Dangerous cattle

fatmammycat

Hello, I've a few questions I hope some of you might be able to answer for me.
1-What are the best milk producing cattle? Jersey? Holstein? Fresian?
1a, which breed would be more common for a small holding?

2-Bulls; what breed of bull would you consider to be the least safe temper wise?
2a, would it be likely that a farmer would cross one breed of bull with a different breed cow? perhaps to improve stock? What breeds might be usually crossed. Not for beef, but for dairy.

Thanks for your consideration.

jeff greene

fatmammycat wrote: »

Hello, I've a few questions I hope some of you might be able to answer for me.
1-What are the best milk producing cattle? Jersey? Holstein? Fresian?
1a, which breed would be more common for a small holding?

2-Bulls; what breed of bull would you consider to be the least safe temper wise?
2a, would it be likely that a farmer would cross one breed of bull with a different breed cow? perhaps to improve stock? What breeds might be usually crossed. Not for beef, but for dairy.

Thanks for your consideration.

Holstein
Holstein
Jersey closely followed by Holstein
Yes but its frowned upon:rolleyes:
Ho x Je, Ho x SR, Ho x Mo

fatmammycat

Thanks so much! Would you mind telling me why the Hx J crossbreed is frowned upon? I have not the faintest idea about cattle.

Tipp Man

fatmammycat wrote: »

Hello, I've a few questions I hope some of you might be able to answer for me.
1-What are the best milk producing cattle? Jersey? Holstein? Fresian?
1a, which breed would be more common for a small holding?

2-Bulls; what breed of bull would you consider to be the least safe temper wise?
2a, would it be likely that a farmer would cross one breed of bull with a different breed cow? perhaps to improve stock? What breeds might be usually crossed. Not for beef, but for dairy.

Thanks for your consideration.

1. Holstein produce the most milk - Jersey produce much higher levels of protein and BF per litre but less litres
1. Holstein or Friesian - actually Holstein Friesian cross is probably the most common now

2. Jersey followed closely by anything black and white
2. Yes it would be fairly common - to get different traits into the herd. Any mix of Holstein, Friesian, Jersey, Norweigan Red, Swiss Brown, Mount Beliarde would probably be the most common in Ireland for dairy cross

jeff greene

fatmammycat wrote: »

Thanks so much! Would you mind telling me why the Hx J crossbreed is frowned upon? I have not the faintest idea about cattle.

It was said in jest Nothing wrong with them, horses for courses. Crossbreeding has become popular recently as farmers are looking for cows to suit their low input system

Tipp Man

fatmammycat wrote: »

Thanks so much! Would you mind telling me why the Hx J crossbreed is frowned upon? I have not the faintest idea about cattle.

Is it frowned upon??

first i've heard of it - although personally i would use a third breed in that cross personally

H x Fr x J is often seen as the ideal for a grass based system

fatmammycat

jeff greene wrote: »

It was said in jest Nothing wrong with them, horses for courses. Crossbreeding has become popular recently as farmers are looking for cows to suit their low input system

Ah okay. Thanks.

fatmammycat

Tipp Man wrote: »

Is it frowned upon??

first i've heard of it - although personally i would use a third breed in that cross personally

H x Fr x J is often seen as the ideal for a grass based system

T'was just in response to JG's joke. And thank you for your response. Very helpful.

doctor evil

Are Dexter cows any good for milk?

bogman_bass

if you are looking to get a "house cow" I would get a jersey or british friesian.
They are smaller and easier managed in a smallholding situation
A holstien has too much milk for a household