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The 5 Best Dairy Cattle Breeds For The Homestead
Jersey. Image source: prepare-and-protect.net
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right dairy breed for your homestead or small farm.
A good place to start is to make a list of what will best serve your particular needs. For instance, if you have your heart set on lots of butter, you’ll want to select a breed that is known for producing milk with a high butterfat content, such as a Brown Swiss or Jersey.
Size is another consideration, as is ease of calving. A 1,300-pound Brown Swiss will consume more feed and hay than a 600-700 pound Dexter.
While ease of calving is a breed trait, there are lines within breeds that are better than others. Be sure to ask questions when looking at specific herds you’re considering.
Here are my five favorite breeds for the homestead:
1. Dexter
This breed has been developed with the homesteader in mind, averaging 600-700 pounds at maturity. The meat is lean, which is a consideration, as you’ll most likely have some bull calves.
Dexters are easy calving with great maternal instinct. In fact, Dexter cows will many times take orphan calves.
Everything You Need To Know To Keep A Cow Healthy, Happy, And Productive…
They do not produce as much milk as most of the other traditional dairy breeds, coming in at an average of two gallons per day, with butter fat around four percent.
Source: http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/the-5-best-dairy-cattle-breeds-for-the-homestead/
