100% Grass-Fed Dairy Cows at Maple Hill
At Maple Hill, we know it’s the partnership between farmers, land, and cows that makes the creamiest, purest, most nutrient-dense dairy. They each play a critical role in making the best dairy, but our cows are our heroes (and we love to celebrate them– in fact, you may have seen our bovine friends like Percey or Cha Cha grace the cartons of our 100% grass-fed milk). Let’s talk a little about the most common dairy cows that provide milk all across the country, and get
Meet the 100% Grass-Fed Dairy Cows in the Maple Hill Milkshed
More About Dairy Cows
The 100% Grass-fed Dairy Cows in the Maple Hill Milkshed
The 100% grass-fed dairy cows at Maple Hill live across 130 small family farms, most with around 50 cows living at each farm. They are able to roam freely to graze in pastures until winter, where they eat fermented, high-moisture grass called baleage and dried grass. This grass and soil friendly cycle makes Maple Hill’s dairy cows, and its dairy, so unique.
When Maple Hill dairy cows graze on naturally on healthy pastures, they consume more grass per gallon of milk produced than the average dairy cow. This higher-quality forage directly benefits their health and the milk they produce — including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support brain health.
100% grass-fed organic dairy cows are truly exceptional. These cows graze freely and produce milk naturally as they grow and age, living full lives across these family farms. Each breed of dairy cow at Maple Hill brings its unique qualities to the farm, and together they produce creamy, nourishing milk that stands out from the rest.
The choice of breed usually depends on the specific needs of the dairy farmer — at Maple Hill, each of our farms include mainly Jersey cows, Jersey crosses, and some smaller Holsteins. That said, we are in awe of all cow breeds, each with its own unique characteristics and strengths. That’s why we’re dedicating this blog to the animals who give us so much every single day– on our farms, and all over the country.
More About Dairy Cows
While our Maple Hill milkshed is made up predominantly of Jersey cows and Holsteins, we celebrate the magic of all kinds of dairy cows who help feed families all over the country every day.
There are hundreds of recognized breeds of dairy cows, but only a small group of breeds that are prominent in the U.S., including Holstein, Red and White, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, Ayrshire, and Brown Swiss. These breeds have been carefully selected and bred over centuries to produce milk.
Different kinds of dairy cows mean different appearances, personalities, and types of milk. Let’s meet each of the top six kinds of dairy cows in the U.S., including the cows that make delicious Maple Hill 100% grass-fed dairy products.
Here is a quick guide to the top six U.S. breeds:
Holstein: The most common dairy cow breed in the U.S., Holsteins are known for their high milk production and black and white markings.
Red and White: A relatively new breed, Red and Whites are similar to Holsteins in terms of milk production but have a distinctive red and white color pattern.
Jersey: Smaller than other dairy breeds, Jerseys produce milk with a higher butterfat content which makes it ideal for making butter and cheese.
Milking Shorthorn: A dual-purpose breed that can produce both milk and beef, Milking Shorthorns are known for their hardiness and adaptability.
Ayrshire: A Scottish breed with a distinctive red and white color pattern, Ayrshires are known for their high-quality milk and hardiness.
Brown Swiss: Originating in Switzerland, Brown Swiss are large, muscular cows that produce high-quality milk with a high protein content.
Meet the Jersey
These brown cows make up most of our Maple Hill milkshed, weighing around 1,000 pounds and notable for their big brown “puppy” eyes and sweet temperament. Jersey cows enjoy consistent routines for eating and milking and can be more wary of change than other breeds. Their milk is famous for high butterfat, with 18% more protein, 20% more butterfat, and 20% more calcium than milk from other cows. Fun Fact: Jerseys can’t sweat, so they prefer to relax in the shade.
Meet the Holstein
Originally from the Netherlands, this adaptable breed of dairy cow is probably the most recognizable with its black-and-white spots. Holsteins are also the largest breed of dairy cow, weighing around 1,500 pounds and producing ~7 gallons of milk a day. The world record for milk production was set by a Holstein dairy cow from Wisconsin in 2017. Fun Fact: No two Holsteins have the same spot pattern.
Meet the Red and White
Red and White cows are a variation of the Holstein breed (and the most recent breed recognized as of 1964!), and were bred when farmers began selecting the recessive red color hair trait in Holsteins. They also have genetics from some other dairy cows on this list, including Milking Shorthorns and Ayrshire, and are best known for high milk production. Fun Fact: 90% of dairy cows in the U.S. are from Holstein descent.
Meet the Milking Shorthorn
Producing ~15,000 pounds of milk per year, the Milking Shorthorn is most well-known for its ability to produce both dairy and beef. Their unique red and white coloring, good nature, and the longevity of their lactation make them a popular choice around the world, and they are sometimes called “The Farmer’s Cow.” Fun Fact: this breed of dairy cow was one of the first introduced in the U.S. in the 1780’s.
Meet the Ayrshire
These beautiful reddish brown spotted cows originally come from the county of Ayr in Scotland, and are now known around the world as a resilient breed of cattle for rugged terrain and chilly climates — much like their native home. Brought to the U.S in the 1820s, Ayrshires are easygoing, adaptable, and they produce milk that is perfect for butter and cheese. Fun Fact: This breed of cow can sleep standing up.
Meet the Brown Swiss
The Brown Swiss is considered to be the oldest breed of milk cow, dating back to as early as 4,000 BC. In their native home Switzerland, farmers used to walk them up to high mountain meadows in summer. They are brown and gray in color and very good natured and inquisitive. Fun Fact: Even though they’re called “Brown” Swiss – their coloring can range from brown and gray to off-white.
Each cow breed has a story. And at Maple Hill, we’re always thinking about how to help each cow live its life the way nature intended– roaming on open pastures, eating a completely grass-fed diet, living among its herd. It’s not only best for the animal and soil health, it also produces the creamiest, purest, most nutritious, and best tasting dairy out there.
Learn more about our 100% grass-fed Maple Hill dairy cows:
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