The Langhill breeding experiment was established in the early 1970s and still continues to operate at the SRUC Dairy Research Centre at Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries.
The Langhill study is the longest running genetic selection trial worldwide. The Langhill cow herd was established in 1973 and was designed to accommodate two equally sized genetic selection lines (around 100 cows each). These included a ‘control line’, consisting of daughters of sires of average genetic merit available in the UK, and a ‘select line’, sired by high genetic merit bulls for milk component (fat and protein) yield.
We have closely monitored all animals on the farm and have recorded individual data on a continuous basis in order to examine the impact of selecting for increased milk component yield on overall cow performance.