68 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



For veal production the Ayrshire ranks between the Jersey 

 and the Holstein. The calves weigh 60 to 75 pounds at birth, 

 and are strong and vigorous. In beef production this breed 

 ranks high for a dairy breed. When dry they fatten readily, 

 and are said to make a good quality of beef. 



Dairy Characteristics. The following summary of yearly 

 records of pure-bred Ayrshire cattle owned by American 

 experiment stations shows the chief facts regarding their 

 milking qualities : 



In the above the fat constitutes 29.6 per cent of the total 

 solids, as compared with 34.5 for the Jerseys and 28 per cent 

 for the Holsteins. 



As a breed the Ayrshires are noted for a good uniform 

 production of milk rather than for remarkable records. They 

 have not yet made the enormous records of fat and milk 

 production that have been made by the Holsteins, Jerseys, 

 and Guernseys, but at the same time there are few really infe- 

 rior animals found in this breed, and the average production 

 as a breed is probably equal to that of any other. 



The fat averages a little under 4 per cent, and the total 

 solids 12.5 per cent. The fat globules are small, and the 

 milk and butter does not show much yellow color, ranking 

 in this respect with the Holsteins. This breed is especially 

 well adapted for the production of market milk, because they 



