Amino acids may be the most underrated nutritional tool for transforming heifer development and health on your dairy farm. In this eye-opening episode, Ken March takes us through his remarkable journey from East London to becoming a dairy nutrition specialist in West Wales, where his thirst for knowledge led him to the cutting edge of amino acid nutrition.

Ken shares results from a ground breaking trial comparing 100 calves on a standard diet against 100 calves receiving an amino acid-balanced diet from birth through first lactation. When salmonella struck both groups, only three calves died in the amino acid group compared to twelve in the control group—a dramatic demonstration of enhanced immunity. The treated calves grew faster (0.8kg/day versus 0.54kg/day), reached breeding weight earlier, and continued producing one litre more milk daily throughout their first lactation, even after both groups were managed identically without amino acid supplementation during lactation.

Perhaps most striking is the farm owner's observation that he couldn't distinguish between first-lactation heifers from the trial group and mature cows when viewed from behind in the parlour—their development was that impressive. This profound finding reinforces Ken's passionate belief that meeting animals' nutritional requirements from birth creates healthier, more productive cows.

The conversation challenges conventional wisdom about protein levels, with Ken sharing examples of herds achieving 39 litres on just 15.5% crude protein diets when properly balanced for amino acids. As Professor Gabriela Varga noted, "Cows do not have a crude protein requirement"—they require specific amino acids in the right proportions.

Whether you're struggling with health challenges in your replacement heifers or looking to optimise your feeding program, this episode offers practical insights into how precise amino acid balancing can transform your herd's performance, health, and ultimately your farm's profitability. Tune in to discover why meeting your animals' nutritional requirements isn't an expense—it's your most valuable investment.

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The transition period is the highest-risk window in a dairy cow's life, with far-reaching consequences for health, productivity, and farm profitability. In this comprehensive episode, we speak with Donald Lawson, head of the ruminant team at Premier Nutrition, who shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience managing transition cow nutrition.

Donald reveals how approximately 80% of health problems in dairy cows originate during the six-week window around calving, and how getting transition management right can save farms an average of 6 pence per litre. Drawing from Premier Nutrition's Transition Management System data covering 200,000 cows, he breaks down the critical factors that determine transition success – from optimal body condition scores to feed space requirements and straw processing techniques.

We explore a wide range of transition approaches, including partial and full DCAD diets, calcium binders, and the highly effective "Goldilocks" diet focusing on optimal forage NDF levels. Donald explains the science behind these strategies while providing practical, farm-level implementation advice that works across different systems.

Perhaps most fascinating is the emerging research showing how transition management affects not just the cow but also her calf, with proper calcium levels at day four post-calving linked to improved calf health outcomes. We also discuss the latest findings on amino acids, choline, and other nutritional interventions that provide returns throughout the entire lactation cycle.

Whether you're struggling with milk fever, ketosis, or simply want to optimize your transition program, this episode offers both technical depth and practical wisdom. Donald's parting advice? "Don't go looking for savings in your dry cow diet. It's the one place you should spend the money."

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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly at podcast@chewinthecud.com

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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly 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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly 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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly 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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly 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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly 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. ChewintheCud Ltd is also on Facebook & LinkedIn. You can email us directly at podcast@chewinthecud.com