With over half of UK beef now coming from dairy herds, farmers need breeding solutions that guarantee profitability, efficiency, and market security. At Cogent, we don’t just follow industry trends, we set them. Through pioneering progeny testing, data-driven innovation, and industry-leading expertise, we provide farmers with the tools to increase the profitability of their calf crop.

From Pedigree to Precision: The Evolution of Decision Making

Cogent’s journey began with traditional Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), predictions based on pedigree information. While these offered a starting point, it became clear that these predictions, based on purebred genetics, were not relevant to the dairy-beef crossbred systems in modern beef production. The next step involved farmer surveys, which provided more information but lacked the objectivity and reliability necessary for informed breeding decisions.

In 2020, Cogent embarked on a transformative path, establishing its own Progeny Testing Programme. Starting with a limited number of farms and personnel, the programme marked a turning point from reliance on external data to a system of rigorous, controlled data collection. The programme has evolved into a scientifically rigorous operation, meticulously designed to minimise variability and maximise data accuracy.

Eradicating Human Error, Embracing Scientific Vigour: The Cogent Advantage

Cogent’s testing programme operates with a level of control previously unseen in the industry. Built on real-world performance data from UK farms, it is designed to operate with scientific precision, controlling as many variables as possible to ensure the highest level of data accuracy. This is achieved through:

• Controlled environments: Partnering with carefully selected test farms and satellite herds across the UK.
• Technological integration: Remote access to farm management software eliminates transcription errors and ensures real-time data capture.
• Standardised processes: Utilising calibrated weighing equipment and standardised data pipelines.
• Expert oversight: Fortnightly farm visits by dedicated Cogent employees trained to conduct evaluations consistently and objectively.

These measures have effectively eliminated human error and ensure unparalleled accuracy and reliability in data collection, allowing for precise monitoring of bull and progeny performance. This is why Cogent’s programme remains the gold standard in beef-on-dairy genetics.

UK’s Largest Progeny Testing Programme:

• 17 Designated Test Farms
• 10,000+ cows available annually, from which to progeny test unproven young sires
• 60+ Active Vision Farms providing real-world feedback
• 100% UK-based data – relevant and transferable across systems

No other programme offers this level of control, accuracy and practical application.

The Visions Farms provide additional feedback on our beef on dairy sires through calving surveys. They represent more diverse herds to the test herds giving a wider picture. Since they take into consideration farmer opinion and showcase the bulls across many different farming set ups and locations, the responses collected adds extra confidence in sire performance protecting against environmental effects and backing up the test data. If results collected from Visions Farms are not consistent with test farms, the sires are retested. If a bull’s progeny collectively fails in testing, the bull is not released into our catalogues.

Human Expertise: The Driving Force Behind Cogent’s Beef on Dairy Success

At the heart of our success is a team of specialists dedicated to transforming beef-on-dairy breeding into a science. Led by Boomer Birch (Beef Programme Manager) and supported by our Beef Product Specialist, Rachael Dale, our experts ensure farmers get genetics that perform in real-world conditions.

• Rachel Dickinson – Beef on Dairy Specialist: The driving force behind Cogent’s ability to provide farmers with unprecedented insights for their beef-on-dairy decisions. Her role includes:
  • Programme Development – Refining the testing programme to ensure scientific precision.
  • Farm Liaison – Providing invaluable support and training to test farms.
  • Customer Engagement – Helping farmers optimise breeding strategies based on real-world data.
• Dennis Ballard – Progeny Evaluator: Ensuring data collected from farms is reliable, consistent and accurate.
• Dr Jody Edmunds – Genetic Data Analyst: Responsible for analysing and interpreting data, ensuring it is adjusted for seasonality, market trends, and outliers. Her work makes Cogent’s insights reliable and relevant for UK farmers.

The Beef Impact Catalogue: A Manual for Profitability

The data we collect from our Progeny Testing Programme forms the basis of our Beef Impact Catalogue. Our catalogue is more than just a sire list, it is a must-have, comprehensive resource for dairy farmers seeking to maximise the profitability of their calf crops.

It has developed into a data-driven manual providing real-world data and actionable insights to increase calf value, improve herd efficiency, and secure market outlets. It has transformed the way farmers approach beef on dairy, empowering them to make informed decisions that drive profitability.

This essential tool would not exist without the dedication of our Beef Team, who ensure that every breeding decision is backed by science.

Adaptability and Expansion: Meeting Evolving Needs

By actively collecting and constantly analysing primary data and market trends, Cogent’s beef programme can proactively adapt to meet the evolving needs of both farmers and consumers. Recent expansions include:

• Testing British Blue sires on grazing herds, focusing on easy calving, short gestation and low birth weight sires for grazing type cows.
• Innovating with new indexes, like the Cogent Breeding Index (CBI) and Calf Growth Index (CGI) to help farmers make informed, profit-driven breeding decisions.

Sustainability and Welfare: Future-Proofing UK Beef Farming

With increasing pressure on farmers to meet sustainability targets, Cogent is committed to breeding genetics that balance efficiency, welfare, and profitability.

• Our Aberdeen Angus sires now carry EcoFeed scores, ensuring more feed-efficient, environmentally friendly cattle that grow well while consuming less.
• Polled British Blues, eliminating dehorning costs, labour and welfare risks while maintaining premium carcase values.
• Male Sexed Semen, increases high-value male calf production without fertility trade-offs.

These innovations help you meet retailer and processor demands while improving your bottom line. Our future development is focused on helping farmers achieve net-zero targets without compromising performance.

Collaboration for Success: Partnerships and Calf Security

Our testing programme’s reliability has secured partnerships with almost all major UK calf schemes, giving farmers price security and market confidence.

• Fixed-price schemes, where specific sires guarantee a market outlet and secure pricing.
• Open-ended schemes, providing flexibility while still offering premium value for Cogent-bred calves.

The success of Cogent's breeding programme is further evidenced by its collaboration with LIC, a testament to the quality and reliability of its genetics. Cogent shares its grazing x British Blue data with LIC and supplies specialised sires, demonstrating leadership in this field.

The Cogent Standard: Proven Genetics, Measurable Results

For a bull to graduate from our programme, it must meet the highest standards. Every sire is rigorously tested for:

• Calving ease, no extreme difficulty bulls are graduated.
• Coat colour consistency, particularly in British Blues.
• Carcase quality and growth rates, ensuring the best returns for farmers.
• Fertility, only bulls producing high-quality, viable semen making it to market.

Cogent: Shaping the Future of Beef on Dairy

Cogent isn’t just supplying beef genetics, we are redefining precision breeding through data, expertise, and partnerships. Thanks to our rigorous progeny testing, Cogent offers the most reliable predictions of calf outcomes in the UK, giving farmers the confidence to plan ahead.

By embracing data-driven innovation, Cogent is ensuring that every breeding decision is a step towards a more efficient, profitable, and sustainable future for the industry.

For UK dairy farmers looking to maximise profitability, ensure easy calving, and secure premium markets for their beef-sired calves, Cogent isn’t just an option—it’s the future.

Talk to our team today and discover how Cogent’s proven genetics can deliver real results for your farm.