Say hello to 2024’s first calf

Rare all-black Ancient White Park kicks off the spring calving season

Ayrshire Farm is pleased to welcome the first calf of 2024. This Ancient White Park heifer joined the herd on Valentine’s Day sporting an all-black coat — the result of a fairly rare recessive gene she inherited from her mother. While other Ancient White Parks are known for their bright-white coloring, this little lady truly stands out from the crowd.

If you look closely, you’ll also notice her ear tag, 1N, which is the way we identify the year and order in which cows are born. In this case, “N” stands for 2024 and “1” means she’s the first calf of the year. Talk about a special girl!

This Ancient White Park’s birth marks the beginning of Ayrshire Farm’s spring calving season, which expects to yield about 45 babies. The farm carefully orchestrates calving seasons to align with the natural rhythms of our heritage-breed animals. In the spring, Ancient White Parks and English Longhorns give birth, while Highland cattle are planned for the fall. This strategic timing ensures optimal conditions for each breed, allowing them to thrive in harmony with the seasonal cycles of nature.