Micra or Ferrari? Selecting the right cow for a profitable and sustainable dairy system

Sophie Gregory, Dairy Farmer and Nuffield Scholar

Introduction

It was an honour to be invited to speak at the British Cattle Breeders Conference and to share our experiences in dairy farming and herd development. When first approached about delivering this talk, I questioned whether I had anything significant to contribute to a breeding-focused conference, particularly given that our herd at home is far from a meticulously bred pedigree operation. However, upon reflection, I recognised that our journey in dairy farming – from a share-farming start to full ownership – has been shaped by critical breeding decisions that have directly impacted our farm’s profitability, efficiency, and sustainability.

In preparing for this talk, I noted an interesting comment on a flip chart outside the conference room:

“Farmers need inspiration, not education.”

This resonated deeply with me. My goal today is not to provide textbook breeding advice, but rather to share the real-world lessons we have learned in building a herd that is resilient, efficient, and well-suited to our specific farm system.

The title of my presentation, “Micra or Ferrari?”, serves as an analogy for choosing the right cow for a particular farm system. Much like selecting a vehicle, the ideal choice depends on factors such as efficiency, adaptability, cost, and long-term value. A high-input, high-output dairy cow (the “Ferrari”) may be ideal for intensive systems with full feeding programs, while a low-maintenance, high-fertility cow (the “Micra”) may be more suitable for grass-based, seasonal systems. Understanding what your farm needs – not just what looks best on paper – is critical for long-term success and profitability.

Farm Background and Business Development

My husband Tom and I began dairy farming ten years ago under a share-farming agreement, starting with 280 organic cows on 600 acres. At the time, Tom was working as a full-time foot trimmer, and I was employed as an accountant with no intention of becoming directly involved in farm operations. However, our passion for dairy grew alongside our business, leading us to purchase full ownership of the business in April 2024.

Today, we manage:

• 400 organic dairy cows, supplying milk to Arla, a European dairy cooperative.
• A total of 1,400 acres, spanning Dorset, Devon, and Somerset, managed across three tenancies and one contract farming agreement.
• 150 head of dairy x beef, a mix of Hereford and Angus crosses, marketed either through direct beef sales or restaurant supply chains.
• 300 acres of arable land, primarily used for additional silage and protein for the farm.

Our calving system follows a structured approach:

• Spring block – 300 cows calving within seven weeks (heifers calve within the first ten days).
• Autumn block – 100 cows calving to beef sires over seven weeks, providing flexibility in seasonal milk supply and enabling strategic dry periods in response to climatic conditions.

We operate with a small but dedicated team:

• Two full-time employees, both of whom joined as trainees and have been with us for 3-4 years.
• Two part-time staff, including a college student gaining hands-on experience.

One of our most significant investments in farm infrastructure and community engagement is the development of an on-farm education and training facility, set to open in February 2025.

This space will accommodate:

• School visits, which have historically been logistically challenging.
• Apprenticeship and industry training, including sessions for veterinary professionals.
• Local community events, strengthening the connection between consumers and producers.

In addition, we are hosting Open Farm Sunday on June 8, 2025, providing a unique opportunity for the local community to gain insight into modern organic dairy farming.

Breeding for Longevity, Fertility, and Economic Efficiency

A major focus of our herd development strategy has been selecting resilient, efficient cows – those that:

• Require minimal intervention in terms of fertility and health.
• Calve unassisted and transition smoothly post-calving.
• Maintain consistent production levels on predominantly forage-based diets but if the feed milk price ratio is right respond to increased concentrate.
• Exhibit strong feet and legs to cope with a system that involves significant walking distances up hill.

We refer to these high-performing cows as “ghost cows” – the ones that require little attention, consistently get in-calf without intervention, and deliver high lifetime production.

A key example on our farm is a family line of cows that originated with a pedigree Shorthorn matriarch. She produced multiple generations of productive, long-living daughters, including:

• “D**khead” (previously “Friendly Cow,” before her personality dictated a renaming!).
• No. 8, another highly productive daughter.
• Lady Lur (Lurpak), a strong-willed but apart from her attitude you wouldn’t have to do anything to.

These cows embody functional efficiency, demonstrating high fertility, longevity, and adaptability.

Genetic Selection and Breeding Strategy

Our breeding program is based on data-driven decision-making with a strong emphasis on:

• Milk recording and fertility tracking – Continuous monitoring of cell counts, solids, and reproductive performance.
• Johne’s control program – Early testing and aggressive culling of positive animals have significantly reduced herd prevalence over time. It’s had improved mastitis levels, lameness and improved fertility.
• Tailored AI strategy – We select 6-8 bulls per year, all sexed semen, using a bull-a-day rotation approach.
• Weighing youngstock regularly and getting them to weight something we are still working hard on.
• We are a closed herd but buy in pedigree bulls every couple of years from a high health Johnes free herd.

Our AI approach follows a structured method:

• 42% of inseminations result in a calved heifer (accounting for conception rates, early losses, and stillbirths).
• Selective breeding lists ensure only the highest-performing cows contribute to replacements.
• Beef genetics (Hereford & Angus) are used on low-ranking cows to maximize calf value.

By focusing on fertility, calving ease, milk solids, and structural soundness, we are steadily improving herd efficiency and uniformity.

Lessons from International Dairy Systems

Through my Nuffield Scholarship, I have observed first hand the impact of breeding decisions on global dairy systems:

• In Sri Lanka, farms built for 200 cows house only 30, producing 7 litres per cow per day due to genetic limitations.
• In Indonesia, imported genetics have transformed smallholder dairy farms, increasing average production to 21 litres per day.
• Across Europe and Australia, top-performing dairy businesses have achieved success by aligning genetics with farm system requirements, ensuring maximum efficiency and profitability.

Conclusion: The Right Cow for the Right System

The key takeaway from our journey in breeding and herd management is not about having the “best” cow but having the “right” cow for the system. Whether your ideal cow resembles a Micra or a Ferrari, the fundamentals remain the same:

• Focus on resilience, fertility, and efficiency.
• Breed for profitability, not just aesthetics.
• Invest in data collection – you can’t monitor what you don’t measure.
• Make breeding decisions based on system-specific requirements.
• Get professional help – Tom from Dairy Services South West comes once a year to provide advice but also, we buy our semen, it doesn’t cost us anything extra and he knows our herd.

Dairy farming is a long-term game, and breeding is an investment in the future. The best time to start is always yesterday.