The Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa (ACBS) is dedicated to the well-being of the Ayrshire cattle community, and provides farmers with extensive knowledge of the breed.
The society consults with a network of both local and international experts to ensure the sustainability and quality of breeding of Ayrshire cattle.
The society was founded in 1916 with the main objective to control registration and to make sure that the Ayrshire breed would be kept pure. In 1917, the Registrar signed the certificate recognising the Ayrshire as a full breed. After the signing, a need arose for breeders’ associations to play a role in the Stud Book Society; and thus the cattle breeders’ community expanded.
The Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’ Society was formally established with the First Annual General Meeting of members held in 1917. The society was incorporated into the international Ayrshire Society according to the Studbook Act, Act No 22 of 1920.
ACBS encourages the quality of breeding and production of Ayrshire cattle and its products, which are all dairy-based. The breed is known for producing milk of great quality and value, used to make cheese, cream, yogurt, butter and cultured buttermilk. The popular retailer Woolworths uses Ayrshire milk for its brand of dairy products.
The main four dairy breeds - Holsteins, Jerseys, Ayrshires and Guernseys, vary in terms of live weight, milk yield and milk composition, but...