Holstein-Friesian Cattle

The Holstein-Friesian breed

Herds introduced into the North American continent from Frieseland and form regions Holstein and Vestfalia were called and recorded as Holstein-Friesian. Breeding purposes of these herds were always directed towards the development of a respiratory type breed with a massive milk production capability.

The European breeding approach appreciated that small scale producers adjusting to the changing market demand intended to produce both milk and beef. The enlargement of farm sizes in the US, the increasing mechanization and the specialization of production processes collectively encouraged american breeders to improve dairy traits only.

During the development of the Holstein-Friesian breed, apart from concentrating on milk productivity and mechanical milkability (under circumstances of long used mechanical milking technologies), adaptability to different management technologies was also considered to be an important selection trait. In order to secure maximal profit, breeders wanted to avoid using management practices providing affluent housing conditions exceeding the biological requirements of the animals. Always the cheapest and simpliest housing systems were applied.

This also contributed to fact that the Holstein-Friesian cows have no special requirements in terms of housing and climatic conditions. Indeed, they tolerate housing in semi-open free-stall barns as well as cold very well.

They require high quality feed in order to realise their great genetic potential. If this is lacking their condition declines first followed by a reduction in reproductive performance, and finally their milk production drops as well ("altruistic" behaviour). Reproductive parameters can well be improved by keeping to good management practices, providing appropriate feed and executing drying off carefully, because the reasons behind the negative tendencies are presumably not of genetical origin but are rather caused by metabolic malfunctions induced by the enormous milk production.

Ease of calving is normal in general, difficult calving is not frequent. In terms of sexual maturity it is a valuable, mid-early maturing breed. Heifers can be brought into breeding when reaching a weight of 360-380 kg at the age of 16 to 18 months. Its beef production is considered to be of intermediate level. Fattening animals muscularity is usually not satisfactory, however the growth rate of the young animals is high. In terms of daily weight gain they are often at the same level as the dual purpose breeds, or even as some of the beef cattle breeds. A further advantage of the breed is that beef steers can be fattened up to a huge slaughtering weight of about 500 kg. Carcass quality is medium or low.

External traits of the Holstein-Friesian cattle:

Although the breed is characteristic for the black and white spotted markings, there are also red spotted individuals, which are homozygotes in terms of colour. (Red colour is a recessive trait in the black and white animals.) Economically important traits of the red Holstein-Friesian cattle do not differ significantly from those of the black and white variety of the breed, however long term breeding progress is slower in the red variety simply because of the smaller population size. The red and white variety is mainly used in crosses when mixing of colours is to be avoided (e.g. in crosses between red and white breeds and the Holstein-Friesian).

Exploitation of the Holstein-Friesian cattle:

The Holstein-Friesian is primarily suitable suitable for milk production. It is the most important breed of dairy industry because of its large milk-producing ability, its udder being well suited for mechanical milking, and also for its great technological tolerance.
Hungarian breeders were among the first in Europe to recognise its value. A. HORN proposed in 1963 to introduce the breed, and his proposal was followed by the import of breeding animals and carrying out extensive crossings. As a result, at present Hungary has the largest population of Holstein-Friesian in Europe summing up to 23 000 animals.
In Hungary it is both maintained as a straightbred variety and is extensively used in crosses aimed at improving dairy traits. The import of purebred Holstein-Friesian stocks started in 1969. The production values of the stock in Hungary have met the expectations associated with the breed.