Chris and Susan Elmes farm 170 acres close to the town of Swindon, England. The Swallowdale herd was established in 1986 and a successful breeding programme has made continuing improvement selecting sires mainly from America and Canada with an emphasis on type and conformation . The herd is 95% Good Plus and better. Nine cows are multiple EX and there are now 15 EX; 54VG, 47GP. Sixteen star brood cows have been bred. Champion small herd in 5 of the last 6 years Holstein South & Wiltshire herd competitions, and won Best Heifer in 2008. Dairy Champion Surrey County Show 2010.
The herd calves all year round to sell milk to Cadburys on a level profile.
Bull calves are sold, the heifers reared either to sell or to join the herd. Only very special bull calves are reared and sold for breeding.