Dairy cattle

Dairy cattle (also called dairy cows) are cattle bred for the purpose of producing large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cattle are of the genusBos and usually the species Bos taurus.

Prior to the 1930s, cattle were generally raised for multiple uses, including dairy, beef, and sometimes work as well. The same stock was often used for both meat and milk production. In the 20th century, the industry began to specialize its herds, favoring cattle breeds specifically bred for cows producing milk, most notably the Holstein Friesian. The other main contemporary dairy-focused breeds are the Jersey, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Ayrshire.