Friesian Cows - The Backbone of the New Zealand Dairy Industry

Friesian cattle, often referred to as Holstein or Holstein-Friesian, are the most common cow found on New Zealand dairy farms; renowned for their superior productive capacities. Their origins are linked to North Holland where they were the regional cattle dating back over 2000 years ago. The breed was developed and bred with the aim of increasing the output that the cattle produced, maximising the benefit of an abundant supply of grass. As time has passed, Friesian cows have developed their characteristic black and white appearance due to the artificial selection of breeders; a sign that is associated with high production dairy cows throughout the world.

Friesian cattle are distinctive in their appearance, being a large animal with distinguishing black and white colourations over the entire body; others white with red patches. Calves generally weigh between 40 and 45 kg at birth; although much larger have been recorded. On average, a fully grown Friesian cow will stand approximately 1.48 metres tall and weigh in the vicinity of 550 to 600 kilograms.

The New Zealand dairy industry is world leading in respect to the quality of product and the production levels that the farming operations within the industry are able to achieve. Being a leader in innovative technologies, management processes and productive additives to the farming production cycle, the basis of much of the increases in output is down to the breed of the cow. Over 40% of cows utilised in New Zealand dairy operations are Friesian, contributing significantly to the productive capacities as a result of their innate ability for increased production, as well as their positive response to external inputs in the farming environment.

The Friesian breed has numerous advantages over others utilised in the New Zealand dairy industry, including the ability to calve more frequently and in higher occurrences over their lifetime, they possess lower cell counts and have higher percentage levels of protein and fat and regularly give birth to valuable male calves. Through years of research on the productive capacities of the Friesian breed, it has been found that they are a versatile animal that produces high quality milk, offering high lifetime yields and their meat is desired for its high protein and leanness.

When considering additions to your farm, or perhaps the replacement of the entire herd; search for Friesian cows for sale. Laying the foundation for the dairy business to be grown upon is the most important aspect. Friesian cows provide that platform, enabling high milk yields of quality milk, greater increases in herd size through their ability to calve more frequently and the maximisation of the return on investment of external inputs into the farming and dairy operation.

John Kelly Livestock Ltd is a privately owned livestock Company based in Taranaki. John Kelly Livestock is the largest independently owned livestock Company in the Taranaki Region.

JKL specialises in Dairy Livestock and associated trading. This includes anything from 4 day old calves, Dairy Beef, Service Bulls, Dairy Herds, Export Dairy Heifers, Dairy Heifers and Dairy Weaners. JKL also provide procurement facilities for bobby calves, cull cows and all species of prime cattle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6312341