How Molly Westwood built a profitable Holstein breeding program through Red White genetics specialization, achieving Master Breeder status and global embryo sales success.
Molly Westwood is one of the dairy industry’s most inspiring young breeders, transforming childhood passion into a globally recognized breeding program. From humble beginnings on a non-pedigreed farm to developing one of the UK’s most elite Red & White Holstein herds, Panda Holsteins is jointly owned in partnership with Molly and her father Andrew exemplifies how dedication, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to breeding principles can create extraordinary results. Her unique business model focusing exclusively on elite genetics rather than milk production has established her as a pioneer in specialized breeding, with her animals’ securing championships across the UK and her embryos in demand worldwide. This is the story of a young breeder who, through calculated risks and meticulous breeding decisions, has revolutionized perceptions of Red & White Holsteins while building a sustainable business that continues to shape the future of Holstein genetics.
From Farm Girl to Visionary Breeder
Growing up on a non-pedigreed dairy farm in the northern UK, Molly Westwood developed an early connection with cattle that would shape her future. “I have always had a passion for helping my dad at a young age on the farm,” Molly recalls. “Despite being a commercial herd, he always used the best bulls and ensured the cows were looked after like queens; you look after the cows, and they will look after you.”
Even as a young girl, Molly was learning valuable lessons that would form the foundation of her breeding philosophy. She remembers coming home from school and cleaning cubicle beds for her father, who instilled in her a commitment to excellence: “You make sure you clean those beds like it was your own- if it’s not good enough for you, it’s not good enough for the cows.” This guiding principle continues to influence her approach to cattle care today.
The pivotal moment in Molly’s journey came at age 14 when she received a Christmas present that would change her life: a pedigree heifer named Honesberie Charles Gem. “This was the start of my passion for the pedigree world!” she explains. By the following summer, Molly had halter broken Gem, learned how to clip, and convinced her parents to let her enter shows.
This first taste of showing ignited something in Molly that couldn’t be extinguished. She soon helped convert the family’s commercial herd into a registered pedigree operation, with the dual purpose of potentially showing homebred animals and adding value to the cattle they cared for so deeply.
Canadian Education: The Making of a Breeder
Recognizing that achieving her ambitious goals would require gaining experience beyond her family’s farm, Molly boldly decided at just 16 years old to travel to Alberta, Canada. “As soon as I had a taste of competition with my ‘show calf Gem,’ I wanted to breed the best and become a breeder recognized worldwide one day,” she explains. “I knew I had to work hard and take any opportunities I could find.”
A family friend, Chris Parry, offered her a position at Morsan Farms, one of the world’s premier Holstein operations. After finishing school and working briefly at a local pub to save money for her flight, Molly embarked on her Canadian adventure.
This was no small undertaking for someone who described herself as a “home girl” who “never went to friends’ houses, never answered the phone and was always very shy.” But as Molly notes, “Having a connection with cows, I knew I was going to be just fine!”
Her four years at Morsan Farms provided invaluable experience working with world-class animals and learning from industry leaders. “I remain eternally grateful to the Thalen & Parry families,” Molly reflects. “I headed to Canada as a young girl, inexperienced in many ways. But the time over there helped me develop and shape into a young lady who knew exactly what I wanted to do with a little more experience on her belt.”
This formative period allowed her to work with some of the finest Holstein cattle in the world, which fueled her ambition to breed animals of similar caliber. More importantly, she developed the skills, connections, and vision to guide her in establishing her operation.
The Birth of Panda Holsteins
The foundation of Panda Holsteins traces back to a specific cow that captured Molly’s attention during her time in Canada: Stoneden Fools Gold Red. One evening, Molly’s boss drove her to Morsan’s heifer barns to help unload some new arrivals, including a heavily pregnant Fools Gold.
“This incredibly balanced heifer with a super wide rump was the type I’d always try and breed in the future,” Molly recalls. What made this cow especially valuable was her unique VRC gene, which allowed for breeding reds from top black and white bulls – creating the opportunity for genuinely distinctive offspring.
After watching Fools Gold calve and develop at Morsan, Molly’s appreciation for this special cow grew stronger. Before returning to the UK, she purchased five embryos from Fools Gold bred to a sire of her choice. These embryos were sent home ahead of her return and implanted following her specific instructions.
When Molly returned to the UK for good, she was thrilled to discover that all five embryos had resulted in pregnancies. “The first calf born was a red heifer- I thought I had hit the jackpot!” she remembers. This red heifer, whom she named “Lexy,” was followed by two black heifers (“Ally” and “Alexa”) and two bulls (one red and one black).
Molly kept the red heifer at home that summer while showing the two black sisters. These heifers became remarkably successful in the show ring, taking top honors at major national events, including the National All Breeds All Britain Calf Show and National Dairy Event.
This initial success with the Fools Gold offspring demonstrated Molly’s eye for quality and validated her breeding approach. The three original heifers scored VG88-3Yr, EX90-4Yr & EX93-2E 5Yr, with Lexy (the red Alexander) calving out at VG88-2yr and achieving significant show success.
Establishing a Unique Business Model
Unlike conventional dairy operations, Molly envisioned a different path for Panda Holsteins. “I have never wanted to milk hundreds of cows!” she emphasizes. “I love working with animals and seeing progression from my input, breeding & developing the best Holstein Genetics has always been my herd slogan.”
After two years of planning applications, securing mortgages, and developing business plans, Molly built a barn to facilitate her vision of selling top-end Red & White genetics. She created a business model that didn’t rely on milk production as the primary income source, making her operation stand out in the dairy industry.
“Our bank had never seen a five-year business plan like mine,” she reveals. “Throughout the meetings, I had to explain that I was not a typical dairy farmer – and Panda Holstein’s income does not rely on fluctuating milk prices.” Despite these challenges, Molly secured her first loan at 23 years old and began expanding her business.
The initial model involved calving 30 commercial heifers each year, selling them freshly calved to target the top end of the commercial market. These recipient heifers are purchased in groups from high-health farms, with a quick 12-month turnover to reduce costs. Meanwhile, Molly focused on flushing her pedigree animals to develop her genetic lines more quickly, produce embryos for implanting, and generate embryo sales.
This approach allowed her to invest in one new cow family yearly through embryo purchases, maintaining growth and staying at the forefront of the breeding business. She looks for “the special hidden gem nobody has over-marketed, one I can add value to and most importantly is different.”
Adapting and Evolving: 2020-2025
The COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit prompted Molly to reevaluate her business strategy. Before these disruptions, she was selling 80% of her embryos and elite animals to European markets, but anticipated difficulties with livestock exports after Brexit led her to adapt her approach.
“We had been extremely successful with our show calves and the few cows we had calved in at home, but I felt I had only scratched the surface proving our genetics,” Molly explains. “I wanted to show the longevity, ability to milk, and solid brood cows we were producing.”
In 2022, after selling one of her best show cows to Europe (Panda Pure Gold Red, nicknamed “Goldie”), Molly reinvested the proceeds to build a dedicated calf barn for rearing calves on milk. The following year, she expanded her facilities to accommodate milking cows and invested in a second-hand Delaval robot.
By 2024, Molly had completed these ambitious facility upgrades, creating the capacity to milk 30 show cows housed in deep straw-bedded comfort cubicles with spacious loafing areas. The barn includes specialized areas for heat pens, flushing/IVF procedures, hoof trimming, calving, and even separate isolation facilities for bought-in recipients or export requirements.
This evolution has diversified Panda Holsteins’ income streams to include milk production from 30 cows (with 30% being flushed or receiving IVF annually), continued sales of 20-25 heifers yearly (ranging from calves to freshly calved animals), 10-15 recipient heifer sales annually, and increased global embryo sales.
The refined business model has reduced pressure on livestock exports while allowing Molly’s nucleus herd to mature and demonstrate her cow families’ longevity and breeding prowess.
Sustainable Genetic Breeding and Robotic Efficiency
Molly’s 2023 investment in a second-hand DeLaval robot to milk her show cows allowing her to maintain her commitment to milking show cows three times daily without requiring additional labor – critical for maintaining udder health in her elite animals while supporting her embryo production goals.
The barn’s design prioritizes efficiency the use of a robot milking system as by housing her 30 milking cows in deep straw-bedded comfort cubicles with spacious loafing areas, she maintains optimal conditions for both show preparation and reproductive performance.
Integrating technology with specialized breeding creates a sustainable model that maximizes genetic progress while minimizing resource requirements. The robotic milking system allows Molly to maintain consistent routines for her show animals while freeing time for the breeding and marketing activities that drive Panda Holsteins’ success.
The Red & White Distinction
One of the most distinctive aspects of Panda Holsteins is its specialization in Red & White Holstein genetics, with 95% of the herd being either Red or Red Carrier. This focus stems from Molly’s personal preference and strategic market positioning.
“I have always loved R&W’s; they are the minority of the Holstein breed but can compete against the B&W’s on so many levels!” Molly states. “I love topping the B&W classes with a red!”
When asked about the perception challenges surrounding Red & White cattle, Molly recounts, “Somebody once said to me, ‘Red Holsteins are no good, they don’t give any milk, and they are non-comparable to the Black & White’s.’ Well, I love to prove people wrong!”
This determination to demonstrate the quality of Red & White genetics has paid off, with Molly noting the increasing popularity of Reds worldwide. Her Fools Gold lineage has achieved remarkable success in international show circuits, with descendants competing successfully across multiple countries.
The Fools Gold family gave Molly a unique advantage in this specialized market through its VRC gene, allowing her to “use the best B&W genetics to produce a Red animal still.” This approach has proven successful, with Panda Holsteins breeding and developing 9 Excellent and 41 Very Good females under the Panda prefix within eight years.
Elite Cow Families and Breeding Successes
The Fools Gold family remains central to Panda Holsteins’ success, with multiple generations of champions tracing back to those original embryos. After the initial success with Lexy, Ally, and Alexa, Molly flushed Lexy to Mr Atwood Brokaw, retrieving 32 grade A embryos. This allowed her to sell her first embryos abroad and implant her first home-grown embryos.
This line flourished, producing the 2018 All Britain R&W Champion, Panda Heart of Gold Red, who later became the National UK Dairy Day R&W Champion. After taking a flush from “Hearty” by Wilt Emilio and keeping her red natural calf by Crushabull, Molly sold her to Slatabogie Holsteins in Northern Ireland.
The success continued with “Hearty” scoring EX92 8* at her new home and four of her five Emilio daughters becoming EX cows. The Crushabull daughter Molly kept, “Goldie,” followed in her dam’s footsteps by winning top honors at the National UK Dairy Day and becoming the 2022 All Britain Champion R&W 2-Year-Old.
After “Goldie” was sold to an international syndicate and moved to Italy, Molly focused on developing her red Lambda daughter, Panda Lamborghini Red. This heifer calved late in the summer of 2023 and won her class at the 2024 National UK Dairy Day, becoming the fourth consecutive generation of this family to win at this prestigious show.
Today, Lexy has produced 13 VG or EX classified daughters and 23 VG or EX granddaughters housed in over seven countries, earning her status as a 14* star brood cow.
Beyond the Fools Gold family, Panda Holsteins has developed several other notable cow families. Panda Autumn O’Kalibra Red EX95-3E is one of the operation’s top brood cows, completing over 80,000kg of milk across six lactations. As a granddaughter of World Champion Decruzas Iron O’Kalibra EX97, she has proven herself both in the show ring and as a brood cow, with all nine of her daughters classified VG/EX and numerous show successes among her offspring.
Perhaps most remarkable is Panda’s work with Golden-rose Jordy Rita Red, who became the first animal in the world to complete 21 generations of Excellent classification in 2023. Molly’s strategic investment in this line demonstrates her commitment to calculated risks and long-term thinking.
Daily Operations and Management Philosophy
For Molly, running Panda Holsteins means embracing a demanding schedule that begins at 5:30 AM when she heads straight to the barn. Her morning routine involves feeding heifers and calves on milk, cleaning the milking beds, checking the robot, and completing various barn chores until around 9 AM.
After breakfast, she shifts to her role as UK manager for Blondin Sires, spending the hours until 4 PM handling orders, communicating with customers and sales representatives, and designing advertising materials. She returns to barn chores by late afternoon until 6-7 PM.
Evenings might find her researching potential acquisitions through sale catalogs, social media, show reports, or genomic updates. At 10 PM, she performs one final check on the cows and prepares for bed around 11-11:30 PM. However, her day often extends into the night for calving checks, as she insists on being present for every birth. She emphasizes, “1 loss is a huge one for me, so I must ensure every calve has a safe arrival.”
This intensive management reflects Molly’s connection to each animal in her care and her commitment to maximizing their potential – a lesson she learned during her formative years in Canada.
Breeding Philosophy and Selection Process
Molly’s approach to breeding stands out for its emphasis on corrective mating rather than chasing fashionable trends. “Corrective mating is key and pays off in the long run,” she insists. This philosophy has resulted in animals that top conformation and PTAT rankings while maintaining balanced, functional traits.
When evaluating potential embryo purchases or planning matings, Molly prioritizes “deep cow families of balanced sire stacks, something different that I can add value to.” Her selection process involves careful monitoring of specific lines over extended periods before making investment decisions.
“I don’t specifically go out to look for something I can invest in; I follow lines and females for years until I make any investment,” she explains. “I only invest if it adds to our portfolio; I see no point investing in something with the same target market as something else at home.”
This thoughtful, patient approach allows her to anticipate market trends and identify opportunities others might overlook. “Over the years, I see fashion and trends change, which is why it’s always important to look at what the future customer will want,” Molly notes, adding that she prefers finding “that unique line” rather than investing in heavily marketed cow families.
Recognition and Achievements
Molly’s dedication and innovative approach have earned her significant recognition within the agricultural community. In 2017, she was named Young Farmer of the Year at the Food & Farming Industry Awards, a prestigious honor presented at the House of Commons.
Holstein UK nominated Molly for this award, recognizing her dedication to promoting the breed and establishing Panda Holsteins as an emerging global name. Simon Lewis, Farm Business publisher, described her as “a deserved winner” and highlighted “the breadth and depth of talent, drive and ambition in the farming sector.”
Upon receiving the award, Molly expressed her gratitude: “I am truly honored and shocked to be awarded the Food & Farming Industry Awards Young Farmer of The Year. I would like to thank Holstein UK for nominating me. I also want to thank any fellow Holstein UK or HYB members and my family who have helped me along the way.”
Miriam Bagley, Events & National HYB Coordinator for Holstein UK, praised Molly’s accomplishments: “What Molly has achieved with Panda Holsteins is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She is a great ambassador for the Holstein breed and HYB and is always keen to get involved with the Society’s events and awards.”
Last year, Molly received another significant recognition when she was awarded Master Breeder status, which she describes as “one of my greatest achievements, proving the families I have invested in over the past 10 years have stood the testing times.”
Mentorship and Community Involvement
Throughout her journey, Molly has benefited from the guidance of several key mentors. Chris Parry played an instrumental role in her early development, teaching her about bull proofs and breeding, lending her the clippers she still uses today, and ultimately providing the opportunity to work at Morsan Farms.
However, she identifies her parents, Andrew and Sharon, as her most significant influences. “Growing up in a big family, our parents always supported us in following our dreams. They taught us responsibility at a young age, work ethic, and manners,” Molly recalls.
Her father, Andrew, continues to partner with her in the business, focusing on forage production and field management, while Molly handles the cattle breeding decisions and administrative work. Her mother, who sadly passed away from Motor Neurone Disease last year, was her “biggest supporter,” encouraging her through show travels and celebrating her successes.
Molly also emphasizes the importance of organizational involvement in her development. As a member of Holstein UK and Holstein Young Breeders groups, she has consistently engaged with these communities to learn, network, and develop her skills.
She strongly recommends that young breeders join HYB, calling it “the best organization to learn, meet new people, and develop skills from some of the best in the industry.” Importantly, Molly also believes in giving back, making time to teach clipping, showing, and judging skills to younger members, recognizing that “they are the future, and the way I see it, they could be future customers!”
Overcoming Challenges
Building Panda Holsteins from scratch presented numerous challenges that required resilience and adaptability. Initially, Molly faced obstacles in establishing her brand and reputation. “Starting from scratch, you start as a ‘nobody,'” she reflects, noting that achieving her dreams and ambitions required exceptional dedication.
Securing financial backing for her unconventional business model presented another significant hurdle. Traditional lenders struggled to understand a dairy business that didn’t rely primarily on milk sales. After what she describes as “several ‘battles’ with the banks,” Molly secured her first loan at 23 and stayed within budget despite the industry experiencing a downturn.
The combination of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic created additional complications, particularly for her European export business. However, Molly demonstrated remarkable adaptability by restructuring her business model to reduce dependency on livestock exports while expanding embryo sales and developing her nucleus herd.
Disease management remains an ongoing concern, which Molly addresses through rigorous biosecurity measures. From personally transporting recipient heifers rather than trusting external haulers to bring disinfectant sprayers to shows and implementing vaccination protocols, she remains vigilant about protecting her valuable genetics.
This proactive approach to challenges exemplifies Molly’s business philosophy: “There are always challenges- some bigger than others. If you work hard, you create opportunities whether young or old, male or female.”
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Molly has ambitious plans for Panda Holsteins. Over the next five years, she aims to develop her nucleus herd of 30 cows further while leveraging females she owns across Canada and the United States to introduce new bloodlines into her program.
“Over the next 5 years, I plan to develop our nucleus herd of 30 cows at home. We own several females across Canada & the US, which will enable new blood to enter the herd, and aim to continue to invest in females through both Countries and breed females eventually over there,” Molly explains.
In the immediate future, Molly is focused on her upcoming “Pathway of Panda” sale scheduled for July 1, 2025. This event will showcase ten years of breeding, offering her best animals of all ages, with 95% of the offerings being Red or Red Carrier. Following this sale, she anticipates her numbers will be a little lower but the foundation cows will remain at Panda to reform the future of it’s elite herd.
Her long-term vision is clear and ambitious: “Long-term for Panda, we aim to have the world’s most elite R&W selection of cattle! My next goal is to breed the first EX97 R&W cow in the UK!”
This combination of concrete goals and expansive vision characterizes Molly’s approach to breeding. She balances practical, immediate objectives with longer-term aspirations that continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Holstein breeding.
The Bottom Line: A Pioneer in Specialized Breeding
Molly Westwood’s journey from cleaning cubicle beds on her family’s commercial farm to establishing Panda Holsteins as a globally recognized breeding program demonstrates how passion, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication can transform the conventional dairy model. Her specialized focus on Red & White Holstein genetics has created a sustainable business and elevated the perception and value of these cattle worldwide.
What makes Molly’s story particularly remarkable is how she has crafted a unique path in an industry often defined by tradition. Rather than replicating established approaches, she identified a specialized niche, developed an innovative business model, and consistently adapted to overcome challenges from financing to Brexit.
Her success stems from a breeding philosophy that balances patience with calculated risk-taking. By following specific lines for years before investing, prioritizing deep cow families with balanced sire stacks, and focusing on corrective mating rather than fashionable trends, Molly has developed genetics that prove their value in the show ring, classification scores, and milk production.
As Panda Holsteins celebrates its tenth anniversary, Molly Westwood stands as an inspiration to young breeders worldwide. Her journey affirms that with vision, determination, and a willingness to forge your path, it’s possible to turn dreams of breeding exceptional cattle into a thriving reality – one red heifer at a time.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Molly Westwood just shattered the “scale or fail” myth with a 30-cow operation that’s outperforming mega-dairies through strategic genetics focus. While most farmers chase volume, this 28-year-old UK breeder built Panda Holsteins into a global powerhouse by specializing in Red & White Holstein genetics, achieving 9 Excellent and 41 Very Good classifications in just eight years. Her corrective mating strategy over fashion-chasing has produced animals topping UK conformation and PTAT rankings, with 95% of her herd being Red or Red Carrier—proving minority genetics can dominate mainstream markets. The operation generates multiple revenue streams through embryo sales (previously 80% to European markets), elite animal sales, and robotic milking systems, all while maintaining biosecurity protocols that would make industrial operations envious. Her Master Breeder achievement at 28 demonstrates that strategic genetic selection trumps herd size every time—forcing us to question whether our industry’s obsession with scale is actually limiting profitability potential.
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