Important dairy breeds of cattle in Kenya

Friesian

The Friesian cow originated in the Netherlands and are most quickly recognized by their distinctive black and white color markings and outstanding milk production. They are docile in temperament making them easy to handle. However, the animals are heavy feeders owing to their big body weight.

Friesians are large animals with color patterns of black and white or red and white. A healthy Friesian calf weighs 40 Kg or more at birth. A mature Friesian cow weighs about 700 Kg and stand 150 cm tall at the shoulder.

Friesian heifers can be bred at 15 months of age, when they weigh about 360 Kg. It is desirable to have Friesian females calve for the first time between 24 and 27 months of age. While some cows may live considerably longer, the normal productive life of a Friesian cow is six years.

The average milk production for a Friesian cow is 7800 Kg of milk per lactation. Milk production can go as high as 10,000 Kg in a year with butterfat content ranging between 3.5 to 3.7%. 

Friesians and their crossbreeds are predominant in Kenya particularly in Central Kenya and Central Rift Valley. The farms where they can be found include:

1. Manera (Delamere Estates), Naivasha
2. KARI Naivasha, PO Box 25 Naivasha
3. KAR Lanet, PO Box 1275, Nakuru
4. Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Katuke Complex, PO Box 1392-30200 Kitale
5. Makongi Farm, PO Box 1320-30100 Eldoret
6. Kisima Farm, PO Box 19- 20107 Njoro
7. Gogar Farm PO Box 6-201080 Rongai
8. University of Nairobi Farm PO Box 29053-10202 Kabete
9. Sanctuary Farm PO Box 244-20177 Naivasha
10. Marimba Farm PO Box 32 Meru
11. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
12. Gicheha Farm, PO Box 236 Ruiru
 

Aryshire

The Ayrshire breed originated from Scotland. Aryshire is an efficient grazer noted for her vigor and efficiency in milk production. The cow is especially noted for the superior shape and quality of her udder. The composition of her milk makes her suitable for the production of butter and cheese.

Purebred Ayrshires only produce red and white offspring.
They are medium in size and weigh over 540 Kg at maturity, mostly ranging from 450 to 600 Kg. They are efficient grazers, adapted to all management systems and are not subject to excessive foot and leg problems. Ayrshire cattle do better under pasture conditions compared to the other major dairy breeds. When pastures are poor, they need fewer supplements to keep them in good condition. These traits make Ayrshires outstanding commercial dairy cattle.

Under good management and feeding practices the average milk production is 5400 Kg with a 3.9% test to as high as 7800 Kg of milk per lactation. Top producing Ayrshires elsewhere in the world regularly exceed 9000 Kg of milk in their lactations. The current world record for Ayrshire is 16,860 Kg of milk in a year.

Farms keeping Ayrshire in Kenya (officially registered):

1. Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Katuke Complex, PO Box 1392-30200 Kitale
2. Makongi Farm, PO Box 1320-30100 Eldoret
3. Kisima Farm, PO Box 19- 20107 Njoro
4. Gogar Farm PO Box 6-201080 Rongai
5. ADC Lanet Farm PO B0x 1124-20100 Nakuru
6. University of Nairobi Farm PO Box 29053-10202 Kabete
7. Moi University Farm PO Box 30900-30100 Eldoret
8. Loruk Farm PO Box 104-10400 Nanyuki
9. Waunyomu Ngeke Ranch PO Box 236-00232 Ruiru
10. Sanctury Farm PO Box 244-20177 Naivasha
11. Marimba Farm PO Box 32 Meru
12. KARI Ol Joro Orok Private Bag 20302 Ol Joro Orok
13. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
14. Sunset Farm PO Box 13366-20100 Nakuru
15. Limuru Agricultural Youth Centre PO Box 30496 Nairobi

Guernsey

The Guernsey is medium weight cattle that originated from England. The cow is known for producing high quality milk while consuming 20 to 30 percent less feed per kilogram of milk produced compared to larger dairy breeds. They are also known for having a lower projected calving interval and have a younger average age of first calf heifers than the larger breeds. Their lack of any known undesirable genetic recessives and their adaptability to warmer climates makes them very attractive to commercial dairy farmers.

The Guernsey is also an excellent grazer. She is a cow that is made for pasture-based milk production. Because of her grazing abilities, gentle disposition, calving ease and ability to efficiently produce milk with less feed than other breeds, she is the ideal candidate for intensive grazing. Dairy producers can realize her profit potential while reducing management costs.

Average milk production for the breed is 6650 Kg of milk per lactation.

Farms keeping Guernsey in Kenya (options):

1. Egerton University, PO Box 356, Njoro
2. ADC Lanet Farm PO B0x 1124-20100 Nakuru
3. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
4. Gicheha Farm, PO Box 236 Ruiru
 

Jersey

The Jersey breed originated from the Island of Jersey of England. The Jersey cows weigh about 450 Kg on average making them the smallest dairy breed in size. The breed was regarded very favorably because of its milk and butterfat production.

Jerseys have a wide range of color. The color in Jerseys may vary from a very light gray or mouse color to a very dark fawn or a shade that is almost black.

The breed is adaptable to a wide range of climatic and geographical conditions. They are excellent grazers and perform well in intensive grazing programs. They are more tolerant to heat than the larger breeds. With its diminutive size the Jersey produces more milk per body weight than any other breed.

Usually deep in the body cows have long, straight top lines. Jersey cows are usually docile and rather easy to manage.

Under optimum conditions the average milk production is about 6800 Kg of milk in a 305 day period.

Read more about new breed of dairy cattle that was introduced into the country just recently and which is appearing to become very popular. 

A few contacts/farms where Jersey can be found in Kenya are:

1. OlEndeti (Grammaticas) Nairobi, Tel-2067686
2. Ololua Farm (Carol Rees) PO Box 21007 Nairobi, Tel-891015
3. Ontulele (Biddy Davis) Nairobi Tel-891518)
4. Ol Donyo (Tara Llewelyn) PO Box 111 Nanyuki
5. Rawhide (Janet Mills) Nakuru 051-343005
6. ADC Sabwani Complex, PO Box 680 Kitale