The Ayrshire
Cattle Society of Great Britain & Ireland is based in the breed's
home territory at Ayr in Scotland. Membership is now 1000 and the
society has 23 affiliated local regional clubs.
James Rawbone
of Somerset West imported the first Ayrshires to South Africa in
1890. Since then the breed has established itself as one of the important
dairy breeds in the country.
The Australian
Ayrshire Breeders' Association Inc. was formed in September 1977
by a majority wish of the Victorian breeders and was later joined
by a number of South Australian breeders, and now includes members
from Tasmania and Queensland.
Today's
modern Ayrshire cow has an ideal make-up to be able to compete with
all breeds in all conditions. There are many pluses for the commercial
breeder to use Ayrshire semen.