Tropical breeds of dairy cattle are raised in warmer climates that are not suitable for traditional dairy breeds. Tropical breeds are generally smaller than traditional dairy breeds and produce less milk.
The Holstein Friesian is by far the most common breed of dairy cow in the world. However, there are many other breeds that can be found throughout the world. Breeds such as the Jersey, Brown Swiss and Ayrshire originated in Europe and Asia while Guernsey and Brown Swiss originated in the United States but are now found all over the world thanks to their excellent milk production ability.
Tropical Breeds Of Dairy Cattle
These breeds have been developed specifically for tropical climates where temperature extremes make it difficult to raise traditional dairy breeds such as Holsteins or Jerseys.
Tropical breeds of dairy cattle are a group of cattle breeds which are well adapted to tropical climates. These cattle are raised for dairy products, meat, and hides. They include the West African Dwarf (WAD), East African Dwarf (EAD), N’Dama and Ankole-Watusi breeds.
West African Dwarf (WAD) Cattle
Tropical Breeds Of Dairy Cattle
West African Dwarf (WAD) is a breed of small, short-legged dairy cattle developed in West Africa. They are a popular breed for small-scale farmers because they are very hardy and can thrive in harsh conditions without much care or attention from their owners. WADs have white or cream colored skin, with black or brown patches; they may also have black or brown stripes on their bodies. They have large ears and long horns that twist around themselves like corkscrews; this gives them the nickname “spiral horned.” The horns grow upward then curve back down over their heads, forming an upside-down “U” shape when viewed from above. They usually weigh between 300 pounds (135 kg) at maturity, but some individuals weigh as much as 400 pounds (180 kg). WADs may live up to 20 years but average 14 years in
Dairy cattle are generally divided into two broad categories:
- Tropical breeds of dairy cattle
- European and North American dairy cattle
Tropical breeds of dairy cattle are found in most tropical and subtropical regions, such as India, Africa, South America and Australia. These animals have evolved to produce large quantities of milk in hot climates. For example, the Nelore breed from Brazil produces more than 8,000 litres (about 10,000 pints) of milk per year!
The Sahiwal breed from Pakistan produces about 7,500 litres (or 9,000 pints) per year. Other tropical breeds include the Gir cow from India, which can produce up to 6,000 litres (or 8,000 pints) per year
There are many different types of tropical dairy cattle. Some are native to the tropics, while others have been brought in from other regions.
The most common types of dairy cattle in the tropics are:
Jersey Cattle
Jersey cows are medium-sized, red or white with horns. They produce about 5 litres (1 g) of milk per day and produce high quality butterfat.
Holstein Friesian Cattle
These are large, black-and-white animals with two pairs of curved horns that extend forward from their heads. They produce about 12 litres (2 g) of milk per day and have good fertility and milking ability.
Guernsey Cattle
Guernseys are medium sized, black and white animals with a single pair of horns that curve forward over the back of their heads. They produce about 10 litres (2 g) of milk per day and have good fertility and milking ability but less butterfat than Jerseys or Holsteins.
The dairy industry is a major part of the U.S. economy, with over 9 million cows producing nearly 8 billion gallons of milk each year. The vast majority of these cows are Holsteins, but there is a growing interest in the use and production of other breeds as well.
Here are some of the more common breeds used in the dairy industry:
Ayrshire – These cattle are known for their high butterfat content and mild temperament. They are considered medium-sized animals and have a reddish brown coat with white markings around their eyes, muzzle, udder and tail tip. Ayrshires were first imported into North America in 1869 by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Brown Swiss – This breed originated from Switzerland and has been around since at least the 16th century. They were first imported into North America in 1842 by Thomas Jefferson who wanted to improve his Virginia herd with new genetics from Europe. Brown Swiss are known for their ability to produce large quantities of high quality milk on a consistent basis without needing much supplemental feed during winter months when grass is limited due to cold temperatures or snow cover.
Jersey – Jersey cows are small-sized animals with black or red coats that have