Illawarra cattle facts for kids
The Illawarra cattle are a special type of dairy cow that started in Australia. Farmers there worked hard to make them better by mixing in genes from other great dairy cows like the Ayrshire, Devon, and Milking Shorthorn. These cows got their name, Illawarra, from the Illawarra region in New South Wales, where they were first developed. Before being called Illawarra, they were known as the Australian Illawarra Shorthorn (AIS).
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What Do Illawarra Cattle Look Like?
Illawarra cows are usually large and strong. Most of them are a beautiful red color, but you might also see some with white patches or a mix of red and white, which is called "roan." They also have horns.
How Much Milk Do They Produce?
Illawarra cows are known for making lots of milk! Their milk is also rich in butterfat and protein, which are important nutrients.
In 1998, a test showed that on average, an Illawarra cow produced about 4,829 liters of milk. This milk had a little over 4% butterfat and 3.4% protein. This was when they were raised on Australia's grassy pastures.
More recently, in 2010, reports showed that an average Illawarra cow could produce even more milk, around 6,733 liters! This milk had about 3.95% butterfat and 3.29% protein. This shows they are excellent milk producers.
What Is Their Personality Like?
Illawarra cows are very calm and gentle animals. They are known for living a long time, which is great for farmers. Because they are so calm, they are easy to handle, especially for shows or when working with them in the dairy.
How Well Do They Adapt?
These cows are super tough! They can handle very hot weather, even over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and also cold weather below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). They are also good at using the food they eat efficiently, so they don't need a lot of extra feeding. This ability to live well in many different conditions has helped the Illawarra breed become popular around the world.
Where Are They Exported?
Illawarra cattle, along with their embryos and semen (which help create new calves), have been sent to many countries. This shows how valued they are globally. They have been exported to places like Central America, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Canada, the Middle East, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
