The Ayrshire is a medium size cow with distinctive red and white markings.
Sometimes the red colour may range from very dark mahogany to a very light brownish red. Purebred Ayrshire cattle will only produce calves that are red and white.
Originating from the County of Ayrshire in Scotland in the late 18th century, it was not until different strains of native cattle were crossed with other breeds, that she became the Ayrshire as we know her today. The Ayrshires did extremely well in the Scottish highland landscape, adapting well to the climate and terrain due to being crossed these native cattle.
Prior to 1800, many of the cattle were black. By 1775, brown and mottled coloured cattle started to appear, after crossing the Ayrshire with the Teeswater.
The first Ayrshire to arrive in New Zealand was a bull called ‘Rob Roy.’ He arrived at Otago on the immigrant ship ‘Philip Lainge,’ carrying the first Scottish settlers, from Glascow in April 1848. The first cow arrived 12 months later.
Prior to this, Ayrshire cattle were imported into Connecticut, U.S.A, where the climate and terrain were similar to that of Scotland, therefore they did very well in this environment.
An Ayrshire cow is known to be an efficient grazer and highly adaptable to a variety of different management systems. Due to her vigour and good legs, she is not susceptible to foot and leg problems. Noted for the quality and superior shape of her udder, she is able to produce high quality, easily digestible milk. Known for her longevity of production and ease of calving, she is able to be milked for 10 years or more, which is longer than many other breeds.
Across New Zealand’s dairy population, there are approximately 108,000 Ayrshire and Ayrshire cross cows and it is the third largest of the six pure dairy breeds, representing 0.4% of dairy cows in 2023.
She is now found on all continents and her ability to be able to thrive in extreme climate conditions makes her an ideal cow for breeding systems all over the world.
Joanna Fowlie pictured with her then three-year old Champion Ayrshire Raetea Rubicon Debbie (Debbie), who took out the All Breeds Supreme Exhibit at the Dairy Event held at Manfield Park, Feilding in 2023.
This is just the second time in history that an Ayrshire has taken out this award..
As a yearling in 2020, Debbie she won four ribbons at the Waikato A & P show, including Reserve Champion Ayrshire Junior Female and Reserve North Island Champion Ayrshire Junior Female.
The following year she got a second placing as a senior yearling Ayrshire at the NZ Dairy Event followed by a multitude of awards in 2022 including Reserve Champion Cow in the Youth Show and Reserve Intermediate in-milk Ayrshire Champion.