STtalks #337 at WDE - Exploring Genetics and Innovation in Dairy Farming with Andrew Holliday

We are continuing our STtalks at the 2025 World Dairy Expo. With us is Andrew Holliday, Genetics Product Manager from Cogent, who shares his insights on the exciting journey of Cogent since becoming part of the STgenetics group. Andrew discusses the history of Cogent, their pioneering work with gender-sorted semen and beef semen in dairy farming and the evolving genetic programs in the UK. Learn about the different genetic needs of British dairy farmers, the importance of custom indexes, and the role of EcoFeed® and the Eco$ index in promoting sustainability.

0:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 History of Cogent and Joining STgen

01:18 Beef on Dairy Program in the UK

02:07 UK Dairy Farming Landscape

02:37 Genetic Strategies for UK Dairy Farmers

04:18 Sustainability and EcoFeed® Initiatives

05:26 Future of Cogent in the UK

06:09 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts