How is it possible for a black bull and a white cow to mate and then for their offsrpings to be a mix of both?

Question

as in patched like dairy cows

Answer 1

It's a matter of Co-dominance; neither trait is recessive and both are shown in the phenotype of the offspring.

Answer 2

yep

Answer 3

Actually unless you know the genetics of the black bull and white cow, the calf could be almost anything. I would guess that one of the parents came from a beef bull and a Holstein cow. The Holstein characteristics are showing up in the calf.

Answer 4

gotta concur with answer number one. a good example is a cross between a Herford and a black Angus. the calf will always have a black body and a white head.