Milk Yield & Dairy Profitability Calculator
Estimate annual milk yield, revenue, and profit per cow for UK dairy breeds
Input Details
Holstein-Friesian
Highest-yielding UK dairy breed — dominant in commercial herds
Annual yield: 9,500 litres
Fat: 3.9%
Protein: 3.2%
Annual Yield per Cow
9,500
litres
Peak Daily Yield
49.8
litres/day (est.)
Total Herd Annual Yield
190.0k litres
20 cows
Tanker Loads
7.6
@ 25,000 L per load
Profit per Cow per Year
£1680.00
Total herd: £33600.00 profit
Margin per Litre
17.68p
Break-even Price
26.32p/litre
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Per Cow | Total Herd |
|---|---|---|
| Feed costs | £2000.00 | £40000.00 |
| Other costs | £500.00 | £10000.00 |
| Total costs | £2500.00 | £50000.00 |
| Cost of production | 26.32p/litre | |
At 3.9% fat and 3.2% protein, this breed produces Holstein-Friesian milk. UK processors typically pay bonuses for fat >4% and protein >3.3%.
UK average farm-gate milk price (April 2025): 43.69p/litre. Cost of production estimate: ~37.4p/litre (AHDB, 2024). Current margin across the industry is tight — many farms operating below 5p/litre margin.
Notes
- •Yield figures are breed averages for well-managed UK herds. Individual cow performance varies by genetics, nutrition, health, and management.
- •Feed and other costs are estimates — actual costs depend heavily on your system (grazing vs housed, organic vs conventional).
- •Peak daily yield is estimated at approximately 60% above the daily average, typically reached 4–8 weeks after calving.