Farm Livestock Guide

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Cattle Guide

Holstein

Classic black-and-white dairy cow renowned for the highest milk volumes of any breed.

Jersey

Small, fawn-coloured dairy cow that produces milk exceptionally rich in butter-fat and protein.

Ayrshire

Hardy Scottish dairy breed (red-and-white) valued for efficient grazing and well-balanced milk solids.

Angus

Polled (naturally hornless) beef cattle prized for marbling and easy calving; dominant in branded “AAA/Prime” beef programs.

Hereford

Red body with white face; rugged, docile beef breed that finishes well on grass.

Charolais

Large, cream-coloured French beef breed used in terminal crosses for rapid weight gain.

Simmental

Dual-purpose European breed (red/white or solid black) valued for maternal traits and high weaning weights.

Shorthorn

Versatile red, roan or white cattle used as both beef and “dual-purpose” dairy-beef on family farms

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Equine Guide

Quarter Horse

Versatile North-American saddle horse revered for sprint speed and ranch work.

Thoroughbred

Tall, athletic racehorse that also excels in hunter-jumper and eventing circles.

Standardbred

Harness-racing breed equally popular for pleasure driving and trail riding once retired.

Clydesdale

Iconic feather-legged Scottish draft horse used in parades and small-scale logging.

Percheron

Massive French draft with stamina for farm demonstrations and carriage work.

Belgian

Heaviest of the drafts, frequently seen in competitive pulling events.

Shetland Pony

Sturdy children’s mount and petting-zoo favourite.

Welsh Pony

Athletic, kind-tempered pony type common in youth riding programs.

Donkeys & Mules

Sure-footed pack and guard animals; mules prized for hybrid strength and stamina.

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Goat Guide

Saanen

Large white Swiss goat nicknamed the “Holstein of goats” for top milk volume and calm nature.

Alpine

Multi-coloured mountain breed producing flavorful milk with good butter-fat.

LaMancha

Distinctive “gopher” ears; renowned for high milk solids and friendly temperament.

Nubian

Long-eared, Roman-nosed goats giving very high-butter-fat milk ideal for cheese.

Toggenburg

Swiss brown-and-white breed valued for steady lactations and cold-weather hardiness.

Boer

South-African meat goat with white body and red head; cornerstone of Ontario’s goat-meat sector.

Kiko

New-Zealand meat breed bred for low-input, parasite-resistant pasture performance.

Spanish (“brush”) Goat

Tough, small-frame meat goat used in crossbreeding for ruggedness and ease of kidding.

Angora

Produces lustrous mohair fibre harvested twice yearly.

Cashmere-type Goats

Mixed-breed goats selectively combed for fine down used in luxury textiles.

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Poultry Guide

Chicken Guide

Leghorn

Lightweight white layer famed for high egg count and feed efficiency.

ISA Brown

Hybrid brown-egg layer noted for adaptability to both cage-free and barn systems.

Ross 308 / Cobb 500

Fast-growing commercial broiler lines reaching market weight in ~6–7 weeks.

Turkey Guide

Broad-Breasted White

Industry standard meat bird bred for a large breast and feed conversion.

Heritage Bronze

Old-fashioned bronze-feathered turkey prized for flavour, smaller frame and hardiness.

Waterfowl & Game Birds Guide

Pekin Duck

White, rapid-growing duck delivering mild-flavoured meat for Asian and deli markets.

Muscovy Duck

Black-and-white duck with lean, beef-like meat and strong foraging ability.

Embden Goose

Large white goose raised for holiday roasts and weed control in orchards.

Toulouse Goose

Grey, heavy European goose valued for foie gras and down.

Ring-necked Pheasant

Vibrant game bird farmed for hunt preserves and restaurant supply.

Coturnix Quail

Small quail maturing in six weeks, supplying gourmet eggs and boneless carcasses.

Other Guide

Guinea Fowl

Speckled African bird acting as insect control and yielding dark, gamey meat.

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Rabbit Guide

New Zealand

White or red meat rabbit that reaches 2 kg in 8–10 weeks.

Californian

White with black points; meat breed known for feed efficiency and dense fur.

Flemish Giant

One of the largest breeds; dual-purpose meat/pet with gentle disposition.

Rex

Short, plush “velvet” fur used in high-quality pelts as well as for meat.

Angora Rabbit

Produces long, silky fibre plucked or sheared for hand-spun yarns.

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Sheep Guide

Dorset

White-faced meat breed that can lamb out of season, suiting year-round production.

Suffolk

Black-faced terminal sire breed dominating Ontario’s Easter-lamb and heavy-lamb markets.

Rideau Arcott

Canadian composite bred for prolific twinning and rapid gains; popular in accelerated systems.

Texel

Dutch, heavy-muscled breed prized for lean, high-yield carcasses.

Romney

Dual-purpose long-wool sheep tolerant of wet pastures; also crosses well for grass-fed lamb.

Katahdin

Hair sheep that sheds naturally and thrives without shearing; strong parasite resistance.

Icelandic

Triple-purpose (milk, meat, fibre) heritage sheep sought by homesteaders for hardiness and fine-themed fleece colours.

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Swine Guide

Yorkshire

Large white sow line known for litter size and mothering ability; backbone of commercial herds.

Landrace

Long-bodied white breed that passes on excellent milking and high lean-meat yields.

Duroc

Red, fast-growing terminal sire breed famed for feed efficiency and juicy, dark-red pork.

Berkshire

Heritage black pig with white points; celebrated for richly flavoured, well-marbled meat.

Tamworth

Ginger-coloured, hardy outdoor breed ideal for pasture pork and charcuterie markets.

Mangalitsa & other pastured heritage pigs

Woolly-coated or rare lines grown for specialty charcuterie and niche restaurant demand.

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Alternative and Niche Livestock Guide

Beefalo

Cattle–bison hybrid providing lean beef with improved fertility over pure bison.

Water Buffalo (River-type)

Milk high in butter-fat for artisanal mozzarella and gelato; some raised for lean meat.

Plains Bison

North-American buffalo producing lean, iron-rich red meat under game-farm regulations.

Elk (Wapiti)

Raised for premium venison, velvet antler nutraceuticals and agritourism.

White-tailed Deer

Native cervid farmed cautiously for venison and velvet under CWD biosecurity rules.

Red Deer

European deer larger than white-tails; docile temperament for venison farms.

Fallow Deer

Spotted, palmate-antlered deer valued for mild-flavoured meat.

Alpaca (Huacaya & Suri)

Camelid producing fine, hypo-allergenic fleece; also a star in farm-visit experiences.

Llama

Taller camelid used as a guardian for sheep flocks and for packing on hiking treks.

Mink

Semi-aquatic carnivore farmed for glossy pelts sold via international fur auctions.

Fox (Silver, Arctic, Red colour phases)

Bred under license for specialty fur demand.

Ostrich

Africa’s giant ratite yielding red, low-fat meat and durable leather.

Emu

Australian ratite farmed for omega-rich oil, lean meat and decorative eggshells.

Rhea

South-American cousin of ostrich grown in small hobby flocks for meat and feathers.

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

Managed in Langstroth or flow hives for pollination and honey; vital to fruit & vegetable sectors.

Rainbow Trout

Cold-water salmonid grown in net-pens on Georgian Bay and in land-based recirculating systems.

Arctic Char

Cold-tolerant char raised in recirculating tanks for premium fillets.

Tilapia (Nile & Blue)

Warm-water fish cultured indoors for local “fresh never frozen” markets.

Yak & Yak-cross

Hardy bovine producing lean meat and fine down; small experimental herds.

Reindeer

Scandinavian caribou managed for Christmas display gigs and small-batch venison.

Muskox

Arctic ungulate trialed for luxurious qiviut fibre; extremely limited numbers in Ontario.