Milking Shorthorn or Dutch Belted—Which breed is best?

Why do we like both of these breeds?

We often hear from farmers studying the different breeds available, and they ask us which breed we prefer. We are partial to both Milking Shorthorns and Dutch Belted, and we do not prefer one over the other, for each have their strengths and weaknesses.

grazing Aug 2012 002 Both of our breeds are virtually free of metabolic disorders (such as milk fever and ketosis) common to higher-producing breeds. Frequent and trouble-free calving, mobility (great feet and leg structure), moderate size (between the size of Holsteins and Jerseys) for lower maintenance requirements, and longevity (largely because of their reproductive efficiency), are the traits we appreciate most about both breeds. They can carry enough flesh to outwinter in good shape.

Comparing Dutch Belted and Milking Shorthorns

Our family has been breeding Milking Shorthorns since 1936, and Dutch Belted since 1981, so we have had a chance to become very well-versed in their various traits and how best to mate them. Here are some trends we have observed in our decades working with both breeds. 44 and calf

Dutch Belted cows are the earliest maturing and the most fertile of our two breeds. They breed young and breed back well, very often with a less than 12-month calving interval. They are a little smaller than our Milking Shorthorns, and generally may not milk quite as heavily. Udder quality is excellent, with usually very little edema at freshening.

Our Milking Shorthorns are a little larger and easier-fleshing than the Dutch Belted, and on the average may milk more, especially in response to a little grain, though they also do well on a no-grain system. The Milking Shorthorn steers and cull cows are higher yielding and thus higher value. max 1

We have quite a few polled Milking Shorthorns, whereas the polled trait is not typically seen in the Dutch Belted breed, though we do now have one polled Dutch Belted bull. (Polled means naturally without horns.)

The breeds also differ in temperament. The Dutch Belted are spirited and smart, quite active and usually the leaders of the herd due to their curious nature. Milking Shorthorns are a little more mild and laid back, usually. When someone contacts us looking for a family cow, I usually recommend a Milking Shorthorn for these reasons.

There are very few breeders of purebred Dutch Belted. Our herd is one of only a handful that even raise and collect sires for A.I. Milking Shorthorns are more available, and most studs have a few sires on their lists. However, as you may know, the Milking Shorthorn breed association has long had a “genetic expansion” program, which allows use of other dairy breeds, predominantly Red Holstein, with animals up to 25% other breed blood accepted in the herd book. Many of the bulls offered by commercial studs will have some of this outside blood.

Also, mainstream Milking Shorthorn breeders are not generally selecting intensively for the traditional strength and capacity that we need for a grazing system. Rather, most are going more for the extreme sharp and dairy type. The show ring and milk records (without regard for feed and veterinary inputs) often drive their mating choices. This creates a real problem for those of you turning to Milking Shorthorns for an alternative to Holsteins. That is why we offer heritage Milking Shorthorn genetics that are more adapted to grass dairying. Width, substance, body capacity, sound feet and legs, along with snug long-lasting udders, are vitally important to us.

We do not claim to have the only cattle that are suited to grass dairying in North America, but we, and many others using our genetics, have found these bloodlines serve very well by efficiently converting pasture to milk and meat at a low cost and without a lot of trouble.

15 Comments

Maarten van der Meijden on July 14, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Hello, very interesting to read your story. I am a dutch dairy farmer and thinking to start crossing dutch belted sire to my holstein herd. I have a grass based dairy farm, what production can i expect with the Dutch Belted? Thanks so far.
Greetings
Maarten van der Meijden
NIEUWOLDA Netherlands

Martha Hoffman on August 1, 2020 at 1:31 am

Milk production depends on a lot of factors like feed, genetics, climate, etc. so it’s hard to put a figure on it. Purebred American Dutch Belted can give 10,000-15,000 pounds on a grass-based diet. They aren’t going to compete with a Holstein for milk production, but they excel in fertility and longevity and shine in grass-based milk production.
Evert Kampert on February 24, 2021 at 6:07 pm

Hello you may want to contact Reurt Boelema in the Netherlands, he can provide you with information about Lakenvelder breeders in Holland. His number is 353874073700

Bob Nervig on July 31, 2020 at 11:28 pm

I am looking for cow for our acreage in central Iowa. I don’t plan to milk this cow. I am thinking of a docile Shorthorn…bred for a spring calf ( not too early). Roan or red and white. More the dual type cow. I would probably be looking at purchasing a cow late September or early October. What is your price range for a cow like I have described. Do you milk all of your Shorthorn cows or are some just raising a calf?

Martha Hoffman on August 1, 2020 at 1:22 am

Good to hear from you! Sending you an email.

Paul on August 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Hi
I’m looking for two young heifers. Would you have any available at this time

Martha Hoffman on August 28, 2020 at 3:31 am

Good to hear from you, Paul! I sent you an email.

Joella Smith on November 11, 2020 at 3:54 pm

How many grazing acres would one need for a cow and calf ?

Martha Hoffman on December 1, 2020 at 1:28 am

This can depend on a lot of factors, like rotational vs. continuous grazing, type of forage, and region. In our area, we allow two acres per cow for pasture and for winter hay. If purchasing hay, one acre per cow is a good ballpark.

Annamarie Peterson on May 24, 2021 at 8:12 pm

Hello from Montana! I’m in the research and planning stage of opening a grass-fed micro-dairy on our ranch. I’m trying to decide what breed would be a good fit for our needs and so far, I’m stuck between these wonderful Dutch Belteds, and the heritage-bred (grass-fed genetics) Jerseys.

I have kept Jerseys (but none that keep on grass) and enjoy their size, personality, and cream percent in milk. I know nothing of the Dutch Belted other than what I’ve read but something about them keeps me coming back trying to learn more! I would potentially like to bring home a Dutch Belted cow to learn first-hand about what they’re like, and compare how they perform against a grass-fed Jersey. Do you have anything for sale? Thanks for the wonderful work you’re doing!

Martha Hoffman on July 13, 2021 at 8:33 pm

Hello, Annamarie! Sending you an email to talk more.

Ross on June 15, 2022 at 12:27 pm

Hello from Ireland. We served our first Holstein Friesian cow to Lakenvelder (Dutch Belted) yesterday, we have another few straws to use for this season. Do you export straws to the EU? I am already looking forward to next Spring!

Martha Hoffman on August 16, 2022 at 4:34 pm

Unfortunately our EU qualified semen is sold out. Best of luck with your Lakenvelder calves!

Keri Moore on December 19, 2023 at 5:46 pm

Can you send me some more information on the process of reserving one of your calves. I am looking for a milking shorthorn heifer for my daughters to show in 4H. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Martha Hoffman on January 25, 2024 at 12:24 am

Hello, Keri! Sending you an email.

Maarten van der Meijden on July 14, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Hello, very interesting to read your story. I am a dutch dairy farmer and thinking to start crossing dutch belted sire to my holstein herd. I have a grass based dairy farm, what production can i expect with the Dutch Belted? Thanks so far.
Greetings
Maarten van der Meijden
NIEUWOLDA Netherlands
- Martha Hoffman on August 1, 2020 at 1:31 am
  
  Milk production depends on a lot of factors like feed, genetics, climate, etc. so it’s hard to put a figure on it. Purebred American Dutch Belted can give 10,000-15,000 pounds on a grass-based diet. They aren’t going to compete with a Holstein for milk production, but they excel in fertility and longevity and shine in grass-based milk production.
- Evert Kampert on February 24, 2021 at 6:07 pm
  
  Hello you may want to contact Reurt Boelema in the Netherlands, he can provide you with information about Lakenvelder breeders in Holland. His number is 353874073700
Bob Nervig on July 31, 2020 at 11:28 pm

I am looking for cow for our acreage in central Iowa. I don’t plan to milk this cow. I am thinking of a docile Shorthorn…bred for a spring calf ( not too early). Roan or red and white. More the dual type cow. I would probably be looking at purchasing a cow late September or early October. What is your price range for a cow like I have described. Do you milk all of your Shorthorn cows or are some just raising a calf?
- Martha Hoffman on August 1, 2020 at 1:22 am
  
  Good to hear from you! Sending you an email.
Paul on August 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Hi
I’m looking for two young heifers. Would you have any available at this time
- Martha Hoffman on August 28, 2020 at 3:31 am
  
  Good to hear from you, Paul! I sent you an email.
Joella Smith on November 11, 2020 at 3:54 pm

How many grazing acres would one need for a cow and calf ?
- Martha Hoffman on December 1, 2020 at 1:28 am
  
  This can depend on a lot of factors, like rotational vs. continuous grazing, type of forage, and region. In our area, we allow two acres per cow for pasture and for winter hay. If purchasing hay, one acre per cow is a good ballpark.
Annamarie Peterson on May 24, 2021 at 8:12 pm

Hello from Montana! I’m in the research and planning stage of opening a grass-fed micro-dairy on our ranch. I’m trying to decide what breed would be a good fit for our needs and so far, I’m stuck between these wonderful Dutch Belteds, and the heritage-bred (grass-fed genetics) Jerseys.

I have kept Jerseys (but none that keep on grass) and enjoy their size, personality, and cream percent in milk. I know nothing of the Dutch Belted other than what I’ve read but something about them keeps me coming back trying to learn more! I would potentially like to bring home a Dutch Belted cow to learn first-hand about what they’re like, and compare how they perform against a grass-fed Jersey. Do you have anything for sale? Thanks for the wonderful work you’re doing!
- Martha Hoffman on July 13, 2021 at 8:33 pm
  
  Hello, Annamarie! Sending you an email to talk more.
Ross on June 15, 2022 at 12:27 pm

Hello from Ireland. We served our first Holstein Friesian cow to Lakenvelder (Dutch Belted) yesterday, we have another few straws to use for this season. Do you export straws to the EU? I am already looking forward to next Spring!
- Martha Hoffman on August 16, 2022 at 4:34 pm
  
  Unfortunately our EU qualified semen is sold out. Best of luck with your Lakenvelder calves!
Keri Moore on December 19, 2023 at 5:46 pm

Can you send me some more information on the process of reserving one of your calves. I am looking for a milking shorthorn heifer for my daughters to show in 4H. I look forward to hearing back from you.
- Martha Hoffman on January 25, 2024 at 12:24 am
  
  Hello, Keri! Sending you an email.

15 Comments

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