Cattle Class worth over a million

China Southern Airlines (NYSE: ZNH) (HKSE: 1055), the largest airline in The People's Republic of China, has pleased announced that it safely transported nearly 200 head of purebred Holstein-Friesian cows from Seattle to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.

The USDA not only approved this special charter to China but also had representatives on hand, on the tarmac in Seattle, to monitor all facets of the live animal transfer and cargo loading of China Southern Airlines' 747-400 aircraft. The charter to China was accompanied by a Canadian veterinarian who monitored the animals throughout the flight.

The all-female cattle originated from private farms in Quebec, Canada and was sent to China for breeding only. China Southern Airlines' entire Boeing 747-400 freighter was packed with the nearly 200 head of purebred cattle; each of the animals weighted in at a hefty 360K.

The total value of the Holstein heifers was more than $1 Million (USD).

China Southern Airlines has a solid global reputation in the worldwide cargo industry in its professional handling of live animals as it first moved more than 700 "flying pigs" more than one year ago. This charter marked China's largest airline's first live animal charter to China from an originating US city outside of its Midwest base at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Holsteins are most quickly recognized by their distinctive color markings and outstanding milk production. Holsteins are large, stylish animals with color patterns of black and white or red and white. A healthy Holstein calf weighs 90 pounds or more at birth. A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1,500 pounds and stand 58 inches tall at the shoulder.

Holstein heifers can be bred at 15 months of age, when they weigh about 800 pounds. It is desirable to have Holstein females calve for the first time between 24 and 27 months of age. Holstein gestation is approximately nine months. While some cows may live considerably longer, the normal productive life of a Holstein is six years. 

Average production for all Holsteins enrolled in official U.S. production-testing programs in 1987 was 17,408 pounds of milk, 632 pounds of butterfat and 550 pounds of protein per year.

China Southern Airlines offers 747-freighter flights between China and Chicago every day (except Monday).

In addition, China Southern Airlines also offers three non-stop 747-400 cargo service each week between Los Angeles International Airport to Shanghai and Shenzhen and one non-stop cargo flight between LAX and Shenzhen.