About Classification

In order to enable more of the Cattle Services young bulls to obtain a type proof, a new scheme was introduced whereby anyone with test daughters sired by one of Cattle Services young bulls will be classified free of charge - if classified within the timescale required by Cattle Services.

Classifications are charged at £6.00 per animal with a minimum charge of £60.00 equivalent to ten animals. Test daughters are free of charge. Please click here for Ayrshire Classification Rules. List of young bull daughters which are classified free of charge.

The importance of good conformation has never been greater. Not only from a farmers point of view but also the milk buyers and the public awareness.

It is the cow of better type that produces high quantities of quality milk with ease and comfort over a long and trouble free lifetime.

The Classic Ayrshire

The Ayrshire Society's Type Classification Scheme helps farmers achieve cows of good conformation.

Individual type traits are assessed by the classifier and a score is given for Body, Dairy, Mobility and Mammary System before a final score is awarded.

The key benefits of superior graded animals is that they attract higher values than their counterparts.

Specific strengths and weaknesses are highlighted allowing improved corrective breeding decisions to be made.

Most importantly from the classification scores and linear evaluations, the figures are calculated to provide the bull proofs, type merit (for sires) and type index for cows.

The individual type traits are usually expressed in bar chart form.

Classification is the tool that allows breeding decisions to be made within herds and identifies the sires of the next generation, but it depends totally on member participation to achieve these results.