Illawarra
(most common name)

(transboundary/brand name):
• Illawarra Shorthorn
(local/other name):
• AIS
• Australian Illawarra Shorthorn (until 1984)
• South Coast
• South Coast Cattle

The Illawarra originated in the coastal region of Illawarra — about 78 miles (125 km) south of Sydney — in New South Wales.

Selective breeding of the Illawarra became serious when a herdbook was started in 1883. The Darbalara Stud herd was particularly important in this process and produced the cow ‘Melba the 15th of Darbalara’. This cow held the world record for butterfat content in the 1920s.

Breeds involved in Illawarra development include:
• Shorthorn
• Ayrshire
• Devon
• Dexter
• Guernsey
• Holstein-Friesian
• Jersey

Illawarra qualities include:
• calving ease
• good foragers
• good temperament
• good production under tropical and other conditions

The Illawarra coat color is predominantly red or roan; white is usually present on the underside or in patches. The switch is also white. Interestingly, a study conducted during the 1960s found that Illawarra milk yields correlated with both the intensity of their red color and with the thickness of their hairs.

This page was last updated on: 2024-11-14

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