6. Jersey
The Jersey cow, from the Channel Island of the same name, may be the most popular family cow. It has a long lifespan and is an efficient milk producer, trumping the rival Holstein in ratios of feed to milk. Jersey cows weigh far less than most other dairy breeds — about 1,000 pounds fully grown — making them an ideal size for smaller properties and children. Their milk is among the highest in protein and butterfat content out of all breeds. If it sounds like they should be higher up the list, here’s the catch: Jersey cows have unpredictable temperaments that likely won’t suit families with very young children.
