Australian cows are an important part of the country’s culture and economy, providing not only delicious meat but also clothing and other necessities. So what exactly is an Australian cow? Here’s everything you need to know about these gentle animals, including the seven most popular breeds and how much milk they give daily.
What Is An Australian Cow?
While there are many types of cattle found in Australia, including Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn breeds; one of the most common Australian cows is known as Friesian. This breed was brought to Australia in 1880 by Dutch settlers, who settled with them around Northern New South Wales. The Friesian was originally imported for its milk production abilities, but it has evolved since then and now only produces milk once a year.
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The Most Popular Breeds Of Australian Cows
The Red and White Dairy breeds, as well as Friesian/Holstein, are popular with dairy farmers. The Fleckvieh is a popular beef breed in Australia. The Brangus and Australian Murrah breeds are also common. Here’s a list of some of Australia’s most popular cattle breeds: Red Angus, Red Poll, Shorthorn, Dexter, Galloway, Holstein Friesian, and Longhorn. [Source]
5 Strange Facts About Australian Cows
As it turns out, there are many strange facts about Australian cows that might surprise you. For example, did you know that most Australian cows don’t give milk? Yup! The 7 breeds of cattle in Australia only produce breast milk when they have a calf. Once they’ve given birth, these cows produce colostrum, which is high in protein and antibodies and is also secreted by other mammals as an immune system booster for their newborns. As calves get older, they transition to regular milk (just like humans). At around 9 months old, their mother will stop producing colostrum altogether. So, if you think all Australian cows are lactating creatures all day long—think again!
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How Much Do They Produce A Day?
It depends on breed and production cycle. A typical dairy cow produces between 40 to 80 liters of milk per day, though during peak lactation that number can be as high as 130 liters per day. (Fun fact: 1 liter of milk is roughly equivalent to 1.25 U.S. gallons.) That said, average Australian cows are not specifically bred for their volume; they're bred more for a balance of healthy, tasty meat and consistent high-volume production of their daily ration. If you want your cow that is specifically bred for volumes at maximum output, see below for some helpful links about how you can get started buying one!
Where Are Their Milk Glands Located?
Since cows are mammals, and mammals nurse their young with milk produced by mammary glands, you might logically assume that a cow’s mammary glands would be located at its udder. But a cow’s udder is just an enlarged portion of her mammary chain. Where are a cow’s actual milk glands? Right, where you’d expect them to be – attached directly to her teats. The four major groups of cattle raised around the world include Aberdeen Angus, British Longhorn, Hereford, and Scottish Highland. Of these breeds, British Longhorns produce around 16 liters (4 gallons) of milk per day on average.
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