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Cows and Effect
What is it about Holstein cows that captures artists’ fancy?
If I have a thing for Holsteins, and I do, it’s not entirely by choice. My last name is Holston. People have been calling me “Holstein” as a joke or mistaking’ my name for Holstein since I was in grade school. I lost count years ago of the birthday and Christmas cards I’ve gotten with a black-and-white bovine on the front.
Recently, I discovered I am truly a Holstein. My earliest American ancestor was one Matthias Holstein. He immigrated to the colonies in 1663 to join the New Sweden farm community near Philadelphia. The surname morphed into Holston a couple of generations later.
I would probably have a thing for the cows even if I didn’t have the namesake connection. What’s not to like? The Holstein is a cow’s cow, and it’s ubiquitous.
Most famously, there are the Chick-fil-A Holsteins that have been imploring humans to “EAT MOR CHIKIN” on billboards and in TV commercials since 1995. The ad agency that came up with the campaign wanted to play off cows’ presumed aversion to becoming hamburgers. They picked Holsteins because they’re a breed known for milk, not beef, and because their distinct black-and-white patterns made them very photogenic.
