dairy breeds in France, and in 1994 the breed numbered...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Milking Devon

History The Milking Devon has been bred (in the USA) from the Devon which originated in Britain that is supposed to be descended from the same aboriginal breed as the Hereford and the Sussex. In 1623, two heifers and a bull from north Devonshire, England, were received by a member of the Plymouth Colony. They were the first importation of cattle from Britain, although the Spanish had introduced cattle in the south. Their immediate value was as draft animals. Cattle from Devonshire had long been recognised in England for their speed, intelligence, strength, willingness to work, and ability to prosper on course forage, in a wide range...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Meuse Rhine Issel

History The Meuse Rhine Issel originates from the Netherlands and Germany. In the Netherlands, it was developed in the region of the three rivers from which it gets its name. In Germany it comes from the regions of Westfalia, Rhineland and Schleswig Holstein, and is known there as the Rotbunt. Photo courtesy of Dairy Dreams, www.dairydreams.co.uk The last part of their name is sometimes spelled "Yssel" or "Ijssel". The Meuse Rhine Issel is also known as Rotbunt, Roodbont, Maas-Rijn-Yssel, Rotbunte holländische, Mosane-rhénane-ysseloise, Dutch Red-and-White, Red Pied Dutch, MRI and MRY.  In 1874 the Dutch herdbook was...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Lineback

History The Lineback is a rare breed originating from America, in the 18th and 19thCentury the Lineback was a dual-purpose animal, fulfilling the owners needs for both milk and meat. During these times there was an increase in importation of European and British breeds such as the Witrick, Gloucester and Welsh cattle. It can be assumed that cattle that were exported to the USA could have played a part in the history of this breed.  Photo courtesy of the American Lineback Dairy Cattle Association, americanlinebacks.tripod.com During the 19th Century progressive American farmers began to look again to Europe for...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Kerry

History Kerry Cattle are an Irish dairy breed believed to be one of the oldest breeds in Europe (from comparing skull formation) and most probably the descendants of the Celtic Shorthorn, brought to Ireland as long ago as 2000 B.C. They are still found grazing in the marginal pastures of the hill districts of southwestern Ireland. The Kerry has the distinction of being the first breed developed primarily as a milk producer. This breed is no longer classified as a rare breed.  Kerry's are known for their milk and they produce good quality milk with small fat globules which are easily digestible and ideal for cheese and yoghurt production. Characteristics Photo...

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Pedigree Dairy Breeds : Jersey

History Despite considerable research, nothing definite is known as to the actual origin of the cattle first brought to Jersey Island. Most research agrees, that the Jersey probably originated from the adjacent coast of France, where in Normandy and Brittany cattle resembling Jerseys are found.  Whatever the correct phylogenetic form of the Jersey might be, it would appear, when analysing the available data, that the domesticated fore-father of the Jersey came from Asia, belonged in all probability to Bos brachyceros, was probably tamed during the Stone Age, some 10 000 years ago or more and migrated to Europe through Central...

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