In view of the major changes taking place concerning the buying and selling of milk and milk products this is an appropriate time to consider ways and means to manipulate milk components. The replacement of the Milk Marketing Boards by voluntary co-operatives and the potential changes in the pricing of milk together with changes in consumer demand raises questions over breeding objectives in relation to the emphasis on milk, fat and protein.

The total cow population in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1992 was 4.38 million of which 2.68 million were dairy cows. Prior to 1984 when quotas were introduced cow numbers remained relatively static over a period of 25 years. Since 1984 cow numbers have decreased steadily from 3.3 million to 2.68 million. The major dairy breeds together with their average yields and composition are shown in Table 1.