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Ayrshire, breed of hardy dairy cattle originating in the county of Ayr, Scotland, in the latter part of the 18th century and considered to be the only special dairy breed to have originated in the British Isles.
- Is Ayrshire a breed of cattle?
- What are some characteristics of Ayrshire cattle?
- What is an Ayrshire cow used for?
- What is special about Ayrshire milk?
- How many liters of milk does an Ayrshire cow produce per day?
- When was the Ayrshire imported to the US?
- How much milk does a Ayrshire cow produce?
- Which dairy cow has the highest milk fat?
- Where in Scotland is Ayrshire?
- Can Ayrshire be black and white?
- What is the difference between Friesian and Holstein cows?
- What does a Holstein cow look like?
Is Ayrshire a breed of cattle?
Ayrshire cattle (IPA /ˈɛərʃər/) are a breed of dairy cattle from Ayrshire in southwest Scotland. The adult Ayrshire cow weighs from 450 to 600 kilograms (1,000–1,300 pounds). Ayrshires typically have red and white markings; the red can range from a shade of orange to a dark brown.
What are some characteristics of Ayrshire cattle?
Ayrshire cattle are noted for their red and white color pattern. The red may range from a very dark, almost black mahogany to a very light brownish-red. The cattle could be almost a solid red or white with the complimentary color spotted across their hide or they may have more of a broken mix of red and white.
What is an Ayrshire cow used for?
The Ayrshire is an efficient grazer; noted for her vigour and efficiency of milk production. Ayrshire's are especially noted for the superior shape and quality of the udder. The composition of the milk made it ideally suited for the production of butter and cheese by the early Scottish dairymen.
What is special about Ayrshire milk?
Ayrshire milk is prized around the world for its excellent flavor and texture. It averages around 3.4 percent protein and slightly less than 4 percent butterfat—about 10 percent more than Holstein milk and 20 percent more than the USDA requirement for whole milk.
How many liters of milk does an Ayrshire cow produce per day?
During peak lactation, a high-yielding cow may produce as much as 60 litres per day and up to 12,000 litres over her whole lactation.
When was the Ayrshire imported to the US?
Ayrshires were first imported to North America in the 1830s, but the majority of imports came after 1850 and reflected more improved types. The breed became especially popular in New England, and Daniel Webster was among its early proponents.
How much milk does a Ayrshire cow produce?
Ayrshires respond to good management and feeding practices and individual Ayrshire herds average as high as 17,000 pounds of milk and 700 pounds of butterfat. Top producing Ayrshires regularly exceed 20,000 pounds of milk in their lactations.
Which dairy cow has the highest milk fat?
Of all the common breeds of dairy cattle, the milk of the Jersey boasts the highest milk fat content. This high fat content means the milk is often used for making ice cream and cheeses.
Where in Scotland is Ayrshire?
Ayrshire & Arran is located on the south west coast of Scotland, on the shores of the Firth of Clyde.
Can Ayrshire be black and white?
In the black and white Ayrshires, the colors usually occur in large patches, and are distinctly separated. Other colors in the Ayrshire more usually occur as numerous small spots.
What is the difference between Friesian and Holstein cows?
The Holstein cow is quickly recognised by their distinctive colour markings and outstanding milk production. Holsteins are large cattle with coat colour patterns of black and white or red and white. ... British Friesian cattle are generally slightly smaller than Holsteins and carry more flesh.
What does a Holstein cow look like?
Holsteins are large cattle with colour patterns of black and white or red and white. ... A mature Holstein cow weighs about 1500 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.
