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Has a family milk cow been a goal for your homestead? Have you dreamed of pouring rich, creamy milk from your cow into your morning coffee? There are dozens of breeds to choose from. What are the best dairy cow breeds for the homestead focus? 

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Homestead Goals

First friends, we need to discuss your homestead goals. Do you want milk just for your family or are you planning on selling raw milk and dairy products to those in your community?

Therefore, the answer to these two questions will greatly determine what type of milk cow you should bring to the homestead.

A simple family milk cow doesn’t have to be a big producer because a heavy producer may overwhelm you with the amount of milk she puts out. 

For instance, our current milk cow produces two gallons a day. The 14 gallons a week provides our family with a gallon of yogurt, quark to last us for a week (we use this as sour cream and cream cheese), and a nice 3 to 4-pound wheel of cheese. 

However, if you want to sell raw milk, you’ll likely want a higher-producing cow. 

We had dairy cows producing 6 to 8 gallons daily. These cows supplied our home with milk for personal consumption and dairy products. We also sold the excess milk to those in our community. 

What Dairy Breeds to Consider?

Across the globe, particularly within the United States, several breeds are available for homesteaders. While breed characteristics offer a helpful starting point, it’s crucial to remember that each cow is an individual. Temperament, ease of handling, and even milk characteristics can vary within a breed. What may be typical for the breed may not always be true for the individual cow you bring home.

We have had several breeds throughout the years. Here are my top choices for the best dairy cow breeds for the homestead focus.

Jersey Milk Cows

Jersey cows are probably the most iconic breed within the homestead community. The deep brown eyes and the dark tips at the ears are reminiscent of days gone by – when most Americans kept a family cow.

What makes the Jersey breed such a popular choice? Jerseys are the second most popular breed throughout the world. The breed is known for rich, creamy milk with a high butterfat content (around 5% butterfat compared to about 4% in Holsteins). Their milk is great for making cheese, ice cream, and butter.

The Jersey cow is one of the smaller framed breeds and generally requires less feed intake compared to a larger breed, like a Brown Swiss, which can save on hay and pasture resources.

Every Jersey we have owned has been full of personality. They have been more friendly and outgoing than other breeds, which brings me joy.

A downfall of the Jersey is that they could be prone to metabolic issues like milk fever or ketosis. The breed seems a bit more frail than a heavier type of cow. Also, Jerseys are less of a dual-purpose breed. Since they’re usually smaller framed, they don’t yield as much meat for the homesteader.

The Golden Guernsey

Guernsey cows are renowned for their rich, golden milk due to the high beta-carotene content naturally found in Guernsey milk. The Guernseys are bigger than the Jerseys but not as large as Holsteins. They have a good feed conversion rate and a large population of Guernsey cows are A2/A2. 

With their calm and docile nature, Guernseys are often very easy to handle, making them a great candidate for the homestead environment, especially for families. Their butterfat content is usually between 4.5% to 5% and is great for homemade dairy products. 

However, Guernseys can be difficult to find. The Guernsey is primarily a dairy breed and not used in many dual-purpose settings. 

Milking Shorthorns

If you are interested in a truly dual-purpose breed, offering both a reliable supply of milk and the potential for quality beef, the Milking Shorthorn may be perfect for your homestead.

These cows are known for their hardiness and calm temperament. They’re adaptable in various climates and forage conditions, which gives them an advantage on the homestead. 

The Milking Shorthorn may not produce as much as a standard Holstein, however, they have a respectable butterfat content of around 3.8%, on average. 

This breed can be hard to find as they’re less readily available in many areas. 

Brown Swiss Cows

The Brown Swiss breed is often referred to as gentle giants. This is a large-framed, hardy cow that is known to consistently produce high milk yields (5-9 gallons per day). Their butterfat content is generally around 4% and the Brown Swiss cows are known for their longevity in the parlor and the pasture, reducing your need for replacements. They are known for calving ease and produce a dual-purpose calf that will help fill your freezer. 

Because the Brown Swiss are so large, they can be harder on gates and equipment. They also require more feed and forage than a smaller framed breed. Depending on your location, they can be difficult to find.

Holstein Cows

The Holstein breed is the most common dairy breed throughout the world. Holsteins are large-framed cows and are known for their high milk production. The average Holstein produces over 8 gallons a day with a butterfat content of around 3.5% to 4%

I have been around some rank Holsteins that have required me to quickly jump a fence, but I have also had some calm Holsteins that were a pleasure to be near.

Holsteins do require more space and cost more to feed than a smaller framed breed. Their primary strength is milk production and the breed isn’t typically known as a dual-purpose animal. While dairy farmers love the high milk yields in the Holstein breeds, homesteaders with smaller families may be overwhelmed with the amount of milk a Holstein produces.

A Homesteader’s Honest Opinion

Remember that these characteristics are relative to the breed, but each animal is ultimately an individual. Find an animal that aligns with your production requirements and homestead goals. Before you commit to a purchase, I suggest reading this post and observing the animal in person. The book Keeping a Family Cow has been a great resource! 

Don’t buy a milk cow just based off of her breed. For instance, while the Brown Swiss breed is known for being gentle and calm, we had a heifer that was a nightmare to be around. She had a personal vendetta against anyone who dared to walk near her. Honestly, she was dangerous to have on the farm.

Holsteins are often overlooked by homesteaders because we have been told time and again that they don’t produce much butterfat. However, I’ve seen some amazing cream lines out of Holsteins that put my Jerseys to shame. 

What are the best dairy cow breeds for the homestead focus? Research which breed most closely aligns with your homestead goals. Don’t rule out other animals simply because of a stereotype. 

Be sure to join our Handmilked Community to receive the FREE Milk Cow Checklist, a great resource when purchasing a milk cow.

Share Your Experiences!

Have a question about selecting the perfect dairy cow for your homestead? Or maybe you have wisdom to share from your own experiences? Drop a comment below! Your questions can help others, and your insights are invaluable to our community.