Information about Illawarra Cattle
Production and milk quality
Illawarras are producers of large quantities of milk. Many cows produce in excess of 40 litres per day and 300 day lactations over 10,000 litres are not uncommon. Because of its moderate fat, high protein milk yield the breed is in an excellent position to take advantage of the growing world demand for protein.
Adaptability
Australian dairy cows are subjected to a wide range of climatic conditions. Whilst extreme temperatures in dairy farm areas vary from below 0 degrees to over 40 degrees, Illawarra cows thrive on a pasture based feeding system and are not housed at any time of the year. Consequently they have adapted well in countries extending from the tropics to North America.
Calving Ease
One of the most outstanding features of Illawarra cows is their ability to calve unattended with assistance rarely ever needed. Contributing f
actors to this highly desirable characteristic appear to be their superior pelvic formation and individual determination.
Longevity
An Illawarra cow can be expected to calve at 2 years of age, calve regularly every 12 months increasing her yield each year until a mature cow and keep producing into her early teens. Many have produced lifetime totals in excess of 60,000 litres of milk.
Pigmentation
Ilawarras have strong dark hooves and dark pigmentation of the skin, thus avoiding the problems of skin cancer and sunburnt teats. The latter being one of the contributing factors to the reputation of Illawarras having an excellent temperament.
Please contact your nearest Branch Secretary
NSW Illawarra & Southern - John Downes - 02 4236 0159
NSW Mid Rivers - Audrey Moxey - 02 6585 8200
NSW North Coast - Carol Hill - 02 6683 2350
VIC - Michael Tuhan - 03 5824 2538
QLD - Betty Ledger - 07 5447 9049 or see web site www.illawarrasqld.com.au
SA - Maree Mueller - 08 8532 2268
WA - Ros Hoskin - 08 9525 2134
TAS - Richard Poke - 03 6428 4117
Please refer to the following site for further information on Illawarra BullsAustralian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme - www.adhis.com.au
Or KSRCL site - www.ksrcl.com.au
RAS Links
RAS NSW
RAS VIC
RAS SA
RAS TAS
RAS QLD
RAS NT
RNCAS
CrazyCow Magazine the official magazine for the Illawarra Cattle Society - www.crazycow.com.au
www.answers.com.au
Illawarra Cattle
PO Box 189
Kiama, NSW, 2533
Phone: 02 4232 3333
Fax: 02 4232 3350
illawarra@lbcentre.com.au
