NMR dairy management news

NMR introduces GeneEze

NMR is introducing its new genomic services, GeneEze, at Dairy-Tech Online in February 2021. GeneEze will be an umbrella name for the company’s genomic testing and related services, which will be extended through 2021. The first new development under the GeneEze brand is an in-house genomic testing laboratory at its National Milk Laboratory (NML) site in the West Midlands. This is scheduled for March 2021. With an initial investment of £400,000, NMR will be providing a streamlined genomic testing service from the new lab for dairy females, initially for Holsteins but extending to other breeds in 2021. Tissue samples, supplied in kits or via Nordic Star UK ID tags, will be tested through the GeneEze UK laboratory and the results will be processed by AHDB Dairy. These genomic evaluations will then be available to producers through NMR’s Herd Companion site and from the AHDB Herd Genetic Report site. “Our UK testing site brings greater simplicity and e ciency to genomic services on o er to producers,” says NMR’s genomics manager Richard Miller. “We will integrate it with our other testing, recording and data management and reporting resources, and be able to o er producers, particularly those recording with NMR, a more streamlined genomic testing service.” NMR first launched a genomic testing service, GeneTracker, in 2015. This will be superseded by GeneEze genomic testing. Further services, based on the genomic test data, will be available to milk producers in 2021. For more information contact NMR at customerservices@nmrp.com or call 03330 043 043.

Taking tissue samples for genomic testing

Centenary year extends to 2021

The dairy industry’s most celebrated award, the Gold Cup, was set to celebrate its 100th year in 2020. Not deterred by delays, and with six finalists in the running, the organisers – NMR and RABDF – will mark the occasion with the presentation of the 2020 award in 2021. The judges will carry out on-farm inspections once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Seeing the units at first hand before awarding the country’s leading title is felt, by all judges and the organisers, to be an essential prerequisite. The current delay is not taking the Gold Cup history into unchartered waters. In 1925, five years after its introduction, the award was cancelled due to a footand-mouth pandemic. Between 1939 and 1946, World War II brought the award to a halt and then, more recently in 2001 and 2002, the competition did not take place again due to foot-and-mouth disease. The Gold Cup remains the country’s top prize, and the line-up of finalists for the 2020 title certainly maintains the high standards expected of such a coveted prize. See page 6 of this issue to find out more.

Seasonal parasites

Parasites are ever present and, depending on the time of year, our attention might be drawn to treatment options. Many herds will see exposure to worms during the grazing season and then liver fluke later in the year. Through NML’s disease testing services, vets and producers can gain an insight into the parasite burden in the milking herd at di erent times of the year. Testing bulk milk samples gives an indication of the level of exposure to worms and fluke. Typically more herds test positive for worms at grazing and levels increase as the season progresses, indicating exposure to parasites at grass. In the winter, fluke levels can rise following exposure towards the end of the grazing period. Of course exposure to a parasite doesn’t always mean disease and it’s essential for producers to work with their vet to understand the parasites present and, if treatment is necessary, what is the most appropriate treatment.

Genomic test dates

Samples must be supplied to NMR by the submission dates for testing and evaluating by AHDB to achieve the corresponding publication dates, which are: February 18, published April 7; March 18, published May 5; and April 22, published June 2.

Final few 2021 diaries

NMR has just a few 2021 herd management diaries available, priced at £30.50 plus VAT, including postage. To order a copy contact NMR Customers Services on 03330 043 043 or customerservices@nmrp.com.

For more information about NMR products and services contact customer services: 03330 043 043, email: customerservices@nmrp.com www.nmr.co.uk

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