Dairy Shorthorn making a comeback
12/10/05

Dairy Shorthorn cross Holsteins have replaced the pedigree black and white herd since Cheshire dairy farmer Alan Wright switched to organic production five years ago.

The organic milkers at the feed barrier with zero-grazed grass.

The herd at Yew Tree Farm, Haughton, Tarporley, has been milked three times a day for the last three decades.

However, with two sons - Mark, aged 22 and Henry, six - both keen to follow in the family's traditional dairy farming footsteps the decision was made five years ago to increase cow numbers from 200 milkers to today's 450 head. The farm's switch to organic production means its 700 acres are now all down to white clover grass leys.

“Holsteins need a lot more in the way of inputs and I don't think they use grass as well as the Shorthorn crosses,” said Alan Wright, who farms in partnership with his wife Jill and parents Vernon and Mary. They also have two daughters, Becky, 21, a teacher, and Amy, 16.

“We were finding it increasingly difficult to manage the Holstein, particularly in large numbers. Under the organic system we aren't able to use the quantity of concentrate feed that the higher yielding pedigree Holsteins needed. The introduction of the Dairy Shorthorn and the change to organic production ran together.

“I considered alternative breeds and when I thought about the Dairy Shorthorn it has been around for 200 years or more so why look further if it's right under your nose?”

“The Dairy Shorthorn is making a comeback and it makes an excellent cross with the Holstein.

The cross-bred cattle are more suited to the low-input organic system which was converted under Organic Farmers and Growers, says Mr Wright and they have health benefits as well as the bull calves having a worth.

“I thought that the Shorthorn would blend with the system and I thought they would be better at looking after themselves which I'm convinced they are. They are very laid-back and get on with living,” he added.

“I'm pleased with them - so much so that this is the way we intend to continue to run the herd.”

Five years ago the Wrights invested in 12 Dairy Shorthorns and a bull from Derbyshire breeder Joe Hole. Now the 200 best Holsteins continue to be AId to the Holstein unless they don't get back in calf, with the remainder of the herd - up to 70 per cent - being Dairy Shorthorn cross Holsteins.

The 50-50 cross is maintained by using four crossbred bulls, three of which are bought in and the fourth home-bred. None of the crossbred cattle have more than 85 per cent Shorthorn blood.

The herd has an average yield of 9,200 litres at 4.1 per cent butterfat and 3.3 per cent protein with the emphasis having been on improving the constituent values of the milk

The all-Holstein herd previously was yielding more than an average 10,000 litres a cow and although concentrate use had not been high, the amount was reduced quite dramatically - yet yields are still high.

While the cross bred heifers yield about 12 per cent less than the black and whites, generally the cross-bred cattle produce a more level lactation as well as staying at an even weight during lactation.

“We found under the previous system that it was becoming increasingly expensive to get higher yields, just in turnover of cows let alone the amount of feed required.

The change in management of the dairy herd over the last few years has been made with producing what the consumer wants firmly in mind.

From the beginning of October 2005 milk from the herd will be sold to local creamery Belton Cheese and while not being sold as organic milk, the Wrights will still run the herd and the farm under organic principles as they prefer the system.

The cows' diet is largely grass-based with only a small amount of home-mix concentrates fed in the parlour. The feed is also GM-free.

The cows are fed an average of 6kg a cow a day of a home mix blend. This is fed to yield three times a day though the parlour.

They eat as much grass as they can and up to 50 per cent of the grass they eat is zero-grazed.

Some fields are a long way off from the farm and this, along with zero grazing being a more efficient use of the grassland, are factors for this system.

Silage is only fed when the weather dictates, with the aim of feeding fresh grass from February through to the end of October/early November if possible.

The grassland comprises clover-rich swards and no artificial fertiliser is used on the farm. No chemical sprays are used either.

“We find cross-breeding a bit of a challenge. But like many people we were being led along the line of PINs with the Holsteins and it doesn't always mean it makes you the most money. There is a balance,” said Mr Wright.

The improvement in herd health was a large element in the decision to use Dairy Shorthorns.

“We get fewer foot problems and fertility is good, although we calve all the year round and we often don't serve cows for 100 days.

“We wanted cows that just get on with the job of milk production and which need less attention. We think these cows are going to stay in the herd a lot longer and that's important to us. Previously we found we were having to replace cows after three calves which means you have to keep more young stock.”

As well as reduced input costs with the current system, vets bills have also been reduced.

With the cross-bred cows now producing their fifth calves, Mr Wright is building up a regular customer base for the Shorthorn cross bull calves.

The price they achieve when sold privately makes it worthwhile keeping them until 10 months old and the last batch could have been sold “three times over”.

Also with the expected lifting of the Over Thirty Month Scheme, the fleshier cross-bred cull cows should be worth more.

Milk and cream direct from the traditionally-bred dairy herd