Why should I genomically test my herd?
It’s the cost effective way to optimise breeding outcomes for your dairy herd.
Genomic testing your dairy herd offers a powerful tool to optimise your breeding strategy by accurately identifying your top-performing cows.
By leveraging precise genetic insights, you can:
- Optimise your sexed and beef strategy by precisely identifying your best breeding crop
- Ensure higher profitability and easier management with your home bred “elite” heifers
- Reduce costs and environmental impact while increasing your profit potential through your herd’s enhanced genetics
- Improved herd genetics reduce costs by boosting efficiency and resilience, driving long-term sustainability
- Simple services combined with industry wide results access make NMR genomics services the go to for flexible management.
Interested?
Call our friendly customer support team on 03330 043043 or email genomics@nmrp.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
But don’t just take our word for it! Read what these NMR customers have to say about how genomics improved their herd's health and productivity.
Intrigued? Call our friendly customer support team on 03330 043043
Rhys Davies, Flintshire
“Cubicle and feed space have determined our direction of travel. Milking numbers are restricted, which means that each cow must be a big producer.
We look for solids per cow as opposed to solids per hectare and so breed cows to suit the system, focusing on black and white genetics, aiming for uniform cattle, averaging 600kgLW, and capable of producing 623kg of milk solids.
Being able to select and rear heifers capable of achieving this and speed up the rate of genetic gain has been important to us, and so this is where genomics comes in.”
The benefits of genomic testing illustrated
Interested?
Call our friendly customer support team on 03330 043043 or email genomics@nmrp.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Tom Percy, Dorset
“You can’t tell how good a heifer is by looking at her. She may appear to be a cracking animal and classify well, but when you get her in the parlour she just doesn’t come up with the goods. Then you look at her genomic test results and it all makes sense. It’s been interesting to see how accurately the genomic tests stack up.
Our heifers have done just what the proof said they would. The increased reliability compared with the old parent averages is pretty easy to see.
It’s not cheap to rear heifers, so we need to know we’re rearing the right ones for our herd.”
Genomic-tested herds 'stride out'
Read the article about genomic testing on Tom Percy's farm here
How does it work?
A tissue sampling unit (TSU) delivers the best results for on farm accuracy and successful lab sample completion; the TSU allows you to take a tiny ear notch from any animal of any age, using either a standalone TSU or as part of the official tag pair.
The genotype is generated by DNA extraction and processing; it is then submitted to AHDB Dairy and Egenes who generate individual genomic evaluation data focussed on health, production, fertility, PLI and type.
NMR’s own ear tag supplier Nordic Star can provide tags, FREE postage and packing and can arrange the testing and reporting for you.
Results are reported 6-8 weeks later via Herd Companion and the inGENEious selection tool.
Who will help me decide what to do?
NMR can recommend a breeding consultant who will visit your farm and talk you through the results and advise you what you can do to help your herd meet your milk buyer’s requirements.
Select and breed to meet your herd’s needs
Production
Longevity
Efficiency
Breeding decisions
Health
£PLI
What's the process?
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3
- Call NMR and order by line number or ear tag ID
- Collect samples using NMR genotype tag or Tissue Sampling Unit (TSU) and attach barcode to the sample sheet.
- Keep samples cool and post back to NMR in the pre-paid envelope.
Interested?
Call our friendly customer support team on 03330 043043 or email genomics@nmrp.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
