Holstein, also known as Holstein-Friesian, is a dairy cattle breed originating from the Netherlands and northern Germany. The breed is the highest milk-producing dairy breed in the world, with an average production of 6 to 10 gallons per day. Holsteins are recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white or red-and-white spotted coat.
Holstein cattle were developed over 2,000 years by farmers in the Friesland region of the Netherlands, who selected for milk production and efficient feed conversion. The breed was first imported to the United States in the mid-19th century. The Holstein Association USA was founded in 1885, and the breed has since become the dominant dairy breed worldwide, comprising over 90 percent of dairy cattle in the United States.
Holsteins are large cattle with mature cows weighing 600 to 750 kilograms and bulls weighing 900 to 1,200 kilograms. The coat is black-and-white or red-and-white. Holsteins are known for their high milk yield, good feed conversion, and longevity. The milk has a lower butterfat content (3.5 to 3.8 percent) compared to Jersey milk, making it suitable for fluid milk production.
Dairy production is the primary purpose of Holstein cattle on homesteads. Their high milk yield provides ample milk for household use, cheese making, and butter production. The breed's size and appetite require substantial feed resources, making them better suited to operations with adequate pasture and supplemental feed.