Three-way crossbreeding delivers a resilient bottom line

Sophie and Dai Wilson milk 360 VikingGoldenCross cows in a spring-calving system at Starveall Farm, near Bishopstone, Wiltshire, in the UK.

As new dairy entrants Sophie and Dai admit they lost their way with genetics shortly after establishing their contract farming enterprise in 2019.

Originally, the Wilsons started with a British Friesian herd and imported additional Friesian-type heifers from Ireland. One concern was beef calf value, so they started using a Montbéliarde bull to improve the calf size and later introduced Norwegian Red. 

However, the cows became too large for their organic, grass-based system. Crossbreeding with VikingGenetics turned out to be the solution they needed.

“Joanna from VikingGenetics listened and understood what we are trying to achieve,” says Dai. 

“VikingGenetics has helped us get back on the right path, and we now have a clear breeding goal. I feel like we are building a plan for the future, not just choosing bulls,” adds Sophie.

The Wilsons have been impressed by the vigour and survivability of the 2023 crop of VikingJersey-cross calves.

“They were easy calving, and we haven’t lost a single calf. It feels like a much more appropriate cross for our system and will provide us with a smaller-framed cow with good milk solids that are hardier for outwintering,” she highlights.