The Holstein breed outnumbers all others used in the United States for the production of milk.
Jersey and Guernsey breeds tolerate hot weather better than Holsteins, hence may be the predominant types used for the production of milk in hot weather in certain areas.
Cow’s milk contains an average of 3.8% fat (called butter fat), 3.3% protein, 4.8% lactose (a 12-carbon sugar), 0.7% ash (minerals), and 87.4% water.
Milk also contains vitamin and other nutrients in small amounts, making it the most complete of foods.
The young of mammalians survive on it exclusively. However, components of milk from different species vary, and occasionally the young one species may be unable to tolerate the milk from other species, mainly because of differences in lactose contained therein.
The fat content of milk from Ayrshire and Brown Swiss, and especially form Guernsey and Jersey breed, is slightly higher than that form Holstein cow’s, but later breed generally produces much more milk than the others.
Most milk is produced on farms than deal primarily with the raising of dairy cattle.
Milk
