What does the UK's third-highest PLI Holstein herd discover when they test every calf born on their farm? Stuart and Helen Rogers of Longmoor Farm reveal how genomic testing transformed not just their breeding decisions, but their entire approach to dairy farming.

When the Rogers family moved their pedigree Holstein herd from Oxfordshire to Dorset in 2011, they wanted to push their genetics forward. What started with tentative use of genomic bulls evolved into a comprehensive strategy where every calf born gets genomically tested at birth. The results challenged their perceptions of which cow families were truly valuable. "The cows that you forget about in a herd are actually your really good earners," Helen explains, "the ones that aren't lame, don't get mastitis, and just do the job without you even worrying about them."

Their seven-year strategy of using sex semen on high-ranking heifers and first lactation animals while directing beef semen to the rest has yielded remarkable results. Their fertility performance outshines most farms with pregnancy rates consistently between 34-38%. Cell counts hover around 70,000, and their antibiotic usage has plummeted to just 5.6mg per PCU—about a quarter of the UK average. Perhaps most impressively, they've eliminated fat supplements from their diet while maintaining 11,500 litres at 4.5% butterfat through pure genetic selection.

For farmers considering genomic testing, the Rogers' advice is straightforward: commit fully rather than dabbling. At approximately £22 per test, the investment quickly pays dividends through improved decision-making. "It's so little money in a lifetime for a cow," Stuart notes, especially when you consider the compounding benefits across health, fertility, and production. Whether you're managing a pedigree or commercial herd, their experience demonstrates how embracing genomics can create a more balanced, resilient and profitable dairy business.

This was recorded in June 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Simon Reeves, Managing Director, Pangea Insurance joins the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with their respective businesses.

Like usual we start with Simon's background to get to where he is today as Managing Director of his own insurance brokering business.

Then we move on to discuss today's topic of how's your insurance cover?

Simon discuss how insurance companies like to win, and the advantages of having a broker on your side.

Often he finds that many people, when he first meets them, are considerably underinsured. Do you realise the risk this exposes you to?

We discuss the advantages of having a good house keeping policy to keep track of all your equipment, what happens when things go wrong and a few stories along the way.

This was recorded in July 2024, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Conner Smith, Product Lead for Diagnostic & Ruminant Specialist, Bimeda and Rachel Hayton, Vet & Research Lead, Synergy Farm Health join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with their respective businesses.

Then we move on to today's topic of Calf Immune Status, and more specifically the development of the ImmunIGY Bovine IgG Test.

We discuss how the idea of the test came about, how the product was developed from the original concept, with some dead ends along the way, to being the product it is today, available for all to use.

We don't just discuss the ImmunIGY product though, we discuss the implications of the results and what this can mean for you on farm.

This was recorded in September 2024, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Robert Morrison, Head of Farms, UK Agri-Tech Centre and Mike Jones, Dairy Technical Manager, UK Agri-Tech Centre join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with UK Agri-Tech Centre.

It's been a year since we visited the South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDDC) with Mike, and so we have a little catch up with how the herd is now doing, but it's also been a year since UK Agri-Tech Centre was formed when three agri-tech centres merged to form one single entity.

A lot has happened in that time with the SWDDC continuing to help develop new technology for the UK dairy industry. It has also received many overseas visitors at its facilities, with its opportunities for innovation having become the envy of the world, with countries looking to duplicate its model, to be able to do the same in their own countries.

This was recorded in April 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Neil Adams, former Managing Director, Promar International, joins the team.

Like usual we start with Neil's background from a small dairy farm in Shropshire, to (now retired) Managing Director of Promar International.

Then we move on to today's subject of Pursuing Wealth.

We discuss what is wealth? Is it money in the bank? Is it time with your family? Or being happy in what you do?

This was recorded in October 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Jade Toone, Key Account Manager, Buitelaar Group and Jessica Tomley, Buying Manager Livestock, Elite Beef join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds to get them to where they are today with Buitelaar Group & Elite Beef.

Then we move on to today's subject of Elite Beef.

Elite Beef is an integrated beef scheme set up in partnership between Buitelaar Group and Myton Food Group to source and supply beef into Morrisons supermarkets.

Buitelaar Group source and rear the calves, before going to Elite Beef Scheme members, where the animals are grown and finished ready for slaughter and then sale, and consumption, from Morrisons Supermarkets.

We discuss some of the different schemes available, and what different options there are to differentiate, like Shorthorn Beef.

This was recorded in August 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Eric Dorr, Founder, Silage Consulting International joins the team.

Like usual we start with Eric's background, having been in the industry and worked for several companies that are household names within the industry, including Lallemand Animal Nutrition & Chr. Hansen Animal Health. Eric was also the original importer of Silostop into North America before founding his own business Silage Consulting International in 2023.

Then we move on to today's subject of Optimising Silage Production.

We discuss the problems, and therefore solutions, for good silage production worldwide, and talk about the basics of getting it right!

Should you use an additive, what about using an oxygen barrier sheet? It doesn't seem to matter where you are in the world the problems seem to be just the same!

This was recorded in February 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com

This time Ollie Simons, Crew Manager, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service joins the team.

Like usual we start with Ollie's background, on the periphery of agriculture before joining Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to be where he is today.

Then we move on to today's subject of fire & rescue!

While we have an expectation of Ollie & his colleagues to deliver a service when we need them, we discuss with Ollie what we can do, to make their life easier & safer when we do need to call them.

From using what3words (w3w), to having an evacuation plan in the event of fire, to calling the vet for when they are needed to rescue livestock from some of the more extreme places livestock get themselves into!

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast or X/Twitter @chewinthecudpod. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com