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."
"In my opinion hybrid vigour in modern dairy herds is vital as it is so easily achieved. A prime example of this is in the pig industry where pig farms intensified ten years before dairy farms and every pig bred for consumption is now cross bred for ease of management with only a small part of the herd being kept pure for the dam line."
"I saw the difference immediately with the health of calves with superior vigour and ability to thrive compared to the pure Holsteins in the same batches. My cows are now a more robust cow on shorter legs and maintain body condition with good quality milk."
"Our ICBF dairy herd performance report for 2011-2012 was 552 kgs of BF and PT per cow which put us in the top 99% in the Co-op. Creamery results for the year on all year round supply for 346,000 gallons was BF 4.05, PT 3.29, SCC 144,000."
"Cow health and fertility has improved immensely and this is why I have no reservations in promoting the Ayrshire breed. I see them as a very suitable cow post quotas as they will adapt to fluctuating milk price and their ability to convert forage into milk despite variations in inputs."
