Identify Guernsey Cattle

Guernsey cattle are considered a favorite among beginner dairy farmers because of their gentle temperament and resilience to various climates. The Guernsey cattle breed produces less milk than some breeds, but the dairy they produce offers a more nutritious yield. While they are not the most common dairy cow breed, there are real benefits to raising Guernsey cattle, but first, you need to learn to identify them. While their white and red coloration is often as easy giveaway, there are a few other differences you can look for to identify Guernsey cattle from other cows and bulls.

Steps

Identifying Guernsey Cattle by Appearance

  1. Note the color of the cattle. Guernseys are typically fawn to brown with white patches. Most white markings are found on Guernsey cattle on the shoulder or behind the elbows, up from the flanks and sometimes in front of the hips; though some cattle may have many more patches behind their shoulders on the rest of the body.[1]
    • Guernseys often have white on the belly and on each leg often below the knees and hocks.
    • Many other Guernseys will have a white diamond or star-shaped patch on the center of their foreheads.
  2. Pay attention to the body shape. Guernseys are a dairy breed, so they often have an angular body shape and large udders (in cows only, remember) Guernsey cattle are only slightly larger than Jersey cattle.[2]
    • Bulls also have the angular shape in the rump, unlike most other beef bulls.
    • Most Guernsey cows do not exceed 1200 lbs.
  3. Inspect the head. Guernsey cattle can be identified by the unique characteristics of their heads as compared to other cattle breeds. Guernsey cattle are medium sized, with proportionate, but slight, heads.[3]
    • Guernsey males and females both have fairly feminine looking features when compared to other cattle like Red Angus.
    • Guernsey cattle are born both horned and poled (or naturally without horns).
  4. Determine the sex of the animal. In order to properly identify Guernsey cattle, you will need to determine the animal’s gender. Gender is usually easily determined visually from a distance, but in the event the bull is malnourished, the differences between the genders may be less apparent.[4]
    • Males, or bulls, will usually have heavily muscled shoulders and much thicker necks than females.
    • Bulls also often have a hump just behind the neck that is easily visible from a distance.
    • Both male and female Guernsey cattle may have horns.

Understanding the Benefits of Guernsey Cattle

  1. Measure the cattle’s milk output. Guernsey cattle produce around 40 pounds of milk per day. They have not gained as much popularity in the dairy industry as Holsteins because of their relatively lower output, but the milk produced by Guernsey cattle is arguably more nutritious.[5]
    • Guernsey milk contains 12% more protein, 30% more cream, 33% more Vitamin D, and 25% more Vitamin A than traditional Holstein milk.
    • Guernsey milk also contains 15% more calcium than average milk does.
  2. Note the cow’s temperament. Guernsey cattle are a docile breed and are commonly considered to have a gentle disposition. Other dairy cattle have been known to be more nervous or skittish.
    • Jersey cattle, which are the closest to Guernsey cattle in relation, behave in a very similar manner but are known to get nervous at times.
    • Guernsey cattle are considered great for beginner dairy farmers because of their disposition.
  3. Cross breed Guernsey cattle with other breeds. Guernsey cattle make for such efficient and well-tempered cattle that farmers have often decided to cross breed them with other dairy cattle.
    • Guernsey cattle can be cross-bred with higher producing dairy cattle like Zebu to produce a cow that has a higher output but retains a higher protein content in the milk.
    • Guernsey cattle can be cross-bred with Jersey cattle to create a cow that is hardier than either is alone.
  4. Understand the Guernsey cattle aging process. Guernsey cattle are able to reproduce at a relatively young age and live long lives. They are very hardy and adjust well to most climates, making this type of cattle among the most coveted among beginning dairy farmers.[6]
    • Guernsey cattle can begin calving, or procreating, at around two years of age: younger than many other breeds of dairy cattle.
    • Guernsey cattle have been known to survive for twenty to thirty years, allowing for a long life of milk production and calving.

Tips

  • Guernseys are also not to be confused with Ayrshires. Ayrshire cattle are more red than brown, and they tend to be bigger animals than Guernseys are.
  • Guernseys are not to be confused with Jerseys. The names sound the same, but they're two very different breeds. Jerseys are those that have dark eyes, dark noses, hooves, and tail switches.

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/guernsey
  2. ↑ http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/guernsey
  3. ↑ https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/guernsey-cattle
  4. ↑ https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/guernsey-cattle
  5. ↑ https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/guernsey-cattle
  6. ↑ https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/guernsey-cattle
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Identify_Guernsey_Cattle&oldid=328262"