Results from the Langhill Dairy Cattle Research Centre (a joint venture between the Scottish Agricultural College and the University of Edinburgh) have confirmed that cows with a high genetic index for fat plus protein are more efficient (ME in milk divided by ME in feed) and more profitable (margin over food costs) than low index cows (Simm et al 1991a). Although food is one of the major costs of production it is important to monitor the consequences of selecting solely for fat plus protein yield on other costs, such as health and reproduction as well. This paper includes further results from a project supported by the Hoistein Friesian Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The aim of the study reported here is to examine the contribution which pedigree index, liveweight and linear type traits make to the prediction of margin over food, health and reproduction costs of individual cows.