Farmer Focus: R & A McKinley, Dumfries & Galloway

Andrew and his parents run a herd of 200 British Friesians in Closeburn, Dumfries and Galloway. Some of the cow families in the closed herd trace back over 30 years. The farm extends to 440 acres, all in grass, and milk is sold to First Milk on a cheese contract therefore the focus is on constituents rather than yield. The all-year-round calving herd is currently achieving 7,400 litres, 4.97% butterfat and 3.46% protein. 

With a 395-day calving interval Andrew breeds his own replacements from the top of the herd, with the rest bred to Aberdeen Angus. Sexed semen has been used in the herd for 11-plus years in the top percent on fertility and longevity, as they are looking to breed from trouble-free cows. More recently, they have started to trial some cross-breeding, using Normande and MRI as they are in line with the dual-purpose traits of the British Friesians. British Friesians are noted for good herd health and longevity so the aim is to galvanise this through hybrid vigour, making the herd more sustainable.

A set stocking rate grazing system is run aiming to graze day and night between April and November, weather permitting, with grass silage fed when inside. In addition, a dairy compound is fed to yield in their 24/24 herringbone parlour twice a day. It is aimed to make the most of the grass that can be grown on the farm and to ensure they are sustainably farming the land.

The McKinleys only started milk recording due to a grant they utilised in 2017 but wouldn’t be without the service now. Recording quarterly, the benefits of milk recording come in several forms but the biggest Andrew feels is the free-to-use MobileHerd App, which he uses continually throughout the day on his phone to do everything from adding calving’s to checking information on cows bulling.

“MobileHerd is a real-life changer when I downloaded the app onto my phone.  It means I can add everything as it happens, and I don’t have to remember it or sit down to do computer work when getting in the house at night”, adds Andrew. 

Andrew uses the milk recording data to select which cows can be dried off without antibiotics by checking their last three cell counts. Approximately 85% of the herd is now dried off without unnecessary antibiotics and saving money on animal health bills. They also test a sample of the herd for Johnes on an annual basis as part of their milk recording. The CIS PregCheck service is utilised within the herd, testing all cows within a set window at each recording. Andrew likes the service as it is non-intrusive, simple and saves time and work on the farm as it just happens as part of the recording service.

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