The different breeds of dairy cattle have been established by years of careful husbandry, selection and mating of animals to attain desired types. In the 19th and early 20th century, increased milk and butterfat production was the primary goal of dairy farming in the US. Dairy cattle recognized for their milk production (quantity) and quality were imported from overseas and raised on farms in Delaware and elsewhere in the country. Today, the top breeds of dairy cows in our state (1) include:
Cattle, regardless of breed, belong to the family Bovidae (hollow-horned ruminants, which also includes antelope, sheep, and goats), subfamily Bovinae (which includes buffaloes and spiral-horned antelope), tribe Bovini (which includes cattle, bison, and yak), and genus Bos—the names of which are all derived from bos, the Latin word for cow. 2
What makes a "cow" a cow vs. a bull, heifer, or calf?
- Dairy cow breeds - The Cattle Site
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/cow