Kvet Forum
Well-known member
The Ayrshire breed originated from the county of Ayr in Scotland, prior to 1800. The breed was introduced to Kenya in 1908 from South Africa. It has been developed over the last century through inputs of bloodlines from Britain, South Africa, Sweden, New-Zealand, Canada and USA.
Kenya Aryshire cattle breeders emphasize on medium cow balanced for type, production, longer life and fertility. Ayrshire population in Kenya is estimated to be over 1.2 million of which nearly 30'000 are registered.
Typical characteristics include:
Purpose: Milk production. Ayrshire milk is referred as "the ideal drinking milk"; it is not excessively rich, not lacking adequate fat, and it possesses desirable quantities of proteins.
Potential yield: 30 litres/day, 4,7% butter fat, depending on feeding and management.
Average yield: 10 litres/day
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 450 kg)
Description:
Farms keeping Ayrshire in Kenya (officially registered):
1. Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Katuke Complex, PO Box 1392-30200 Kitale
2. Makongi Farm, PO Box 1320-30100 Eldoret
3. Kisima Farm, PO Box 19- 20107 Njoro
4. Gogar Farm PO Box 6-201080 Rongai
5. ADC Lanet Farm PO B0x 1124-20100 Nakuru
6. University of Nairobi Farm PO Box 29053-10202 Kabete
7. Moi University Farm PO Box 30900-30100 Eldoret
8. Loruk Farm PO Box 104-10400 Nanyuki
9. Waunyomu Ngeke Ranch PO Box 236-00232 Ruiru
10. Sanctury Farm PO Box 244-20177 Naivasha
11. Marimba Farm PO Box 32 Meru
12. KARI Ol Joro Orok Private Bag 20302 Ol Joro Orok
13. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
14. Sunset Farm PO Box 13366-20100 Nakuru
15. Limuru Agricultural Youth Centre PO Box 30496 Nairobi
16. Chemusian Farm PO Box 86-20107 Menengai
Kenya Aryshire cattle breeders emphasize on medium cow balanced for type, production, longer life and fertility. Ayrshire population in Kenya is estimated to be over 1.2 million of which nearly 30'000 are registered.
Purpose: Milk production. Ayrshire milk is referred as "the ideal drinking milk"; it is not excessively rich, not lacking adequate fat, and it possesses desirable quantities of proteins.
Potential yield: 30 litres/day, 4,7% butter fat, depending on feeding and management.
Average yield: 10 litres/day
Average body size: Large (average live-weight 450 kg)
Description:
- Body colour: Brown and white patches in almost equal amounts with some cows tending to dark mahogany colour
- Prominent strongly attached and balanced udders
- Strong loins, long stooping from hip to pin bones
- Good spring of ribs and deep body capacity
- High milk production potential (30 litres/day). The average milk yield from this breed in Kenya is roughly 3000 litres in 305 days with butter fat of 4.7%. Heifers generally come into milk at about two years of age.
- Fairly hardy and adaptable to varied agro-ecological zones (AEZs)
- They are easy calving
- They are relatively resistant to diseases and free of genetic diseases
- Better suited to range management than the Fresian breed
- Feed requirements high (90-110 kg fresh forage/day i.e. 3 gunny bags)
- Need plenty of clean water (60 litres/day)
Farms keeping Ayrshire in Kenya (officially registered):
1. Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) Katuke Complex, PO Box 1392-30200 Kitale
2. Makongi Farm, PO Box 1320-30100 Eldoret
3. Kisima Farm, PO Box 19- 20107 Njoro
4. Gogar Farm PO Box 6-201080 Rongai
5. ADC Lanet Farm PO B0x 1124-20100 Nakuru
6. University of Nairobi Farm PO Box 29053-10202 Kabete
7. Moi University Farm PO Box 30900-30100 Eldoret
8. Loruk Farm PO Box 104-10400 Nanyuki
9. Waunyomu Ngeke Ranch PO Box 236-00232 Ruiru
10. Sanctury Farm PO Box 244-20177 Naivasha
11. Marimba Farm PO Box 32 Meru
12. KARI Ol Joro Orok Private Bag 20302 Ol Joro Orok
13. ADC Olngatongo PO Box 680-30200 Kitale
14. Sunset Farm PO Box 13366-20100 Nakuru
15. Limuru Agricultural Youth Centre PO Box 30496 Nairobi
16. Chemusian Farm PO Box 86-20107 Menengai