WITH MILK prices currently way below the cost of production, finding another source of income is critical for many dairy farmers.

For Holstein enthusiasts, Andrew and Alison Bunting, concentrating on pedigree genetics has provided an opportunity to do just that.

Venturing down that route is by no means an easy option though, and it requires investment of both time and money. But, the couple are ambitious and not afraid to invest in the future, using their knowledge of the breed to acquire some of the best bloodlines around.

“We’re getting 21p a litre for our milk, which is less than when we started in 2001. We don’t have the scope to increase production, so if we can make up the price by selling good genetics, then the extra work is well worthwhile,” said Andrew, who moved from Northern Ireland to Midtown Farm, New Abbey, just outside Dumfries, in 1991.

Although the family had been dairy producers across the water, the cost of quota at the time meant Andrew had to delay his dairy plans and keep beef cattle and sheep at Midtown for the first 10 years. It was after losing the sheep in the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak that they decided to sell the beef cattle and establish a dairy herd.

“We began by buying bunches of heifers from different herds, including Gordon McArthur’s Newton of Darnaway herd at Inverness, and Bryce Sloan’s Darnlaw herd, at Auchinleck, and also at the H and H and Norton and Brooksbank Club sales” said Andrew.

Once the numbers were built up, they focussed on the pedigree side and bought some select individuals, including Skyhigh Durham Dellia at the Genetic Elite Sale in 2005, which went on to score VG88 as a two-year-old; Riverdane Talent Sara Red VG87, for 5500gns at the 2006 X-Factor sale; Smiddiehill Dundee Liza and Denmire Shottle Marie, which were both bought at 10,000gns and scored VG86 and VG85 as two-year-olds, respectively. 

Other notable purchases include a Terrason heifer out of the Ex95 Charles Mania, bought at the Cheviotview dispersal sale, which has just scored Ex90, one month fresh on her third lactation, and Villavale Capri Tara, an 89-point three-year-old nominated All Britain Junior Heifer in milk 2006, purchased at the Smiddiehill dispersal sale that has just scored Ex93 fresh on her fourth lactation.

The couple have bought a few at Ridgefield sales, including a Skychief grand-daughter of the famous Smiddiehill Jed Erle, which recently scored VG88 in her second, and a Progress heifer out of Benville Mason Natalma Ex90, which went VG86 and bred a Talent daughter that scored 87 points as a two-year-old.