Milk Development Council
Diary cows
The University of Bath has signed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the Milk Development Council to help the Council develop its knowledge of the nation’s dairy herds and of selective breeding to improve stock.
Through selective breeding it is possible to produce dairy cows that have longer productive lives, better feet, and that are less prone to mastitis. It is even possible to breed cows which will produce milk with particular characteristics – for example milk with high protein content is prized by cheese makers who will pay a premium for it.
Many farmers have a poor understanding of applying a scientific approach to breeding and the University project will help them to understand the barriers which prevent them from progressing.
