The World’s Most Expensive Cow

When a trio of investors bought Missy the cow for a record-setting $1.2 million at an auction at Toronto’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, outsiders gained
a glimpse into the arcane world of elite livestock breeding. Whether it’s the width of her hips or the protein content of her milk, Missy excels. “She’s got the total package,” says Michael Hutjens, a dairy specialist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Missy’s value is enhanced by the likelihood that she will pass those excellent genes on to generations of offspring. Any male calves will be especially valuable for their sperm. Within the next seven years, dairy farmers expect that there could be 60 to 75 cattle carrying Missy’s genes.
1. Udder: The preferred width is at least 8 inches. A cow with strong ligaments supporting the udder is less likely to get a mammary gland infection because its udder is farther from the ground.
2. Teats: Dairy farmers prefer that the teats of dairy cows fit into milking machines—they should be perpendicular to the floor and have a cylindrical shape. Missy’s milk makes more cheese per volume because it’s so protein-rich.
3. Legs: The width between Missy’s rear legs is important because it allows room for the udder; the wide space between her front legs indicates a large chest cavity, a sign of a healthy heart.