Surprise!
Surprise was our initial reaction when we found
this cute red and white calf in the
pasture this morning while checking for over
night deliveries. This is a a red and white
Holstein but when both the mother and father
are black and white,
it is a complete surprise to find a different color!
As you can see from the chart below,
there are 6 recognized breeds of dairy cattle.
Each one is beautiful and has its own characteristics.
The Holstein, which can be black and white or
red and white, is the largest of the dairy breeds
and gives the greatest volume of milk.
During our sons' 4-H dairy project years we enjoyed
raising Guernseys, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and Holstein.
We loved them all but the Holstein and Ayrshire are
the breeds that are in today's milking herd.
I'm thankful for these surprises that happen on just an
ordinary day down on the dairy farm.
