Ayrshire cows are bred chiefly for dairying. Jerseys, Ayrshires, Guernseys, and Holstein-Friesians are the four great dairy breeds. The milk of the Ayrshires is not so rich in butter-fat as is that of the Jerseys. But the Ayrshires produce more milk than the Jerseys. On this account Ayrshires are raised on large dairy farms where milk rather than butter is wanted. Some dairymen pay most attention to bottling and selling milk. Others interest themselves largely in making butter. The choice of cattle to fit the needs of each is very important. An Ayrshire cow has been known to produce 11 tons of milk in a year. This was 16 times the weight of the cow. The cow here shown is a fine likeness of the breed. Ayrshires are mostly white in color, with red or brownish spots and patches. They have long upturned horns with black tips. They are a fifth larger than Jerseys, and weigh from 1000 to 1400 pounds. They have straight backs. Their udders are large. They are a bit nervous, as is shown by the way this cow holds herself while having her picture taken. The Ayrshires come from the mixing of many breeds. The breed sprang up in southwestern Scotland in the county of Ayr. The blood in their veins likely comes from the following breeds: Highland, Teeswater, Shorthorn, and Hereford. It was not till after 1850 that the fine points of the new breed were set down. Then the Ayrshires improved rapidly because breeders knew what to select for breeding purposes. Find Ayr on your map. From what breed of cows does the milk come that you use? The butter? What breeds of cattle do you know? Name the differences between an Ayrshire and a Jersey. Keystone ID: 21502 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.