Dairy Industry Facts
- Cows have four stomachs; they are a ruminant.
- Cows are herbivores. Therefore, they have no top teeth and flat bottom teeth for grinding their food.
- A cow becames a mature animal at two years-of-age, when she typically has her first calf.
- The average life span of a cow is 6-7 years old, but they can live well into their teens.
- Milk contains nine essential nutrients that we need to maintain healthy bodies.
- Jersey cows are the smallest dairy breed. However, their milk contains the highest levels of proteins and solids.
- Whole milk is just 3.25% fat; it is therefore 96.75% fat free.
- A mature cow eats 100 lbs. of feed a day and drinks 30-40 gallons of water a day.
- Cows have a baby once a year to keep producing milk.
- Cows get pedicures about twice a year to keep their hooves shaped properly and healthy.
- Calves get vaccinations just like children to keep them healthy and prevent them from getting diseases.
- Family farms account for 98% of the farms in the United States.
- Farmers make up less than 2% of the population.
- New York ranks third in the nation for milk production.
- The United States has the cheapest food in the world. On average, just 10% of our income is spent on food.
The Jersey Cow and Jersey Milk
Jersey milk averages 13% more protein and 16% more calcium than average milk, resulting in a richer-tasting, more nutritious product. The smaller body size of the Jersey cow and their nutrient-dense milk also makes the Jersey more sustainable for cheese production.
For more information on the Jersey cow, click here.
For more information on Jersey milk, including the Queen of Quality® and All-Jersey® trademarks, click here.
To learn more about dairy sustainability and Jersey advantages, click here.