CATTLE Holstein

The Holstein, also known as Holstein-Friesian or Friesian, is a breed of cow known today as the world's highest production dairy animal. The Holstein breed of cattle is originally from Europe. It originated in the part of Holland that is known as Friesland. The original stock was the black animals and white animals of the Batavians and Friesians, migrant European tribes who settled in the Rhine Delta region about 2,000 years ago. For many years, Holsteins were bred and strictly culled to obtain animals which would make best use of grass, the area's most abundant resource. The intermingling of these animals evolved into an efficient, high-producing black-and-white dairy cow.

Brief History In 100 BC, a displaced group of people from Hess, migrated with their cattle to the shores of the North Sea near the Friesians, occupying the island of Batavia, between the Rhine, Maas and Waal. Historical records suggest these cattle were black; and that the Friesian cattle at this time were "pure white and light coloured". Crossbreeding may have led to the foundation of the present Holstein-Friesian breed, as the cattle of these two tribes from then on appear identical in historical records The portion of the country bordering on the North Sea was called Freesia, situated within the provinces of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen and in Germany to the river Ems. The people were known for their care and breeding of cattle. The Friesians, preferring pastoral pursuits to warfare, paid a tax of ox hides and ox horns to the Roman government, whereas the Batavians furnished soldiers and officers to the Roman army; these fought successfully in the
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various Roman wars. The Friesians were thus able to breed the same strain of cattle unadulterated for two thousand years, except from accidental circumstances. 1282: Floods produced the Zuider Zee, separating the cattle breeders into two groups. The western group occupied West Friesland, now part of North Holland; the eastern, the present provinces of Friesland and Groningen. The rich Polder land in the Netherlands is unsurpassed for the production of grass, cattle and dairy products. Between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, the production of butter and cheese was enormous, and history tells of the existence of remarkably heavy meat cattle, weighing from twenty-six hundred to three thousand pounds. The aim was to produce as much milk and beef as possible from the same animal, and selection, breeding and feeding have been carried out with huge success. Inbreeding was not tolerated, and (distinct) families never arose, although differences in soil in different localities produced different sizes and variations. Characteristics Holsteins have very distinctive markings and outstanding milk production. They are large, black and white marked animals that can be anywhere from mostly black to mostly white, or half and half. A healthy Holstein calf weighs 90 pounds or more at birth. A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1500 pounds and stand 58 inches tall at the shoulder. Holstein heifers can be bred at 15 months of age, when they weigh about 800 pounds. It is desirable to have Holstein females calve for the first time between 24 and 27 months of age. Holstein gestation is approximately nine months. While some cows may live considerably longer, the normal productive life of a Holstein is six years.

PIGS Landrace

The Landrace originates in Denmark and is a breed used mainly for bacon production and cross-breeding. There are several variations of the Landrace pig breed, each named after their country of origin (America, Denmark, Sweden etc.). All Landrace breeds are long pigs with pink skin, white hair and ears that droop over their eyes. Typically, it is the Danish Landrace that most people think of, as it is probably the best example of a Landrace breed. Landrace pigs are a common second breed in crossbreeding programs in modern production, because of their good meat structure and maternal abilities. They are very efficient at converting food to meat, and produce little excess fat. There is a program for continued improvement of the breed to increase efficiency and quality of the meat. Landrace pigs are ideally suited for bacon and ham production. Their ham meat is well structured, and their long backs means that more bacon can be produced per pig. Landraces are known for their rapid growth when young, typically reaching a heavier weight at weaning than other breeds, which is another factor in their lasting popularity in factory farms. Characteristics Landrace have white skin and are free from black hair. They are a lop-eared pig with a long middle, light forequarters, and excellent ham development. The major faults with the original Landrace were leg weakness, splay legs and nervous disorders such as porcine stress syndrome (PSS). PSS still occurs in some strains. With the advent of the intensive housing system in Australia the Landrace became very popular in cross-breeding programs with the Large White breed. First and subsequent crosses were ideally suited to intensive pig production. Today, the majority of crossbreds contain Landrace and Large White blood.
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The Landrace breed improved carcass quality in the early years of its introduction into Australia, mainly because of the large size of their eye muscle. Carcass competitions in the late 1960s were regularly won by Landrace pigs. In addition, the Landrace was noted for its early, rapid growth, and its weight at weaning was higher than that of other breeds. Usually it was not as prolific a breeder as the Large White and tended to be slightly fatter. In a study by Bunter and Bennett, progeny from a number of breeds and terminal sire lines were raised under the same conditions. The progeny were compared for growth, back fat, meat and eating quality traits. There were differences between breeds for some traits; however, there were also large differences between progeny groups of sires within a breed. This demonstrates that breeders and producers must consider between-breed differences and differences between animals within a breed.

CHICKENS White Leghorn (layer)

The White Leghorn is originally from Tuscany, Italy and is one of the most prolific layers as it lays a large white egg almost every day. These birds are active and intelligent and bear confinement well. Their bodies are covered in long, brilliantly white plumage and they have a single red comb on their heads and are non-crested. Characteristics The White Leghorn is relatively small in size with an average weight of 6-7 pounds. Their feet are not feathered and they possess four toes, like most chickens. White Leghorns are among the most popular commercial strains of layer chickens worldwide. Pure bred Leghorn varieties are less common. Both the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA) recognize a number of Leghorn varieties including white, red, black tailed red, light brown, dark brown, black, blue, buff, Columbian, buff Columbian, barred, exchequer and silver. Most have single combs but there are several colour varieties that have rose combs. Leghorns are excellent layers of white eggs (around 280 per year) with a superior feed-to-egg conversion ratio. Leghorns rarely exhibit broodiness and are thus well suited for uninterrupted egg laying. The Leghorn is a light breed that matures quickly to only 3 or 4 lbs and is not considered a viable meat producer. Leghorns are active and efficient foragers. They typically avoid human contact and tend to be nervous and flighty. Due to their prolific egg-laying, they are preferred by laboratories for embryonic and avian biological research as well as being the number one breed used for large-scale commercial egg production in the United States. Leghorns are noisy birds, and somewhat smaller than other breeds. However, they are larger in size than the Bantam.
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Cornish (broiler)

The Cornish, known as the Indian Game in its native country of England, is a breed of chicken originating in the county of Cornwall. Cornish chickens, as well as crosses of Cornishes, are the most-used breed in the chicken meat industry. They are heavy, muscular birds that lay eggs poorly, and require substantial amounts of feed. It is a large, stocky breed, and is often crossed with other breeds to enhance meat production. There are two varieties, the Cornish Game and the Jubilee Cornish Game. The Cornish Game is dark blue - green in colour, with brown patterning on the hens. Jubilee Cornish Game is much lighter, and less stocky than their counterparts. They are usually light wheaten in colour, with light brown patterning. The Indian game, also known as Cornish, is sometimes called the bulldog among chickens; you can actually see the roast chicken shape in it. It was created because people wanted to cross the Asian game breeds with old English game to create a fantastic fighter. However what they got (though not the right build for fighting) was a fantastic meat bird. It comes in many colours and is quite a popular show bird, though it has a tendency for
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bad legs due to widely spaced hips. It is also when crossed with a Sussex or a Dorking, an excellent backyard meat bird.

Characteristics Considered as the ultimate meat bird, the Cornish have a broad, well-muscled body and widely spaced legs. The standard weight for the cock is 10 pounds, for the hen, 8 pounds, for the cockerel 8 pounds and for the pullet 6 pounds. This bird has yellow skin that is covered with short, closely-held white feathers that may expose the skin in some areas. It has deep-set eyes, projecting brows and a strong, slightly curved beak, which gives it somewhat of a cruel expression. The eggs produced by Cornish are brown, but due to its poor fertility and low egg production, it is not used as a layer, but rather, as a broiler. These chickens were developed in the shire county of Cornwall England where they were known as Indian Games. They were prized for their large proportion of white meat and also for the fine texture of their meat.

GOATS Anglo-Nubian

The Anglo-Nubian, sometimes simply called the Nubian, is a breed of domestic goat. The breed was developed in Great Britain of native milking stock and goats from the Middle East and North Africa. Its distinguishing characteristics include large, pendulous ears and a "Roman" nose. Due to their MiddleEastern heritage, Anglo-Nubians can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats. Considered a dairy or dualpurpose breed, Anglo-Nubians are known for the high butterfat content of their milk, although on average, the breed produces less volume of milk than other dairy breeds. Characteristics Anglo-Nubians are large, with does weighing at least 135 lb. (61 kg.) and 175 lb. (79 kg) for bucks. The minimum height of the breed, measured at the withers, is 30 inches (76 cm) for does and 35 inches (88 cm) for bucks. Like most dairy goats, they are normally kept hornless by disbudding within approximately two weeks of birth. The typical Nubian goat is large in size and carries more flesh than other dairy breeds. The Nubian breed standard specifies large size, markings can be any colour, the ears are long, pendulous and floppy and the nose is Roman. The Nubian temperament is sociable, outgoing, and vocal. Because of its elongated ears and sleek body, the Nubian is occasionally nicknamed the "Lop-Eared Goat" or "Greyhound Goat". According to the American Dairy Goat Association the Nubian goat should be a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of mixed Asian, African, and European origin, known for high quality, high butterfat, milk production. The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex (Roman nose). The ears are long (extending at least one inch [2.54cm] beyond the muzzle when held flat
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along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a "bell" shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy. Any colour or colours, solid or patterned, is acceptable. The Nubian's size makes it a very useful dual purpose animal. The Nubian breed leads the way for the dairy breeds in butterfat production: it produces on average, 5% or more butterfat content. This is surpassed only by the Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy goat and Boer goat breeds, which are less likely to be used for large scale milk production, as for a dairy or cheese goat. Nubian goats are goats.

SHEEP Barbados Black belly

Characteristics The Barbados Black belly has a complete covering of medium to thick-hair (no wool) that sheds in the spring. Their coats may be all shades of brown, tan or yellow, all are highlighted with contrasting black under parts extending down the inside of the legs. Black points are found on the nose and forehead, and the inside of the ears are black as well. Rams have a neckpiece of thick hair which extends down the neck to the brisket; some may cover to the shoulder. Their heads are medium in size and well in conformation to the neck and body. There is a slight tendency to a roman nose, especially in the ram. The ears point forward from the side, and they should not droop. Both sexes of the Barbados Black belly are polled. Their necks are medium in length, slender in conformation to body size. Rams are heavier and well set to the shoulder. The body of the sheep is fairly deep with well-sprung ribs. There is a fair width of back and loin, but a very deficient hindquarter (similar to a goat's). The rump is quite steep from the hips to the pin bones and the tail is set very low. The sheeps legs are "Leggy", and generally are quite well set. In general appearance, mainly at a distance, these sheep resemble small deer or antelope. They are very active and lively. They are alert at all times. Compared to the more recognized "mutton type", Barbados Black belly sheep are less "squatty" and are slower growing.

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Conclusion
After completing this assignment, I have been greatly enlightened about the breeds of livestock that I have researched. I have come to the realization that each breed is different from the others of their type.

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Bibliography
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/americanlandrace/index.htm http://german-livestock-export.com/holstein-breed-description.htm http://www.theleghornclub.com http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/barbadosblackbelly/index.htm

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