Top Eighteen Best Milk Producing Cattle Breeds in the World

Of the more than 800 cattle breeds all over the world, not all are good producers of milk. Many breeds are raised for beef production and many breeds are raised for milk production or both. Here are the best cattle breeds that produce more milk – the world's highest production dairy animals.

1. Holstein

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• Milk Production: 11,800 kilograms per year
• Other name/s: Holstein-Friesian Cattle or Friesian Cattle
• Origin: North Holland and Friesland - Netherlands
• Distinction: It is the highest production dairy animal in the world.

The current National Holstein milk production leader is Ever-Green-View My 1326-ET EX-92. This amazing milk producing or dairy cattle produced 32,740 kg of milk in 365 days attaining her world record in February 2010.

2. Norwegian Red

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• Milk Production:  10,000 kilogram per year
• Other name/s: NRF
• Origin: Norway
• Distinction: This hardy cattle breed is well known for the richness of its milk
• Weight: 600 kilograms

3. Kostroma Cattle Breed

• Milk Production:  10,000 kilograms per year
• Origin: Kostroma Oblast, Russia
• Distinction: This long-lived cattle breed has a lifespan of 25 years.

4. Brown Swiss

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• Milk Production: 9,000 kilogram per year
• Origin: Switzerland
• Distinction: Its milk is famous in the cheese production.

5. Swedish Red Cattle

• Milk Production: 8000 kilograms per year
• Other name/s: Swedish Red-and-White Cattle
• Origin: Sweden
• Distinction: This cattle breed is known for its robust structure and longevity.
• Height: 140cm
• Weight: 600 kg

6. Ayrshire Cattle

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• Milk Production: 7,831 kilograms per year
• Other name/s: Dunlop Cattle
• Origin: Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
• Distinction: It is a strong breed and easy to raise.
• Weight: 600 kg

7. Angeln Cattle

• Milk Production: 7570 kg
• Origin: Angeln, Schleswig-Holtein
• Distinction: This dairy cow is well known for the high milkfat level of its milk.

8. Guernsey

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• Milk Production:  7363 kilogram
• Origin:  Guernsey, UK
• Distinction: It produces the highest percentage of A2 milk of all breeds of dairy cattle.

9. Milking Shorthorn

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• Milk Production: 7,000 kilograms per year
• Other name/s: Dairy Shorthorn
• Origin: Great Britain
• Distinction: This cattle breed is all-red, red with white markings, all-white, or red roan.
• Height: 140 cm
• Weight: 680 kilogram

10. Pie Rouge des Plaines

• Milk Production: 6900 kg per year
• Other name/s: Lowland Red Pied Cattle
• Origin: France
• Distinction: Its meat is better in quality and quantities than Holstein cattle.
• Height: 138cm
• Weight: 700 kilograms

11. French Simmental

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• Milk Production:  6,400 kilograms per year
• Origin: France
• Distinction: The cow’s milk is used for AOC cheeses
• Height: 140 cm
• Weight: 700 kilograms

12. Blaarkop

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• Milk Production: 6000 kg
• Origin: Gronigen, Netherlands
• Distinction: This cattle breed is well known for its muscular built.
• Height: 140 cm
• Weight: 600 kilograms

13. Abondance

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• Milk Production: 5,700 kilograms per year
• Origin:  Haute-Savoie Valley, France
• Distinction: This cow’s milk is rich in protein and fat which is used in cheese making.
• Height: 130 cm
• Weight: 680 kilograms

14. Pinzgauer Cattle

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• Milk Production: 5356 kilograms per year
• Origin: Pingzau, Salzburg in Austria
• Distinction: It is an endangered cattle breed
• Height: 137 cm
• Weight: 700 kg

15. Murnau-Werdenfels Cattle 

• Milk Production: 4,300 kilograms per year
• Origin: Bavaria, Germany
• Distinction:  Both bulls and steers of this endangered breed is used for beef production
• Height: 130 cm
• Weight: 600 kg

16. Dutch Belted

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• Milk Production: 9,000 kilograms per lactation/ average 4,080 kilograms
•  Other name/s: Lakenvelder
•  Origin: Netherlands
•  Distinction: This rare breed is highly prized for its milking and fattening abilities

17. Northern Finncattle

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• Milk Production: 4,000 kilograms per lactation
•  Origin: Finland
•  Distinction: This dairy and beef cattle produces quality milk protein which is best for manufacturing.

18. Kerry Cattle

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• Milk Production: 3,700 kg per year
•  Origin: Ireland
•  Distinction: One of the oldest breeds in Europe. Its milk is ideal for ice-cream making.
•  Weight: 400 kilograms