Use Ayrshire Genetics and reap the benefits of hybrid vigour
ago in Scotland to suit the harsh climate and grazing conditions of the area. She is a medium sized cow known for their ability to convert grass into milk efficiently, with great feet and legs, quality milk, low scc, and ability to maintain body condition in any management system hence good fertility, as body condition is linked to fertility.
Declan Donohoe of Red & White Genetics is a commercial Dairy Farmer who commenced dairying in 1987 with a milk quota of 6,000 gallons and rapidly grew because of being located in Lakeland Dairies and Connacht Gold regions, through leases and purchase of quota, his herd has produced as much as 400,000 gallons in 2007. "The herd was prominently HF and we found as the herd got bigger management of same got very difficult. In my opinion I found the pure Holstein cow was susceptible to a lot of problems ie fertility, mastitis, and feet problems. I decided then to cross breed with Ayrshire as I believed they were the most suitable cross and I didn’t want to lose the quality of my herd but achieved a more robust cow also with the advantage of hybrid vigour which I thought was vital."
