Ayrshire cows - the most commonDairy breed in the world. Despite the overall “holsteinization” of the dairy population in recent decades, the Ayrshires confidently hold the leading position in the dairy market. This is not only a highly productive animal, but also an excellent example of aesthetics of breeding work of breeders: proportional, elegant, with large magnificent lyre-shaped horns with a flirtatious backward bend and eyes of amazing beauty.
History of the breed
Ayrshire cows (photo in article)officially as an independent population was recognized in the early 19th century. In 1877, the first tribal book appeared. Its name received on the Scottish county Ayr. Several breeds of cattle took part in the creation of the Ayrshires: Dutch, Alderney, Flemish, Tisvatera. These animals improved the local herd by repeatedly adding blood. The main influence was made by representatives of the Dutch breed.
Very widespread Ayrshire breedcows received in Finland. It was introduced in 1845, and since 1901 a tribal association of Ayrshirs was organized in Finland. The cows perfectly adapted to the northern conditions and became the predominant Finnish breed.
Finnish animals are distinguished by highyields and fat content. This is the highest animal population in the world. In a class with a life time milk yield in 100,000 kg more than 2000 cows were brought, and in a class of 150,000 more than 30 animals were recorded. Milk fat content averages 4.28%.
Animal description
Ayrshire cows have their own distinctive features. Animals can be described as follows:
- proportionally folded dairy cows;
- properly set, strong limbs;
- slanting body length - up to 159 cm;
- deep chest;
- height at withers - 120-125 cm;
- circumference of the metacarpus on average 17.5 cm;
- cup-shaped udder, with uniform lobes and wide-set nipples of medium length;
- light graceful, slightly elongated head;
- the horns are large lyre-shaped (today there are lines of horny cows, there is a practice of burning the horns of calves);
- a thin neck with small folds (a sign of milkiness in cows);
- color is red-motley, and both white and red color from light red to dark, almost brown shade can prevail;
- hair is soft, skin is elastic and thin;
- the average live weight of cows is up to 500 kg, bulls up to 850 kg.
Milk quality
There are several signs of milk quality and productivity, by which the Ayrshire breed of cow is distinguished. Their characteristic is:
- milk is perfect for making cheese and butter;
- average milk yield reaches up to 4,000 kg per lactation (this is the world average);
- milk fat is not less than 3.8%, but not higher than 4.4%;
- low content of somatic cells;
- protein content - up to 3.8%.
Milk of excellent quality is widely used inbaby food production. From cows-record holders, up to 11 thousand kg of milk per lactation period (the duration is 305 days). Breed is considered the most balanced and cost-effective in dairy cattle breeding.
Advantages over other breeds
When choosing animals for dairy cattle breeding, the Ayrshire breed of cows prefers. The characteristic of its advantages over other breeds is as follows:
- stability of milk yield;
- unpretentious content;
- quick adaptation to new conditions of detention;
- active temperament that allows you to quickly accustom animals to machine milking;
- the ability of cows to calve without help;
- high efficiency of digestion;
- excellent health;
- the precocity of cows, they are inseminated at the age of 15 months;
- the breed can be used as an enhancer;
- average daily gain of young stock - up to 850 grams;
- the yield of meat in adult animals is up to 55%, and when fattening it reaches 60%;
- long milk production of cows.
The exceptional quality of animals allowed to win the favor of many milk producers from industrial giants to private farms.
Many small farmers in herds with littleA livestock breeds Ayrshire cows. The reviews about them are only positive and always in superlatives: the most beautiful, the most unpretentious, the most beautiful, the smartest and so on.
A record lifetime yield was recorded in a cow at the age of 21 years. For all the years from her received 128 tons of milk.
Breeding aureole
Айрширская порода коров распространена по всему the world. The ability to quickly get used to the new conditions of detention contributed to its spread from Scotland to Australia and New Zealand. Ayrshirs can be found in North and South America, Africa and the Middle East.
For the preservation and further development of redcattle breeds, which are based on Ayrshires, and in order to avoid inbreeding in close proximity, the breeding farms of the northern countries - Finland, Sweden and Denmark - have joined the international organization VikingGenetics and developed the Red Viking program. The main task is to improve dairy cattle and provide breeders with first-class genetic material.
