Nowadays, with the increasing demand for milk and meat, along with the development of science, many dairy cow breeds with different characteristics and growth capabilities have been created and are being raised popularly and widely throughout the country.
Dairy cows play an important role in the livestock industry in Vietnam, especially in providing milk for consumers. Currently, dairy cows are becoming an important source of income for many farming households. Raising dairy cows also contributes to the development of the agricultural economy and creates job opportunities for rural people. Let’s learn about these 5 cow breeds with high milk yield.
1. HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN (HF) DAIRY COW BREED
Holstein Friesian, or commonly known as HF, is a purebred cow breed – the most dominant hybrid breed today. This is a dairy cow breed originating from the Netherlands, famous for its easily recognizable black and white fur. First bred more than 40 years ago, the HF cow breed is considered one of the breeds that adapts very well to climatic conditions. HF is most commonly raised in low-temperature areas such as the northern mountainous regions (Moc Chau) and the Central Highlands (Lam Dong).
Image of HF
Holsteins not only have the highest milk yield in the world, but also give milk continuously for 10 months after each birth. Each day, an HF cow can give 30 – 40 liters of milk. Each cycle, a purebred HF can give 4,000 – 5,000 kg of milk, helping to reduce feeding costs and increase profits. HF cow milk has high protein and calcium content, and is very popular for producing sterilized fresh milk and other dairy products. In Vietnam, HF cows are the number one choice of large farms such as Vinamilk or TH True Milk.
2. JERSEY COW BREED
The Jersey cow breed, which appeared in Vietnam nearly 20 years ago. This breed originated from England. This breed is currently in the process of monitoring its adaptation to natural conditions in some regions of Vietnam.
Pure Jersey cows are mainly light yellow or dark yellow, with white patches on the head, belly or legs.
The milk yield of Jersey cows is lower than that of HF cows. A Jersey cow can produce 20 – 25 liters of milk per day. The average lactation cycle of a female Jersey cow is 3,000 – 5,000 kg (each cycle lasts about 300 to 310 days).
In particular, Jersey cow milk has a fairly high fat content (6 – 7%), is famous for its higher fat and protein content than other breeds, and is often used to make butter and fatty foods.
Thanks to its ability to consume little feed but produce nutritious milk, this breed of cow is an ideal choice for small-scale farmers in Vietnam.
3. RED SINDHI DAIRY COWS
Red Sindhi cows, commonly known as Red Sindhi cows. This breed comes from the Sindh province of Pakistan. This breed has demonstrated excellent adaptability to tropical climates. With a firm body and high heat resistance, Red Sindhi easily grows and develops in the hot and humid climates of Vietnam. Not only does it have good endurance, Red Sindhi also produces milk with an average yield of 2,200 – 2,500 kg in a cycle lasting about 270 days with a high fat content and milk fat ratio of 5 – 5.5%. This makes Red Sindhi the perfect choice for cow farmers who want to optimize butter and cheese production.
Image of Red Sindhi cow
4. F1 LAI SIND DAIRY COW BREED
F1 Lai Sind is the result of crossbreeding between Holstein Friesian cows and Sindhi cows. This is a ‘talented hybrid’ cow breed, combining both the high milk production ability of HF and the endurance to withstand harsh climatic conditions of Red Sindhi. F1 Lai Sind can produce 15-25 liters of milk per day, an impressive number for small farmers. It is worth noting that this breed of cow is very easy to raise, suitable for Vietnam’s climatic conditions, helping to save costs and improve economic efficiency.
5. BRAHMAN DAIRY COW BREED
Brahman breed is a type of beef cattle belonging to the Zebu breed originating from India. The cow is named after the revered Brahman god of Indian religion. This is a type of tropical beef cattle, widely raised in tropical and subtropical countries including Vietnam.
Brahman cattle have a grayish-white or mottled white coat, a strong, healthy physical appearance, well-developed muscles and shoulder humps, large, drooping ears. Although they are beef cattle, Brahman cattle also have a high milk yield of about 600 – 700 kg per lactation. Brahman cattle are famous for their excellent adaptability to hot and humid environments, low disease incidence and ease of care. This makes them an important part of dairy cattle breeding programs in Vietnam.
Image of Brahman cow
Those are the 5 most popular dairy cow breeds in Vietnam. Each breed has its own advantages, making it easy for farmers to choose the most suitable breed for themselves. Let’s work together to develop a sustainable dairy farming industry and create quality dairy products for everyone.