A third-generation dairy farm in South Derbyshire achieved significant production gains by combining genetic strategies with cow comfort improvements.

Longlands Farm in Linton, South Derbyshire, has been a family-run dairy farm since 1950. Now in its third generation, the farm is run by Rob Goodwin and his family. Over the past six years, Rob has managed a number of transitions and upgrades that have led to a remarkable 30% increase in yield across the herd.

The farm currently consists of a 230-strong Holstein herd in a fully housed, all-year-round calving system. They are milking three times a day producing an average of 12,500 litres per year (an average of 39 litres per cow per day) with 4% fat and 3.35% protein. The milk is produced under an Arla 360 Starbucks contract.

The Goodwin herd was already being milked three times a day through a 20:20 herringbone parlour, producing around 9,500 litres per cow each year before the recent investments. The drive for investment came after visits to high performing herds inspired Rob to investigate areas where improvements could be made for production gains.

Infrastructure Investments

Identifying the need to update their existing buildings, they committed to improving facilities and the farm underwent a significant transformation. First, they upgraded their youngstock housing, converting a former straw shed. They then moved on to the main cubicle shed which was not spacious enough for their cows; so, they made wider passageways, installed sand cubicles and improved lighting and ventilation.

This investment paid dividends with an immediate uplift of 7 litres per cow, reaching an annual average of 12,000 litres within 12 months. The infrastructure updates also resulted in improved herd health, with a decrease in lameness and mastitis, 75% less antibiotic usage and an improvement in SCC (Somatic Cell Count) to 145 from 200.

The next infrastructure upgrade was the building of a bespoke new calf shed equipped with automatic feeders, climate monitoring and control, and play equipment for the calves. The new calf shed resulted in more consistent growth rates and almost no calf mortalities. This setup ensures that calves receive the best start in life, leveraging epigenetic gains to boost future productivity.

Transition from Type to Solids Production

Historically, Longlands Farm placed a heavy emphasis on breeding for type, favouring big, showy cows. Selections were made with a focus on traits that would maximise type and milk production. However, with changing market demands, particularly the shift in their contract with Arla to prioritise milk components (fats and proteins), Rob recognised the need to alter his breeding strategy.

The EcoFeed Project was the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into genetics and data, presenting Rob with another area where improvements could be made. By creating a bespoke breeding programme focusing on their desired traits, they were able to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.

The EcoFeed Project

The EcoFeed Project was a joint trial conducted by Cogent Breeding and Kite Consulting across four commercial dairy farms in Derbyshire from 2020 to 2023. The aim of the project was to demonstrate the benefit of genomics for improving the rate of genetic gain and increasing the profitability and sustainability of farms. A secondary objective was to establish a baseline for EcoFeed scores and quantify the potential for increasing the EcoFeed scores during the trial period.

EcoFeed is an index that identifies animals with the genomic trait to produce more milk using less feed resources. It was introduced by Cogent Breeding in 2017 and focuses on feed efficiency conversion and production traits. EcoFeed predicts Residual Feed Intake (RFI), the difference between actual and predicted Dry Matter (DM) intakes, based on body size and production.

Feed is one of the biggest costs on farm and has a big impact on the environment. Selecting for high EcoFeed values as a secondary selection criterion, in line with a farm’s breeding strategy, could positively impact the farms profitability and sustainability.

During the project, the most efficient cows and heifers were selected through genomic testing and PrecisionMAP (Cogent’s breeding and reporting tool) in order to implement a sexed breeding strategy. Based on the results of the testing and analysis and with the guidance of their dedicated Cogent Genetics Consultant, Phil Wynn, a bespoke breeding programme was developed for Longlands Farm.

Data Integration and Visualising Genetic Progress

As part of the EcoFeed trial, all the Longlands Farm cows and youngstock were genomically tested. One of the key benefits Rob and his herdsman Dane experienced through the EcoFeed trial was the ability to consolidate all their genetic data into a specific breeding programme. This comprehensive approach allowed them to create a more targeted and effective breeding strategy and make more informed decisions about their herd. They were also able to better visualise the gains the herd was making from genetic selection.

Rob noted, “What really drew us to the EcoFeed Project was the ability to take all our genetic information and put it together in a meaningful way for our farm’s goals. Working with Cogent we were able to maximise the potential of our data and translate it into actionable breeding decisions. It has given us a clearer picture of our herd’s genetic potential and allowed us to focus on the traits that really mattered to us, like production and fertility. This kind of targeted strategy is what we needed to push our farm forward, not just in terms of productivity, but also sustainability and long-term resilience.”

The visual representation of genetic progress through graphs and data presentations during EcoFeed meetings proved particularly impactful. Dane commented, "It excites you as well, because you see what that crop of heifers has been doing." This ability to clearly see the improvements over time reinforced their commitment to the genetic strategy and helped them appreciate the rapid progress they were making.

The consolidated data and visual tools not only showed how far they had come from their starting point but also helped them project future gains. This forward-looking perspective has been crucial in maintaining enthusiasm for the genetic improvement programme and in setting new goals for the herd.

With the new genetic strategy, Longlands Farm use 4M Ultraplus sexed semen on 55% of their herd to produce replacement heifers focusing on traits for fat, protein and fertility. As a test farm in the Cogent Beef Progeny Testing Programme, the rest of the herd is served to Angus and British Blue Beef Impact semen. Working closely with a member of the Cogent beef team, early life data is collected on calves of new sires contributing to the most extensive testing programme of Beef on Dairy calves in the UK.

EcoFeed Trial Results and Benefits

The EcoFeed Project yielded significant improvements for Longlands Farm over the three-year period.

• Actual Production: Total milk solids produced per cow/year increased by 2%, from 980kg in 2020 to 1000kg in 2023.

• Financial Improvement: The increase in fat and protein potential could lead to an increased payment of 0.28 ppl. For Rob's 225-cow herd producing 11,500 kg/cow/year (based on milk recording records during the trial), this equates to an additional £7,245 annually.

• Milk Production Potential: The genetic improvement indicates a potential increase of 250 kg milk/cow/year. For the 225-cow herd (recorded during the trial period), this could result in an additional 56,250 litres, worth £22,500 at 40 ppl.

• Total Benefit: The combined improvements could result in additional milk sales of £29,745 per year for Longlands Farm, equivalent to 1.15 ppl.
• Genetic Profit: £PLI per year increased by £73 over a five-year period, surpassing the UK average of £60 per year.
• Genetic Gain: Total milk solids gPTA (genomic Predicted Transmitting Ability) gain improved by 51% (12.1kg), from 2020 to 2023, when comparing the 0-12 month heifer group to the whole herd. This means these heifers had 51% more potential to produce milk solids when they entered the herd compared to the herd average at the end of the trial.

• Feed Efficiency: Longlands Farm saw the highest average EcoFeed score progression among the trial farms when comparing the 0-12month heifer group to the whole herd (+4 points). At the end of the trial in 2023, the heifer group had an average EcoFeed score of 100 compared to the whole herd average of 96. The farm's heifers ranged from 85 to 115 in EcoFeed scores, demonstrating significant variability and potential for improvement through selective breeding.
• Climate Impact: The Arla climate check score improved from 1.07 to 1.02 kgCO2e/kg milk during the three year trial, indicating a 4% decrease in Longland Farm’s carbon footprint.

Rob Goodwin's farm showed particularly impressive results in genetic gain and EcoFeed scores. The farm achieved the second-highest increase in £PLI among the trial farms, demonstrating the effectiveness of their genetic strategy. Their high average EcoFeed score suggests significant potential for improved feed efficiency in future generations.

Observations and Future Focus

While talking with Rob and Dane, one of the main things they were impressed with and kept referring back to was the speed with which genetics can impact your herd. By focusing on genomic testing and selection, the farm has been able to fast-track genetic gains, effectively doubling the speed of improvement within the herd.

This targeted approach has resulted in more consistent, high-performing cows that meet the new demands for higher solids production. The excellent conception rates they have been able to achieve allows them to maintain their herd size with more genetically elite youngstock.

Although it's still early to measure the full impact of these changes on feed efficiency, the genetic improvements are already apparent on paper. Rob remains optimistic that these advances will translate into tangible benefits as the herd continues to evolve.

Rob plans to continue focusing on fat, protein, and fertility traits, with EcoFeed as a secondary trait, to build a balanced, efficient cow. The farm is also participating in other sustainability initiatives, such as trialling Bovaer, a feed additive approved for reducing enteric methane in ruminants. They also have a biomass boiler on site for heating water in the dairy and installed 62kw solar panels on the new youngstock building roof.

Rob Goodwin's experience at Longlands Farm is an indication of the power of combining genetic strategies with infrastructure improvements. By focusing on cow comfort, data-driven breeding decisions, and sustainability initiatives, the farm has achieved significant production gains while setting the stage for a more efficient and profitable future. The EcoFeed trial has not only provided tangible benefits but also equipped Rob and his team with valuable tools for visualising progress and making informed decisions about their herd's future.