Markus Lang’s Dairy Success Through Better Genetics

This article was originally published in The Weekly Times Australia on June 10, 2026

Author: Rachel Simmonds

A choice to prioritise genetics 15 years ago has ensured Markus Lang’s dairy herd is a standout.

Markus manages about 1300 milking cows across two properties at Tatura, with his wife Morgan and their three children aged eight, five, and 10 months.

Their now predominantly Holstein herd started a transformation 15 years ago when the Lang family shifted to using VikingGenetics, a co-operative aimed at using science-based genetics to improve herds.

“Like a lot of people at the time, we were using Jerseys over Holsteins for calving ease and we were looking at trying to breed the animal we wanted,” Markus said.

“We ideally wanted Holsteins for our herd, in hindsight something was going wrong if we couldn’t use Holsteins over Holsteins.”

The family started using sexed semen on heifers, and Markus believed the data could more reliably predict calving ease. The Langs finished this year’s autumn calving, from both heifers and cows, with 300 calves, and only pulled two calves.

“We’d be up every night watching cows calving and we’re at the point now we’ll check cows at 9pm and not go back until 5am, and have confidence everything is fine,” Markus said.

“I used to be there intervening all the time, partially because we felt we needed to.”

The standout now is the herd quality.

“Years ago we’d pick a handful of standouts and now you pick out a handful that aren’t quite up to it,” Markus said.

The family farm was formerly Lang Dairies with his father Werner and brother Phil, before Markus and Phil split the farm between their Eight Mile Ag and Q Milk businesses respectively.

Markus’ parents first emigrated to Australia from Switzerland 40 years ago and established the dairy operation.

In the picture: Markus Lang with brother Phil and father Werner

Photo by Zoe Phillips / Newspix

“Everything is looking ideal now.”

Markus said they managed large herds with low replacement rates, at 17 per cent, and focused on longevity, fertility and production.

“For us, the difference between a 17 per cent and 25 per cent is a good 10c/kg milk solids in cost of production in just needing replacements,” he said.

“We’ve got a balanced herd that’s robust, and do what they need to do.”

This year is Markus’ first year on his own operating as Eight Mile Ag with two dairies across 1050ha, with half leased from his parents.

They grow their own fodder, buy in grain and grow broadacre crops including vetch and wheat this year to manage a potentially drier season. Markus’ short-term outlook includes upgrading irrigation infrastructure and the two dairies.

“As I get more comfortable fodder reserves I’ll dabble a bit more in the cash cropping side,” Markus said.

But he said the season’s start had been “wonderful” with a hefty downpour in February to set them up for winter.

“With the warm temperatures we’ve had grass growth above average, we’ve had 45mm in the past week,” he said.

“Everything is looking ideal now.”

For us, the difference between a 17 per cent and 25 per cent is a good 10c/kg milk solids in cost of production in just needing replacements. We’ve got a balanced herd that’s robust, and do what they need to do.

Markus Lang,
Managing about 1,300 milking cows, Tatura, Australia

Copyright and Publication Notice

This article was originally published in The Weekly Times Australia on June 10, 2026 and is republished here with permission under a licensed content agreement.

Author: Rachel Simmonds

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