Herd Nerd – Farm & Herd Profile
Welcome to our detailed insight into the herd and system at Kirvennie Farm, with a focus on our grass-based dairy model and the particular breeds and crosses we use. The information is structured in three sections for clarity: Farm Stats, Business Stats and Cow Stats.
We follow a grass-based system and we outline the sustainability advantages of such an approach and the rationale behind our choice of the Jersey cow breed and its crosses with Friesian, Ayrshire and Scandinavian Red genetics.
01.Milk production: On average ~4,450 litres per milking cow per year.
02.Milk constituents (average): 5.93% butterfat, 4.38% protein.
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Acres of land
System: Predominantly grass-based grazing system (pasture + conserved forage) on our farm.
📊 Business Stats
- Throughput: With ~350 milking cows at ~4,450 L/year, total annual milk output is approximately 1,557,500 litres (350 × 4,450).
- Stock structure: With 100 in-calf heifers and 100 calves, we maintain strong future herd replacement capacity.
- Resource base: 450 acres allows for forage production (pasture, conserved forage) that supports the herd’s feed demand in our grass-based system.
- Sustainability credentials:
- Grass-based system improves soil health, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and reduces fertiliser usage.
- Grazing improves cow welfare and reduces health issues such as lameness and mastitis.
- Heavy reliance on home-grown forage reduces feed-food competition and environmental footprint.
- Strategic breed choice: Jersey and crosses with Friesian/Ayrshire/Scandinavian Red genetics optimise efficiency, health and production within a grass-based framework.
🐄 Our Breeds
- Primary breed: Jersey cows.
- Cross-breed strategy: Jerseys crossed with Friesian/Ayrshire/Scandinavian Red for hybrid vigour and breed-specific performance in a grazing system.
- Why Jersey?
- Smaller size → lower maintenance energy costs → more efficient feed-to-milk conversion.
- High milk solids content (fat & protein) → higher value per litre.
- Adaptable and performs well in pasture-based systems.
- Why cross with Friesian, Ayrshire, Scandinavian Red?
- Friesian improves fertility, longevity and feed efficiency.
- Scandinavian Red adds robustness, foot health and grazing suitability.
- Ayrshire improves calving interval and udder health.
🥛 Performance & Suitability
- Herd average yield: ~4,450 litres per cow/year → total annual output ~1,557,500 litres.
- Average milk constituents: 5.93% butterfat, 4.38% protein.
- Efficiency: Smaller size and lower maintenance feed requirements of Jerseys and crosses convert pasture more efficiently.
- Health, fertility, longevity: Cross-breeding enhances functional traits, essential for pasture-based systems.
- Grazing adaptation: Jerseys and Jersey-based crosses excel in forage utilisation, body condition maintenance and seasonal adaptability.
❤️ Key Cow Stats For Our Herd
- Milking cows: ~350.
- Average yield per cow: ~4,450 litres/year.
- Milk constituents: 5.93% butterfat, 4.38% protein.
- Youngstock: ~100 in-calf heifers + ~100 calves.
- Breed composition: predominantly Jersey and Jersey crosses.
- Functional traits emphasised: fertility, health, longevity, forage conversion efficiency.
🌱 Why Grass-Based Dairy & Our Sustainability Approach
- Soil health & carbon sequestration: Grasslands capture carbon, enhance soil organic matter and improve biodiversity.
- Reduced reliance on imported feed/inputs: Maximise home-grown forage → less concentrate/soya → fewer emissions.
- Lower environmental footprint per litre of milk: Grazing systems reduce methane per litre and require fewer external inputs.
- Animal welfare and health: Access to pasture improves hoof, udder, fertility and overall cow wellbeing.
Biodiversity, landscape & public good: Pasture-based dairies contribute to open landscapes, diverse swards and wildlife habitats.
🐄 Why the Jersey Breed & Cross-Breed Strategy Works for Us
- Jerseys: Smaller size, high milk solids, efficient, adaptable to pasture.
- Cross-breeding: Enhances fertility, longevity, health and functional traits.
- Grass-based system: Jerseys and crosses convert forage efficiently, maintain body condition and are robust in seasonal variation.