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Bulletin

29/08/2025

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Bulletin

29/08/2025

Sponsored content

 
 

MAKE SURE YOU INVEST IN THE BEST – THE CLOCK IS TICKING

 

Genomic testing is the cost-effective and efficient way to maximise the return on your investment in heifer rearing

 

Heifer rearing is the second biggest cost of milk production, costing between £1,800-£3,000 per animal reared according to AHDB. As a proportion of the herd needs replacing each year to maintain numbers and, ideally, improve the herd’s genetic merit, it’s vital to ensure that the most profitable and efficient animals are selected for rearing..

 

WHICH CALF IS THE BEST?

MAKE SURE YOU INVEST IN THE BEST – THE CLOCK IS TICKING

 

Genomic testing is the cost-effective and efficient way to maximise the return on your investment in heifer rearing

 

Heifer rearing is the second biggest cost of milk production, costing between £1,800-£3,000 per animal reared according to AHDB. As a proportion of the herd needs replacing each year to maintain numbers and, ideally, improve the herd’s genetic merit, it’s vital to ensure that the most profitable and efficient animals are selected for rearing..

 

WHICH CALF IS THE BEST?

 
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Just looking at the calves in the photo you can’t tell which is the best, the one which will have the most positive effect on your business. By rearing calves that don’t improve herd merit and give the best return, rearing costs will drain the investment in your future herd.

 

But if you genomically test your calves you will be able to make confident selection decisions that will ensure you are only rearing the best calves for your system, confident that they will give the best return. And the numbers (source: AHDB) prove it…

Just looking at the calves in the photo you can’t tell which is the best, the one which will have the most positive effect on your business. By rearing calves that don’t improve herd merit and give the best return, rearing costs will drain the investment in your future herd.

 

But if you genomically test your calves you will be able to make confident selection decisions that will ensure you are only rearing the best calves for your system, confident that they will give the best return. And the numbers (source: AHDB) prove it…

 
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GENOMIC TESTING WITH IGENITY® IS SIMPLE AND STRAIGHFORWARD

 

Genomic testing uses a small tissue sample, that can be taken at the same time as ear tagging, to analyse a calf’s DNA. It provides a clearer picture of her genetic potential for over 50 management, type and production traits including:

  • Milk yield
  • Fertility
  • Longevity
  • Calving ease
  • Disease resistance.

 

Animals only need to be tested once in their lifetime as their genetic potential does not change.

 

Neogen operates one of the only bovine genomics testing laboratory in the UK meaning results are back on farm faster than other services. The rapid turnaround of results which are back on farm in 2-3 weeks means you can be making informed decisions about which calves to rear at a very early stage, potentially saving on rearing costs.

 

Heifers can be ranked against each other, meaning the best animals to rear as replacements and poorer animals can be identified before too much time and money has been invested in them.

 

If you want to set your own targets and breeding objectives rather than using £PLI, then with Neogen Igenity® testing it is straightforward to create a completely customised index, ranking heifers based on the traits that matter most to your specific system.

GENOMIC TESTING WITH IGENITY® IS SIMPLE AND STRAIGHFORWARD

 

Genomic testing uses a small tissue sample, that can be taken at the same time as ear tagging, to analyse a calf’s DNA. It provides a clearer picture of her genetic potential for over 50 management, type and production traits including:

  • Milk yield
  • Fertility
  • Longevity
  • Calving ease
  • Disease resistance.

 

Animals only need to be tested once in their lifetime as their genetic potential does not change.

 

Neogen operates one of the only bovine genomics testing laboratory in the UK meaning results are back on farm faster than other services. The rapid turnaround of results which are back on farm in 2-3 weeks means you can be making informed decisions about which calves to rear at a very early stage, potentially saving on rearing costs.

 

Heifers can be ranked against each other, meaning the best animals to rear as replacements and poorer animals can be identified before too much time and money has been invested in them.

 

If you want to set your own targets and breeding objectives rather than using £PLI, then with Neogen Igenity® testing it is straightforward to create a completely customised index, ranking heifers based on the traits that matter most to your specific system.

 
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AND YOU WON'T BE ALONE

 

The uptake of genomics is growing rapidly as farmers tune in to the benefits.

  • Around 20% of heifers in milk recorded herds are genomically tested
  • In a recent survey 34% of respondents had engaged with genomic testing at some stage. Over the next two years this number is predicted to increase to 43%

AND YOU WON'T BE ALONE

 

The uptake of genomics is growing rapidly as farmers tune in to the benefits.

  • Around 20% of heifers in milk recorded herds are genomically tested
  • In a recent survey 34% of respondents had engaged with genomic testing at some stage. Over the next two years this number is predicted to increase to 43%

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Source AHDB

 

DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND

 

Now is the time to find out more about how genomic testing will benefit your farm, improving production and potentially reducing costs

 

Come and visit us at UK Dairy Day at Telford on 10th September – we are on stand H233

 

Your chance to win!

 

In livestock breeding, timing and accuracy are everything. With genomics, producers can make decisions earlier than ever — and with the precision to target the traits that matter most.

 

Put your own timing and accuracy to the test at UK Dairy Day in our stop the clock competition. Hit the mark, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher!

Source AHDB

 

DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND

 

Now is the time to find out more about how genomic testing will benefit your farm, improving production and potentially reducing costs

 

Come and visit us at UK Dairy Day at Telford on 10th September – we are on stand H233

 

Your chance to win!

 

In livestock breeding, timing and accuracy are everything. With genomics, producers can make decisions earlier than ever — and with the precision to target the traits that matter most.

 

Put your own timing and accuracy to the test at UK Dairy Day in our stop the clock competition. Hit the mark, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher!

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Whether it’s breeding for health, productivity, or efficiency, genomics is about making the right decisions at the right time.

 

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Whether it’s breeding for health, productivity, or efficiency, genomics is about making the right decisions at the right time.

 

Think you’ve got what it takes?

 
Find out more
 
British Dairying, WB Publishing Ltd
Priory Cottage, Eastbourne Road Ridgewood East Sussex TN22 5ST
WB Publishing Ltd is registered in England and Wales, Registration No 2951727
 
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British Dairying, WB Publishing Ltd
Priory Cottage, Eastbourne Road Ridgewood East Sussex TN22 5ST
WB Publishing Ltd is registered in England and Wales, Registration No 2951727
 
Unsubscribe from 3rd party emails
Unsubscribe from all emails
View online