If you’ve ever wandered through a dairy farm and marvelled at the sheer variety of cows, you might have wondered: what makes one cow more profitable than another? Is it size, strength, or something a little more nuanced?
Well, Australian dairy farmers are now getting a clearer answer, thanks to a world-first approach that’s changing the way we look at bulls—and the daughters they sire.
For years, the dairy industry has been obsessed with extremes: the tallest, the biggest, the flashiest cows. But new research and data are turning that thinking on its head.
The latest findings show that when it comes to dairy cows, moderation is the real moneymaker. In other words, cows that are ‘just right’—not too big, not too small—are the ones that keep the farm in the black.
ABS Australia, a leader in cattle genetics, has revolutionised how it evaluates and presents a bull’s ‘Type’—the physical traits their offspring are likely to inherit.
Instead of rewarding bulls that produce extreme or showy cows, ABS is now focusing on those that breed daughters with the best balance of production, health, and longevity.
This new approach is called the ‘Sweet Spot’ strategy, and it’s all about finding that Goldilocks zone where cows are most functional and profitable.
Alan Blum, an ABS Australia sales representative, explains: ‘Cows don’t lie. Their production, longevity, and health data tell us they’re more profitable and live longer if they’re moderate in stature—not too tall or too small.’
In the past, bulls with extreme traits might have been rated highly, but those extremes often led to problems: cows that were too big to be efficient, or with physical features that made milking or breeding more difficult.
So, what does a ‘moderate’ cow look like? Western Victorian dairy farmer Pat Sloane has spent the last decade breeding for cows that are healthy, productive, and built to last.
His Holstein herd is a testament to the power of moderation: strong, mid-sized cows that get in calf easily, convert feed efficiently, and keep producing milk even in tough conditions.
‘We like the black and whites,’ Pat says. ‘They’re a bit tougher, and when it’s dry, they can eat more concentrate and grains or even silage and still produce well in late lactation. But we didn’t want an overly big cow—we wanted to downsize, and we need them to get in calf and produce milk.’
It’s a philosophy that’s catching on across the industry. By focusing on cows that are ‘just right’, farmers are seeing better fertility, fewer health problems, and more consistent milk production. And that means more money in the bank.
The new ABS Australia catalogue features 27 Holstein bulls, each with a clear, easy-to-read bar graph showing where they sit on the spectrum from ‘undesirable’ to ‘ideal’ for key traits.
Instead of confusing numbers, the chart uses colours and simple rankings to show which bulls are most likely to sire daughters that hit the sweet spot for functionality, profit, and longevity.
Alan Blum says this new approach makes it much easier for farmers to select bulls that will improve their herds in practical, profitable ways.
‘The ‘Sweet Spot’ strategy is listening to the modern cows as they tell us what they should look like, then making a visual representation of what’s good for a long-lasting and profitable cow and what isn’t,’ he explains.
For years, cattle breeding was heavily influenced by show standards—what looked good in the ring, rather than what worked best in the paddock. But as the industry faces new challenges, from climate change to rising feed costs, the focus is shifting to what really matters: cows that are healthy, fertile, and efficient.
As dairy farming continues to evolve with advances in genetic research and breeding strategies, the focus on functional and profitable cattle remains a key priority for farmers. Understanding how traits influence production and longevity can help shape the future of herd management.
What are your thoughts on the ‘Sweet Spot’ approach to bull selection? Have you noticed changes in your herd’s productivity or health when selecting for moderate traits? Share your stories in the comments below.
Also read: Australian dairy farmers struggle to compete with cheap cheese imports
