Farmer Focus: Messrs Andrew Love, Bridge of Aird Farm, Stranraer
The Love family are celebrating 100 years at Bridge of Aird in 2026, with four generations having farmed there since 1926. Today, Andy and Christine Love, alongside their daughter Kayleigh, milk 130 cows, and have developed a system centred around producing milk from healthy, well-managed cows grazed outdoors for as much of the summer as possible.
Rather than increasing cow numbers, the family chose to focus on adding value to the milk they already produce by developing direct sales to local customers. This diversification journey began in late 2021 with the installation of a milk vending machine on the farm, following investment in pasteurising equipment and processing facilities.
The family began milk recording with CIS Regional Manager Elizabeth Brown around eight years ago when Johne's testing became mandatory. They have found that insights from monthly milk recording provide a valuable tool, as the results highlight which cows in the herd are performing best to select which will be bred for replacements, while the rest of the herd is bred to beef. The results are also used to keep an eye on cell count problems.
Milk sold through the vending machine is pasteurised using a low-temperature, long-time process and remains non-homogenised, helping retain natural flavour and protein quality. Alongside fresh milk sales, the farm now offers a range of milkshakes, as well as home baking and local produce through additional vending machines. Milk is also supplied to several local businesses.
On average, around 230 litres of milk are sold daily through the vending machine, accounting for approximately 5-10% of the farm’s total milk production. Last year, the farm produced 1.2 million litres of milk, with the majority supplied to Lactalis for cheese production.
Maintaining high milk quality remains a key priority for the business. The herd currently averages a milk yield of 8,871 kg, 4.2% butterfat and 3.4% protein, levels that are important both for cheese production and for enhancing the flavour and creaminess of milk sold directly to customers. The herd currently has a calving interval of 381 days,
Cows are milked twice daily through a 12-a-side swingover parlour installed in 2007. Nutrition is carefully managed with diets designed to complement homegrown forage and maintain milk quality throughout the year.
The CIS PregCheck Service is also used on the farm as the only method of pregnancy diagnosis. Checking everything over 40 days served at each monthly milk recording. They find the PregCheck service very reliable and like that it is non-intrusive and a job done as part of milk recording, so there's no need to pull cows out for separate vet visits. Johne's testing is carried out quarterly, with other ad hoc health tests done as needed.
Grazing is an important part of the system during summer months, and during winter housing, cows are kept in cubicles fitted with mattresses and bedded twice daily with sawdust. Automatic scrapers maintain clean slats, while cubicles are regularly treated to support udder health and hygiene.
Technology also plays a valuable role within the business. Genus pedometers are used to monitor activity and improve AI timing and overall herd performance. Andy uses the Benchmarking feature on the CIS YourHerd website to keep an eye on how they are performing against similar herds.
Calving takes place all year round, with heifers calving at 26 months of age. Sexed semen is used for the replacement heifers, while the remainder of the herd is bred to beef sires to provide an additional income stream. British Blue and Aberdeen-Angus genetics are used, with calves sold through Ayr market at around four weeks of age.
Looking ahead, the Love family aim to continue improving herd performance while further developing the diversification side of the business. With limited acreage available, the focus remains on maximising value from the milk produced, maintaining a manageable herd size, and continuing to supply high-quality local products supported by strong consumer demand.
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