Da 'Steins
Fan page dedicated to our Hazard, Nebraska Holsteins

The origin of Holstein cows can be traced back over 2,000 years to the north region of Holland. The traditional name of Holstein Friesian comes from the land of their beginnings. Friesland, a northern province of the Netherlands is credited with the formation of this breed. It is believed that migrating tribes with black cows along with tribes with white cows intermixed, and the breed was born. When first imported to the United States, they were called Dutch cows. An American reporter is said to have started the name Holstein-Friesian. The reason for including the name "Holstein" is uncertain. However, since early times this breed has dwelled in the northern German province of Schleswig-Holstein, near the offshore Friesian Islands.

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Drink your fluids: For milk production and personal maintenance, Holsteins drink 23 to 35 gallons of water daily. Along with the moisture in the feed, their daily total intake can exceed 40 gallons.	Say aaaah...: Holsteins demonstrate their long and flexible tongues. Getting licked by a 'stein is like getting rubbed by wet sandpaper. We really don't know why they sometimes lick our sleeves - or sniff our heads. But we consider the gesture right kin folk.	Grass - it's not just for breakfast: But it's a good morning start for this Holstein. She will spend six to eight hours grazing before her day is done. Cows prefer their grass to be at least 6" tall, and tend to avoid eating near cow pies, though droppings from other animals don't seem to bother them.
Gettin' giggy with cud: Holsteins like the one above aren't just catching rays. They take a load off to comfortably chew their cud, an activity that might consume eight hours of their day. As evident, they make a fashion statement while doing so.	Artistic expression: Beauty may only be skin deep, but 'steins know they're an individual expression of bovine art, as no two spot patterns are identical. Thus, despite the hot lights and cameras, they are never shy with the many photo ops we offer.	Sometimes black and white just captures the moment: As autumn leaves turn color along Hazard's rolling hills, the landscape wouldn't be complete without our 'steins giving it character.
Boys night out: This Holstein steer and his bachelor friends enjoy the nightlife, especially when the moon is full. As seen from the photo, they look handsome regardless of the hour - even when they first roll out of the sack at sunrise.	Say cheeese: Tips to getting Holstein portraits include letting them know you're coming. Their eyes & noses are much to keen to be approached unnoticed & no close-ups will be granted if you try. Offerings of fresh veggies & pleasant conversation will help curry their favor, & there's nothing more disarming than getting off your feet.	When bovines go bad: While most Holsteins employ the sniff  'n slobber method to explore human sightings in the pasture, sometimes an overly curious zealot will try to eat her way to a better understanding.
Towering presence: We're not certain if  'steins are impressed when we model our cow spot fashion wear - or when we tell them we're their biggest fans. But at least they always take time to ponder the notion.	Love is blindness: With an olfactory second to none, 'steins can raise their nozzle in the air to sniff the whereabouts of fresh water over the hill, - or detect what you had for breakfast.	At the end of the day, it all comes down to Holsteins: A view of our community can be seen in the background as sunset nears on this mild spring day in 2003.
We Got Cows	Share your Holstein sentiments on our community guestbook. email	*Cow and heifer photos are taken from a pasture west of Hazard. *Photos of the steers taken from a farm east of Hazard. all content © Hazard Home Page This site hosted by Nebraska Central Telephone Company