UK DAIRY GENOMICS REACH ONE MILLION MILESTONE

UK dairy genomic evaluations pass one million milestone as crossbred genomics move into delivery

Monday, 23 February 2026

UK dairy genomic evaluations have reached a major milestone, with more than one million genotypes now included in our national evaluation programme.

The achievement demonstrates how genomics has become a core part of dairy breeding in the UK. Growing uptake across the industry is giving farmers greater confidence in genomic information to support faster and more accurate breeding decisions.

Funded largely through the dairy levy, our genomic evaluation programme provides an independent, industry-wide service for UK dairy farmers.

Ongoing investment in data, systems and collaboration ensures access to reliable genomic information that supports sustainable genetic progress across herds of all sizes and breeding systems.

Alongside this milestone, we also marked the availability of genomic evaluations for crossbred females, widening access to genomic information for herds using crossbreeding as part of their breeding strategy.

Initially, genomic evaluations for crossbred females are available for a targeted set of key traits:

• Production

• Lifespan

• Somatic cell count (SCC)

• Fertility index

• Maintenance

These traits have been prioritised for their direct relevance to herd health, efficiency and farm profitability.

This year, the service will be expanded to include a wider range of traits, with plans also in place to extend genomic evaluations to crossbred males.

This phased approach is designed to maintain robustness and reliability while allowing farmers and industry partners to build confidence in the data.

Marco Winters, AHDB Head of Animal Genetics, said:

"Reaching one million genotypes shows how firmly genomics is now embedded in UK dairy breeding. The scale of the reference population strengthens the reliability of evaluations and supports more confident breeding decisions on farm.

"The introduction of genomic evaluations for crossbred females recognises the growing demand of genomic insight by crossbreeding UK dairy systems. A phased and measured approach ensures the information provided is robust, relevant and fit for practical use."

Crossbred genomic results are being released on a monthly basis initially. Further updates will be shared as the service develops.

Find out more about UK genomic evaluations and crossbred genomics

NEW TEXEL EXPORT TO USA

British Texel Breeders, Robert & Joyce Laird, who run the 80-ewe Cambwell flock near Biggar, Scotland have recently (end-February) announced an export of semen from two rams to the USA. With their first export ‘across the pond’ some 30 years ago, it is just one of the 15 countries that the family has exported Texel sheep genetics to. The two rams are Deveronvale Fastrac owned by TA+R Laird, Cambwell and Kenny Johnston, Boghouse; and Fearn Findhorn owned by Neil McGowan, Incheoch.

Deveronvale Fastrac

Purchaser was Charles Wray of Portland Prairie Texels, Minnesota, a great supporter of UK genetics, who specialises in breeding performance-recorded sheep that are also worm resistant, and believes these British genetics are much in demand. Previous imports include Cambwell Trademark, Cambwell Duke, Cambwell Laird, Caereinion Diamond, Langford Adder Again, Cowal Escobar and Grougfoot Wizard.

AB Europe looked after the collection and despatch of the semen with US vet Mathew Rolleston handling the import paperwork with 100 doses of each ram sent.

Fastrac previously sired the sale leader and top-priced animal at £32,000 at the September 2025 Kelso Ram Sales in the shape of Cambwell Hotshot which sold to Angela Nairey of the Meinspride flock from Blackburn. Both rams have excellent performance figures - click HERE for Fastrac and HERE for Findhorn.

LATAM NETWORKING EVENT, LONDON, 6 APRIL

Register Your Interest – Central & S outh America Agri‑Tech Networking Event, 9 April 2026

Following the success of our inaugural Networking Event, we are pleased to announce plans for a second gathering at The Farmers Club, London, on 9th April 2026.

For this event, we will be inviting Ambassadors and Trade Secretaries from the Central & South American embassies. Individually these are significant markets, and collectively they represent a major opportunity for the UK agri‑tech sector—from livestock and machinery to digital and IT solutions.
For those who were unable to attend our first event, we are delighted to report that eight embassies were represented, either by Ambassadors or Trade Secretaries. The 20 UK companies present had valuable time to network, and several were able to deliver presentations. We have taken on board the lessons from that event and expect this second edition to be even more successful.

This email is intended to gauge interest and to offer companies the first opportunity to register. As before, we are offering three levels of sponsorship:
Gold – £650 • Limited to 5 companies • 10‑minute presentation slot • Includes 3‑course lunch and drinks • Additional guest lunches: £100 each
Silver – £250 • Limited to 5 companies • Opportunity to display pull‑up banners and leaflets • Includes 3‑course lunch and drinks • Additional guest lunches: £100 each
Bronze – £100 • Includes 3‑course lunch and drinks • Additional guest lunches: £100 each

Please contact Rob Grinnall E: rob@uktag.co.uk to reserve your networking opportunity