Holstein Friesians (often shortened to Holsteins in North America, while the term Friesians is

often used in the UK) are a breed of dairy cattle originating from the Dutch provinces of North
Holland and Friesland, and Schleswig-Holstein in Northern Germany and Jutland. They are
known as the world's highest-production dairy animals.

The Dutch and German breeders bred and oversaw the development of the breed with the goal
of obtaining animals that could best use grass, the area's most abundant resource. Over the
centuries, the result was a high-producing, black-and-white dairy cow.

With the growth of the New World, markets began to develop for milk in North America and
South America, and dairy breeders turned to the Netherlands for their livestock. After about
8,800 Friesians (black pied Germans) had been imported, disease problems in Europe led to the
cessation of exports to markets abroad.[1]

In Europe, the breed is used for milk in the north, and meat in the south. Since 1945, European
national development has led to cattle breeding and dairy products becoming increasingly
regionalized. More than 80% of dairy production is north of a line joining Bordeaux and Venice,
which also has more than 60% of the total cattle. This change led to the need for specialized
animals for dairy (and beef) production. Until this time, milk and beef had been produced from
dual-purpose animals. The breeds, national derivatives of the Dutch Friesian, had become very
different animals from those developed by breeders in the United States, who used Holsteins
only for dairy production.

Breeders imported specialized dairy Holsteins from the United States to cross with the European
black and whites. For this reason, in modern usage, "Holstein" is used to describe North or South
American stock and its use in Europe, particularly in the North. "Friesian" denotes animals of a
traditional European ancestry, bred for both dairy and beef use. Crosses between the two are
described by the term "Holstein-Friesian".

Contents

1 Breed characteristics

2 History
 3 United Kingdom

3.1 Numbers

3.2 Definition

3.3 Production

4 United States

4.1 History

4.2 Presidential cow

4.3 Production

5 Genetics

5.1 Cloning

6 British Friesian cattle

6.1 History

7 Polled Holsteins

8 Red and white Holsteins

8.1 History

9 Famous Holsteins

10 References

11 External links

Breed characteristics

Holsteins have distinctive markings, usually black and white or red and white in colour. On rare
occasions some have both black and red colouring with white. Red factor causes this unique
colouring. 'Blue' is also a known colour. This colour is produced by white hairs mixed with the
black hairs giving the cow a blueish tint. This colouring is also known as 'blue roan' in some farm
circles. They are famed for their large dairy production, averaging 22530 pounds of milk per year.
Of this milk 858 pounds (3.7%) is butterfat and 719 pounds (3.1%) is protein.[2]
A healthy calf weighs 40 to 50 kg (75-110 pounds) or more at birth. A mature Holstein cow
typically weighs 680-770 kg (1500-1700 pounds), and stands 145-165 cm (58-65 inches) tall at
the shoulder. Holstein heifers should be bred by 11 to 14 months of age, when they weigh 317-
340 kg (700-750 pounds) or 55% of adult weight. Generally, breeders plan for Holstein heifers to
calve for the first time between 21 and 24 months of age and 80% of adult bodyweight. The
gestation period is about nine and a half months.[3]

History

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Near 100 BC, a displaced group of people from Hesse migrated with their cattle to the shores of
the North Sea near the Frisii tribe, occupying the island of Batavia, between the Rhine, Maas,
and Waal. Historical records suggest these cattle were black, and the Friesian cattle at this time
were "pure white and light coloured". Crossbreeding may have led to the foundation of the
present Holstein-Friesian breed, as the cattle of these two tribes from then are described
identically in historical records.

The portion of the country bordering on the North Sea, called Frisia, was situated within the
provinces of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen, and in Germany to the River Ems. The
people were known for their care and breeding of cattle. The Frisii, preferring pastoral pursuits
to warfare, paid a tax of ox hides and ox horns to the Roman government, whereas the Batavii
furnished soldiers and officers to the Roman army; these fought successfully in the various
Roman wars. The Frisii bred the same strain of cattle unadulterated for 2000 years, except from
accidental circumstances. In 1282, floods produced the Zuiderzee, separating the cattle breeders
of the modern day Frisians into two groups. The western group occupied West Friesland, now
part of North Holland; the eastern occupied the present provinces of Friesland and Groningen,
also in the Netherlands.

The rich polder land in the Netherlands is unsurpassed for the production of grass, cattle, and
dairy products. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the production of butter and cheese was
enormous. Historic records describe heavy beef cattle, weighing from 2600 to 3000 pounds
each.
The breeders had the goal of producing as much milk and beef as possible from the same
animal. The selection, breeding and feeding have been carried out with huge success. Inbreeding
was not tolerated, and (distinct) families never arose, although differences in soil in different
localities produced different sizes and variations.[4]

United Kingdom

Up to the 18th century, the British Isles imported Dutch cattle, using them as the basis of several
breeds in England and Scotland. The eminent Prof. Low recorded, "the Dutch breed was
especially established in the district of Holderness, on the north side of the Humber; northward
through the plains of Yorkshire. The finest dairy cattle in England...", of Holderness in 1840 still
retained the distinct traces of their Dutch origin.[citation needed]

Further north in the Tees area, farmers imported continental cattle from the Netherlands,
Holstein or other countries on the Elbe. Low wrote, "Of the precise extent of these early
importations we are imperfectly informed, but that they exercised a great influence on the
native stock appears from this circumstance, that the breed formed by the mixture became
familiarly known as the Dutch or Holstein breed".[citation needed]

Holstein-Friesians were found throughout the rich lowlands of France, Belgium, the Netherlands
and the western provinces of Germany. The breed did not become established in Great Britain at
the time, nor was it used in the islands of Jersey or of Guernsey, which bred their own special
cattle named after the islands. Their laws prohibited using imports from the continent for
breeding purposes.[4] After World War II, breeders on the islands needed to restore their
breeds, which had been severely reduced during the war, and imported almost 200 animals.
Canadian breeders sent a gift of three yearling bulls to help establish the breed.

The pure Holstein Breed Society was started in 1946 in Great Britain, following the British
Friesian Cattle Society. The breed was developed slowly up to the 1970s, after which there was
an explosion in its popularity, and additional animals were imported. More recently, the two
societies merged in 1999 to establish Holstein UK.[5]

Numbers
Records on 1 April 2005 from Nomenclature for Units of Territorial Statistics level 1 show
Holstein influence appearing in 61% of all 3.47 million dairy cattle in the UK:[6]

Holstein-Friesian (Friesian with more than 12.5% and less than 87.5% of Holstein blood):
1,765,000 (51%)

Friesian (more than 87.5% Friesian blood): 1,079,000 (31%)

Holstein (more than 87.5% of Holstein blood): 254,000 (7%)

Holstein-Friesian cross (any of the above crossed with other breeds): 101,000 (3%)

Other dairy breeds: 278,000 (7%)

The above statistics are for all dairy animals possessing passports at the time of the survey, i.e.
including young stock. DEFRA lists just over 2 million adult dairy cattle in the UK.[7]

Definition

Holstein in this instance, and indeed in all modern discussion, refers to animals traced from
North American bloodlines, while Friesian refers to indigenous European black and white cattle.

Criteria for inclusion in the Supplementary Register (i.e. not purebred) of the Holstein UK herd
book are:

CLASS A is for a typical representative of the Holstein or Friesian breed, as to type, size and
constitution, with no obvious signs of crossbreeding, or be proved from its breeding records to
contain between 50% and 74.9% Holstein genes or Friesian genes. If the breeding records show
that one parent is of a breed other than Holstein-Friesian, Holstein, or Friesian, then such parent
must be a purebred animal fully registered in a herd book of a dairy breed society recognised by
the Society.

CLASS B is for a calf by a bull registered or dual registered in the Herd Book or in the
Supplementary Register and out of a foundation cow or heifer registered in Class A or B of the
Supplementary Register and containing between 75% and 87.4% Holstein genes or Friesian
genes.
For inclusion in the Pure (Holstein or Friesian) herd book, a heifer or bull calf from a cow or
heifer in Class B of the Supplementary Register and by a bull registered or dual registered in the
Herd Book or the Supplementary Register, and containing 87.5% or more Holstein genes or
Friesian genes will be eligible to have its entry registered in the Herd Book.[8]

Production

A Holstein heifer

The breed currently averages 7655 litres/year throughout 3.2 lactations, with pedigree animals
averaging 8125 litres/year over an average of 3.43 lactations.[5] By adding, lifetime production
therefore stands at around 26,000 litres.

United States

History

American breeders began to become interested in Holstein-Friesian cattle around the 1830s.
Black and white cattle were introduced into the US from 1621 to 1664. The eastern part of New
Amsterdam (present day New York) was the Dutch colony of New Netherland, where many
Dutch farmers settled along the Hudson and Mohawk River valleys. They probably brought cattle
with them from their native land and crossed them with cattle purchased in the colony. For
many years afterwards, the cattle here were called Dutch cattle and were renowned for their
milking qualities.

The first recorded imports were more than 100 years later, consisting of six cows and two bulls.
These were sent in 1795 by the Holland Land Company, which then owned large tracts in New
York, to their agent, Mr. John Lincklaen of Cazenovia. A settler described them thus, "the cows
were of the size of oxen, their colors clear black and white in large patches; very handsome".

In 1810, a bull and two cows were imported by the Hon. William Jarvis for his farm at
Wethersfield, Vermont. About the year 1825, another importation was made by Herman Le Roy,
a part of which was sent into the Genesee River valley. The rest were kept near New York City.
Still later, an importation was made into Delaware. No records were kept of the descendants of
these cattle. Their blood was mingled and lost in that of the native cattle.
The first permanent introduction of this breed was due to the perseverance of Hon. Winthrop W.
Chenery, of Belmont, Massachusetts. The animals of his first two importations, and their
offspring, were destroyed by the government in Massachusetts because of a contagious disease.
He made a third importation in 1861. This was followed in 1867 by an importation for the Hon.
Gerrit S. Miller, of Peterboro, New York, made by his brother, Dudley Miller, who had been
attending the noted agricultural school at Eldena (Kniglich Preuische Staats- und
landwirthschaftliche Akademie zu Greifswald und Eldena; the latter today a locality of the
former), Prussia, where this breed was highly regarded. These two importations, by Hon. William
A. Russell, of Lawrence, Mass., and three animals from East Friesland, imported by Gen. William
S. Tilton of the National Military Asylum, Togus, Maine, formed the nucleus of the Holstein Herd
Book.[4]

After about 8,800 Holsteins had been imported, a cattle disease broke out in Europe and
importation ceased.

In the late 19th century, there was enough interest among Friesian breeders to form associations
to record pedigrees and maintain herd books. These associations merged in 1885, to found the
Holstein-Friesian Association of America. In 1994, the name was changed to Holstein Association
USA, Inc.[2]

Presidential cow

President William Howard Taft's cow, Pauline, in front of the Navy Building, which is known today
as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building

Perhaps the most famous Holstein was Pauline Wayne, which served from 1910 to 1913 as the
official presidential pet to the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft. Pauline
Wayne lived and grazed on the White House lawn and provided milk for the first family. Pauline
Wayne was the last presidential pet cow.

Production

The 2008 average actual production for all USA Holstein herds that were enrolled in production-
testing programs and eligible for genetic evaluations was 23,022 pounds (10,443 kg) of milk, 840
pounds (380 kg) of butterfat and 709 pounds (322 kg) of protein per year.[9] Total lifetime
productivity can be inferred from the average lifetime of US cows. This has been decreasing
regularly in recent years and now stands at around 2.75 lactations, which when multiplied by
average lactation yield above gives around 61,729 pounds (28,000 kg) of milk.[10]

The current national Holstein milk production leader is Bur-Wall Buckeye Gigi EX-94 3E, which
produced 74,650 pounds (33,860 kg) of milk in 365 days, completing her record in 2016.[11]

The considerable advantage, compared to the UK, for example, can be explained by several
factors:

Use of milk production hormone, recombinant bST: A study in February 1999 determined the
"response to bST over a 305-day lactation equaled 894 kg of milk, 27 kg of fat, and 31 kg of
protein".[12] Monsanto Company estimates a figure of about 1.5 million of 9 million dairy cows
are being treated with bST, or about 17% of cows nationally.[13]

Greater use of three-times-per-day milking: In a study performed in Florida between 1984 and
1992 using 4293 Holstein lactation records from eight herds, 48% of cows were milked three
times a day. The practice was responsible for an extra 17.3% milk, 12.3% fat and 8.8% protein.
[14] Three-times-a-day milking has become a common in recent years. Twice-a-day milking is the
most common milking schedule of dairy cattle. In Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, milking at
10- to 14-hour intervals is common.[15]

Higher cow potential (100% Holstein herds): European Friesian types traditionally had lower
production performances than their North American Holstein counterparts. Despite Holstein
influence over the last 50 years, a large genetic trace of these cattle is still present.

Greater use of total mixed ration (TMR) feeding systems: TMR systems continue to expand in
use on dairy farms. A 1993 Hoard's Dairy survey reported 29.2% of surveyed US dairy farms had
adopted this system of feeding dairy cows. A 1991 Illinois dairy survey found 26% of Illinois dairy
farmers used TMR rations with 300 kg more milk per cow compared to other feeding systems.
[16] The American type of operation (North and South America) is characterised by large, loose-
housing operations, TMR feeding, and relatively many employees. However, dairy farms in the
northeast US and parts of Canada differ from the typical American operation. There, many
smaller family farms with either loose-housing or stanchion barns are found. These operations
are quite similar to the European type, which is characterised by relatively small operations
where each cow is fed and treated individually.[17]

Genetics
The golden age of Friesian breeding occurred during the last 50 years, greatly helped lately by
embryo transfer techniques, which permitted a huge multiplication of bulls entering progeny
testing of elite, bull-mother cows.

Osborndale Ivanhoe, b. 1952, brought stature, angularity, good udder conformation, and feet
and leg conformation, but his daughters lacked strength and depth. His descendants included:

Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation, b. 1965, often abbreviated RORA Elevation, was another top-
notch bull. He sired over 70,000 Holstein cattle, with descendants numbering over 5 million;
Elevation was named Bull of the Century by Holstein International Association in 1999.[18]
Elevation was the result of a cross of Tidy Burke Elevation being used on one of the best ever
Ivanhoe daughters, Round Oak Ivanhoe Eve. He was unsurpassed at the time for type and
production.

Penstate Ivanhoe Star, b. 1963, sired daughters with similar stature and dairy traits as the
Ivanhoes, but with higher production. He also notably sired Carlin-M Ivanhoe Bell, the great
production bull of the 80s, known also for good udders, feet and legs. A present-day genetic
disorder, complex vertebral malformation, has been traced to Carlin-M Ivanhoe Bell and
Penstate Ivanhoe Star.

Hilltop Apollo Ivanhoe, b. 1960, sire of Whittier Farms Apollo Rocket, b. 1967, was the highest
milk production bull of the 70s, and Wayne Spring Fond Apollo, b. 1970, was the first bull ever to
have a milk transmission index of over 2,000 M and have a positive type index. "Wayne" had a
very famous daughter, To-Mar Wayne Hay, that was dam of the great To-Mar Blackstar, b. 1983.

Cloning

Starbuck II, clone of the famous CIAQR sire Hanoverhill Starbuck, was born on 7 September 2000
in Saint-Hyacinthe. The clone is a result of the combined efforts of CIAQ, L'Alliance Boviteq Inc
and the Facult de mdecine vtrinaire de l'Universit de Montral. The cloned calf was born
21 years and 5 months after Starbuck's own birth date and just under 2 years after his death (17
September 1998). The calf weighed 54.2 kg at birth and showed the same vital signs as calves
produced from regular AI or ET. Starbuck II is derived from frozen fibroblast cells, recovered one
month before the death of Starbuck.[19]

The Semex Alliance also cloned other bulls, such as Hartline Titanic, Canyon-Breeze Allen,
Ladino-Park Talent and Braedale Goldwyn.

A huge controversy in the UK in January 2007 linked the cloning company Smiddiehill and
Humphreston Farm owned by father and son team Michael and Oliver Eaton (also owners of the
large, Birmingham-based stone product business, BS Eaton) with a calf that was cloned from a
cow in Canada. Despite their efforts to block the farm from view of the press, news cameras
broadcast this as breaking news among many of the country's top news stations.

Since then, this calf had been rumored to have been put down to protect the owners, the
Eatons, from invasions of the press.[20]

British Friesian cattle

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A British Friesian cow grazing

While interest in increasing production through indexing and lifetime profit scores saw a huge
increase in Holstein bloodlines in the UK, proponents of the traditional British Friesian did not
see things that way, and maintain these criteria do not reflect the true profitability or the
production of the Friesian cow.

Friesian breeders say modern conditions in the UK, similar to the 1950s through to the 1980s,
with low milk price and the need for extensive, low-cost systems for many farmers, may
ultimately cause producers to re-examine the attributes of the British Friesian.

This animal came to dominate the UK dairy cow population during these years, with exports of
stock and semen to many countries throughout the world. Although the idea of "dual-purpose"
animals has arguably become outmoded, the fact remains that the Friesian is eminently suitable
for many farms, particularly where grazing is a main feature of the system.
Proponents argue that Friesians last for more lactations through more robust conformation, thus
spreading depreciation costs. There is the added advantage of income from the male calf, which
can be placed into barley beef systems (finishing from 11 months) or steers taken on to finish at
two years, on a cheap system of grass and silage. Very respectable grades can be obtained,
commensurate with beef breeds, thereby providing extra income for the farm.

Such extensive, low-cost systems may imply lower veterinary costs, through good fertility,
resistance to lameness, and a tendency to higher protein percentage and, therefore, higher milk
price. An 800-kg Holstein has a higher daily maintenance energy requirement than the 650-kg
Friesian.

Friesians have also been disadvantaged through the comparison of their type to a Holstein base.
A separate "index" be composed to greater has been suggested to reflect the aspects of
maintenance for body weight, protein percentage, longevity and calf value. National Milk
Records figures suggest highest yields are achieved between the fifth and seventh lactations; if
so, this is particularly so for Friesians, with a greater lift for mature cows, and sustained over
more lactations. However, production index only takes the first five lactations into account.
British Friesian breeding has certainly not stood still, and through studied evaluation, substantial
gains in yield have been achieved without the loss of type.

History

Friesians were imported into the east coast ports of England and Scotland, from the lush
pastures of North Holland, during the nineteenth century until live cattle importations were
stopped in 1892, as a precaution against endemic foot and mouth disease on the Continent.
They were so few in number, they were not included in the 1908 census.

In 1909, though, the society was formed as the British Holstein Cattle Society, soon to be
changed to British Holstein Friesian Society and, by 1918, to the British Friesian Cattle Society.

The Livestock Journal of 1900 referred to both the "exceptionally good" and "remarkably
inferior" Dutch cattle. The Dutch cow was also considered to require more quality fodder and
need more looking after than some English cattle that could easily be out-wintered.
In an era of agricultural depression, Breed Societies notably had flourished, as a valuable export
trade developed for traditional British breeds of cattle. At the end of 1912, the herd book noted
1,000 males and 6,000 females, the stock which originally formed the foundation of the breed in
England and Scotland. Entry from then until 1921, when grading up was introduced, was by
pedigree only.

No other Friesian cattle were imported until the official importation of 1914, which included
several near descendants of the renowned dairy bull Ceres 4497 F.R.S. These cattle were
successful in establishing the Friesian as an eminent, long-lived dairy breed in Britain. This role
was continued in the 1922 importation from South Africa through Terling Marthus and Terling
Collona, which were also near descendants of Ceres 4497.

The 1936 importation from the Netherlands introduced a more dual-purpose type of animal, the
Dutch having moved away from the Ceres line in the meantime.

The 1950 importation has a lesser influence on the breed today than the previous importations,
although various Adema sons were used successfully in some herds.

The Friesian enjoyed great expansion in the 1950s, through to the 80s, until the increased
Holstein influence on the national herd in the 1990s[citation needed]; a trend which is being
questioned by some commercial dairy farmers in the harsh dairying climate that prevails today,
with the need to exploit grazing potential to the fullest.

Friesian semen is once again being exported to countries with grass-based systems of milk
production. The modern Friesian is pre-eminently a grazing animal, well able to sustain itself
over many lactations, on both low-lying and upland grasslands, being developed by selective
breeding over the last 100 years. Some outstanding examples of the breed have 12 to 15
lactations to their credit, emphasising their inherent natural fecundity. In response to demand,
protein percentages have been raised across the breed, and herd protein levels of 3.4% to 3.5%
are not uncommon.

Whilst the British Friesian is first and foremost a dairy breed, giving high lifetime yields of quality
milk from home-produced feeds, by a happy coincidence, surplus male animals are highly
regarded as producers of high quality, lean meat, whether crossed with a beef breed or not.
Beef-cross heifers have long been sought after as ideal suckler cow replacements.

Although understanding the need to change the Society's name to include the word Holstein in
1988, British Friesian enthusiasts are less than happy now that the word Friesian has been
removed from the Society's name. With the history of the breed spanning 100 years, the British
Friesian cow is continuing to prove her worth. The general robustness and proven fertility
provide an ideal black and white cross for Holstein breeders seeking these attributes.

The disposal of male black and white calves continues to receive media attention, and would
appear to be a waste of a valuable resource. One of the great strengths of the British Friesian is
the ability of the male calf to finish and grade satisfactorily, either in intensive systems, or as
steers, extensively. This latter system may become increasingly popular due to the prohibitive
increase in grain prices. The robustness of the British Friesian and its suitability to grazing and
forage systems is well known.

Compared to the Holstein the Friesian:

Calves more frequently

Calves more often in their lifetimes

Needs fewer replacements

Provides valuable male calves

Has lower cell counts

Has higher fat and protein percent[21]