Holstein Cows

The Holstein breed was developed by migrant European tribes, the Batvians and the Friesians, who settled in the Rhine Delta region of the Netherlands about 2,000 years ago. The black animals of the Batvians and the white animals of the Friesians were bred together to develop an animal that evolved into an efficient, high-producing black and white dairy cow now known as the Holstein. The Holstein breed was established in America from Holland stock in the mid-1800s.

Holsteins are easily identified by their large size and color patterns of black and white or red and white. Calves typically weigh about 90 pounds at birth. A mature Holstein weighs about 1500 pounds and stands 58 inches tall at the shoulder.

Milk produced by cows is measured in pounds. The Holstein national average milk production per cow is about 20,000 pounds annually. The Wilsondale Holsteins owned by Pineland Farms, Inc. have a reputation as some of the finest Holsteins in the world, with many producing 30,000 pounds of milk per year. Pineland Farms milk is sold to Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, Maine.

Holstein cow uses:  dairy products and breeding.

Learn more about Wilson-dale Holsteins at Pineland Farms in the Farming Section.