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 health. However, Holsteins are capricious in their care, the animal’s well-being deteriorates, and milk production is significantly reduced when the owner does not comply with the conditions of detention.
History and description
Holstein is a cattle breed of Dutch origin. Appeared in 1852.The breed was bred and spread by the American breeder Winsrop Chenery; in the USA, Dutch cows are most widespread. Initially, the breed was called Holstein-Friesian, its representatives had exclusively black and white spotted colors, over time red and white individuals appeared. Since 1983, the breed has been called simply - Holstein.
In America, breeding activities have been and continue to be carried out aimed at improving both the milk and meat productivity of Holsteins. Breeders are working to enlarge the physique of animals, hoping to increase milk yield.
External breed characteristics of Holsteins are shown in the table.
| Height at withers | Females – 142-145 cm, males – 150-160 cm |
| weight | females – 650-750 kg, males – 1000-1200 kg |
| head | large, classic shape, on a tendon neck |
| torso | elongated, close to a triangular shape when viewed from the side, lean, with underdeveloped muscles and a thin skeleton, the chest is narrow, deep |
| horns | short |
| limbs | long, with well-developed joints and wide set, high hooves |
| wool | short |
| color | black and white, spotted, less often red and white |
Characteristics of the Holstein breed
The Holsteinized black-and-white breed is of the dairy type, but is characterized by good meat production. The Holstein-Friesian breed is extremely sensitive to the quality of maintenance and feeding. The milk yield depends on these factors. Climatic conditions also affect milk yield. The milder and warmer the climate, the more productive the cows.
On average, cows produce 8,500 liters of milk per year with a milk fat content of up to 3.7%.In Israel, the annual milk yield on large farms reaches 10 thousand liters, in the USA - 9 thousand, in Russia it does not exceed 7.5 thousand. In private farming, 6-7 thousand liters are received per cow per year.
Holstein cows are suitable for both hand milking and the use of a milking machine. The peculiarity of the productivity of the breed is that black and white cows, on average, produce 2 times more milk than their red relatives. The annual productivity of red pets 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 year, with proper care and feeding, the bull reaches a weight of 800 kg. It is no longer profitable to keep the animal. If the bull is not intended for breeding events, then it is sent to slaughter. Holstein bulls are often crossed with cows of other breeds to produce offspring with increased productivity.
Advantages and disadvantages
Subtleties of maintenance and care
Holstein cows should not be kept in close quarters or in a sedentary state. It is necessary to organize a walking area for cattle.Daily walking improves metabolism and digestion, which has a positive effect on the amount of milk produced.
The size of the walking area is made such that there are 20 m per individual.2. A canopy is built over the site to protect the animals from the scorching sun and precipitation. Be sure to install drinking bowls in which there must be water at all times. They walk the cattle every day for 2-3 hours, but only when there is no thunderstorm, strong wind or ice. Pregnant females are not released 3 days before calving.
A wooden barn is undesirable; it is better to make it out of brick. Holstein cows need to be kept warm and comfortable. In winter, insulation is required, since the productivity of livestock is significantly reduced by the cold, and additional lighting is installed.
Suitable temperature in the barn is from +5 to +20 °C. The temperature for adult animals should not be allowed to rise to +23 °C, for calves - to +27 °C. At temperatures below +5 °C, the Holstein cow becomes unproductive. Optimal air humidity is 60-70%. The barn must be ventilated, but drafts are unacceptable, as this causes cows to develop mastitis.
There should be 20 m per cow in the barn2, per calf – 10 m2. The animals are not tied up; they either move freely or are kept in spacious stalls equipped with feeders and drinkers. For bedding, take straw and make a 20 cm layer on the floor. To maintain cleanliness, you can equip the barn with a sewer drain. Then the floor needs to be laid at a slight angle.
The barn should always be clean. The litter must be changed as it rots. Remove manure 2 times a day. Wash feeders and drinkers daily.Twice a year, the farmer must carry out general cleaning using disinfectants.
Diet
Holstein cows are extremely picky about their diet. Therefore, their maintenance in the Siberian and northern regions of Russia usually ends in failure. In the summer months, animals are fed 2 times a day when there is a shortage of pasture. During the winter months, cows are fed 3 times a day. The summer diet is based on green food, in which the protein concentration is at least 20% by weight. The composition must necessarily contain legume forage grasses:
- clover;
- lupine;
- peas;
- alfalfa.
The winter diet is based on hay, corn, legumes and grain feeds, and meal. The food must be of high quality. Rough feed should be 37%, juicy – 35%, concentrated – 28%. The amount of dry matter is 5 kg per 100 kg of cow body weight.
An approximate daily menu for an adult Holstein cow in winter:
- hay – 7 kg;
- haylage – 3 kg;
- straw – 3 kg;
- corn silage – 15 kg;
- root vegetables and vegetables – 5 kg;
- concentrates – 3 kg;
- salt – 100 g.
A cow drinks 50 liters of water per day, more during the lactation period. The water is given warm, heated to a comfortable temperature.
Cow breeding
When breeding, mainly the breed characteristics of bulls are taken into account, since calves inherit the genes responsible for milk production from their father. Holstein bulls are carriers of excellent genetic material; they are crossed with cows of other breeds in order to increase the milk productivity of the latter.
The Holstein breed is not fertile; cows produce no more than 3 calves in their entire lives. The birth process usually proceeds without complications.Newborn calves look strong, stocky, rise quickly, and follow their mother.
When it comes to caring, calves are just as capricious as adults. Before calving, the stall must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The room needs to maintain optimal 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 health 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. The most common are necrobacteriosis (foot rot) and leptospirosis (water fever), a bacterial infection that affects internal organs of a cow. Treatment is with antibiotics.
Due to drafts and cold, cattle develop mastitis. Milk disappears due to stress, so you should not transport animals or make noise near the barn unless absolutely necessary. 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 breeding Holstein cattle remains profitable only if optimal conditions for keeping the animals are maintained.
