Plum Bottom Ayrshires
The Plum Bottom herd of registered Ayrshire cows was established in 1956 and dispersed in May of 2025. Fortified on sun and great on grass, our cows were "raised 2 Graze."
[air-sher] noun.
A breed of dairy cattle known for their red and white markings. Originating in County Ayr, Scotland they were brought to the United States in 1822 and made famous by their hardiness and ability to convert grass into milk efficiently.
Ayrshire
We believe in three things:
1
Rotational Grazing
Cows belong on grass, and grass needs rest. Our pastures were divided into 28+ sections, which cows rotated through daily. This gave the land a chance to rest and regrow, and our cows optimal nutrition while combating climate change.
2
Soil Health
Our herd was mostly grass fed, and the nutrition in the grass begins with the soil. Our fields have been free of any additives for over 80 years, fertilized only by our cows and the sunshine. We are proud to be part of soil health studies by Penn State and Columbia Universities.
3
Superior Genetics
Carefully selected sires, always 100% Ayrshire, optimized our herd for longevity and quality milk production. We utilized the AaA method, as well as Dairy Classifications so our herd improved with every generation.
The Plum Bottom herd of registered Ayrshire cows resided at Hameau Farm for over 30 years. Owner Audrey Gay Rodgers, is a third generation Ayrshire breeder.
Cow families are an integral part of our farm philosophy. Mothers, daughters and sisters played a role in the milking line-up. In the milking barn, each cow had her own identified stall and some cow families dated back to the 1950s!
