National Milk Records

What National Milk Records does

National Milk Records (NMR) is the UK's leading milk recording and dairy data services organisation, founded in 1943 and headquartered at Four Ashes, Wolverhampton. The company processes approximately 10 million milk samples per year, handling bulk milk samples from 97% of UK dairy farmers with every collection and individual cow samples from roughly 50% of the national herd on a monthly basis. NMR operates two UKAS ISO 17025-accredited laboratories (Wolverhampton Lab 2700 and Hillington Lab 2051) and a network of 49 milk sampling shuttles, with regional field teams serving England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. Its service portfolio spans milk recording (yield, components, somatic cell counts), health testing (HerdWise Johne's, BVD, IBR, Leptospirosis, Neospora, Liver Fluke, Salmonella), genomic testing (GeneEze, CLARIFIDE Plus, Cross Breed Genomic Testing), and milk quality testing (payment testing, antibiotic screening, Mastitis ID, Thermoduric Testing) — all anchored by the free Herd Companion data portal and integrations with Uniform Agri and InterHerd+ software.

NMR's business model combines recurring subscriptions (milk recording, health testing, genomic testing, software) with transaction-based revenue from the National Milk Laboratories (NML) subsidiary — formed in 2003 to serve milk processors with payment testing, antibiotic testing, due diligence testing, fatty acids analysis, and finished product microbiology — and hardware sales through the Nordic Star Tags brand. Customer segments include dairy farmers, milk processors, veterinary practices, and farm consultants, served through direct field sales, veterinary and processor referrals, an event-led marketing programme (Dairy-Tech, Royal Welsh Show, Great Yorkshire Show, AgriScot, NMR RABDF Gold Cup), and software channel integrations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; services are billed annually and tailored to herd size and needs.

NMR was acquired by AB Agri in August 2023 and continues to trade independently as National Milk Records Limited (Company No. 03331929). The company holds an exclusive UK and US license for GenoCells DNA-based individual somatic cell count technology, acquired in 2022 and launched in the UK in September 2023, and maintains ICAR testing approval, ISAG institutional membership, and a partnership with AHDB whose genetic evaluations are delivered through NMR's genomic services. Revenue figures are not disclosed publicly; headcount is stated as 251–500 employees.

Name

National Milk Records

Legal name

National Milk Records Limited

Website

https://nmr.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

National Milk Records (NMR) is the UK's leading dairy data services provider, processing 10 million milk samples annually from 97% of UK dairy farmers. Acquired by AB Agri in 2023, NMR delivers milk recording, health testing, genomic testing, and processor testing via two UKAS-accredited laboratories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Laboratory and Dairy Testing Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dairy Farm Data, Monitoring & Precision Dairy Operations (AFAEACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Animal & Herd Health Diagnostics (Surveillance, Production Medicine Lab Testing) (HLAMADAL), Herd Management Software & Identification (RFID, EID, Data Platforms) (AFAAAIAH), Dairy Herd Health & Reproduction Services (non-veterinary) (AFAEACAE), Milk Quality Testing & Sampling Equipment (SCC, Conductivity, Analyzers) (AFAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Dairy milk recording
• Livestock health testing
• Dairy genomic testing
• Milk quality analysis
• Herd management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Chippenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Milk Recording Services: Core milk recording services including milk yield recording, compositional analysis (fat, protein, lactose), and somatic cell counting for individual cows and herds.
2. Health Testing Services: Disease testing services including Johne's (HerdWise), BVD, Leptospirosis, IBR, Neospora, Liver Fluke, and Salmonella testing performed on milk or blood samples.
3. Genomic Testing: DNA-based genomic testing services including GeneEze, CLARIFIDE Plus, and Cross Breed Genomic Testing for breeding decisions and herd improvement.
4. Milk Quality Testing: Bulk milk quality testing for milk processors including payment testing, antibiotic testing, fatty acid analysis, and finished product testing through National Milk Laboratories.
5. Software Services: Software solutions including Herd Companion (free portal), InterHerd+, and UNIFORM Agri integration for dairy herd management.
6. Nordic Star Tags: Sale of cattle ear tags, sheep and goat tags, and accessories through Nordic Star brand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

National Milk Records provides milk recording, health testing, genomic testing, and milk quality testing services to UK dairy farmers, veterinarians, and milk processors through UKAS accredited laboratories. The company operates the Herd Companion data portal, offers Nordic Star cattle identification tags, and supports UK genetic evaluation through its phenotype database built from processing bulk samples from 97% of UK dairy farmers.

Product overview

National Milk Records (NMR) operates as an integrated dairy service provider offering five interconnected service pillars: milk recording and sampling services (including GenoCells and robot milking shuttle hire), health and disease testing (including HerdWise Johne's screening, BVD, IBR, Leptospirosis testing), genomic testing (GeneEze, CLARIFIDE Plus, Cross Breed Genomic Testing), milk quality services (Mastitis ID, Thermoduric Testing, Selective Dry Cow Therapy), and National Milk Laboratories (NML) testing for processors (Payment Testing, Antibiotic Testing, Due Diligence, Fatty Acids). Supporting these services is Herd Companion, a free online management portal, alongside third-party software integrations with UNIFORM Agri/Pro and InterHerd+. NMR also provides Nordic Star electronic ear tags. The company processes 10 million milk samples annually and provides data for UK genetic evaluation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Herd Companion: Online information management portal providing access to milk recording data, Johne's Progress Tracker, and herd management information.
• InterHerd+
• GeneEze
• HerdWise
• GenoCells
• FarmAssist
• National Milk Laboratories (NML)
• Nordic Star Tags

Products and services

• Milk Recording Core milk recording service providing yield measurement, compositional analysis (fat, protein, lactose), and somatic cell count data for individual cows and herds across the UK dairy industry.
• GenoCells DNA-based service that provides individual cow somatic cell counts from a single bulk milk sample by matching SCC with cow DNA from genomic test data. Exclusively licensed for the UK and US markets.
• GeneEze Genomic Testing Genomic testing service providing DNA analysis of newborn calves to predict future productivity and genetic value, including the Feed Advantage index.
• CLARIFIDE Plus Dairy Wellness and Profit (DWP) genomic index testing service providing comprehensive genetic merit assessment for dairy herds.
• Cross Breed Genomic Testing Genomic testing service for mixed-breed dairy herds, expanding genomic testing capability beyond pure breeds.
• HerdWise Johne's Testing Quarterly whole herd Johne's disease milk screening service with CHECS accreditation, including the Johne's Progress Tracker for monitoring infection rates over time.
• BVD Testing Bovine Viral Diarrhoea testing using both antibody detection and qPCR virus testing methods, supporting Scotland's BVD eradication scheme with 99% of results delivered in 1-2 days.
• Leptospirosis Testing Leptospira infection screening from milk samples for herd health management.
• IBR Testing Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis diagnostic testing with gE and gB marker options available.
• Neospora Testing Neospora caninum detection from milk samples for herd fertility and abortion screening.
• Liver Fluke Testing Fasciolosis diagnostic testing from milk samples for herd parasite monitoring.
• Blood Testing Blood sample analysis for Johne's, BVD, IBR-gE, Lepto, Liver fluke, Neospora antibodies, and BVD antigen/virus detection.
• Payment Testing (NML) Component testing (fat, protein, lactose) for milk processor payment calculations, provided through the National Milk Laboratories subsidiary.
• Antibiotic Testing Antibiotic residue detection service for food safety compliance under Dairy UK scheme.
• Mastitis ID DNA-based mastitis organism identification for targeted antibiotic treatment decisions.
• Due Diligence Testing Dairy UK scheme testing for contaminants including antibiotics, anti-parasiticides, anti-inflammatories, QACs, heavy metals, melamine, aflatoxin, dioxins and pesticides.
• Finished Product Testing Microbiology testing of finished dairy products including E.Coli, Enterobacteria, Salmonella, and Listeria detection.
• Fatty Acids Testing Saturated, mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fat analysis at bulk and individual cow level for product suitability assessment.
• Herd Companion Free online herd management portal providing access to recording data, Johne's Progress Tracker, analysis tools, and links to all NMR services.
• InterHerd+ Veterinary practice herd management system with NMR data integration for client herd performance benchmarking.
• Milk Pregnancy Testing Pregnancy detection service using milk samples for convenient herd fertility monitoring without veterinary intervention.
• Robot Milking Shuttle Hire Shuttle service providing milk sampling equipment for robotically milked herds to maintain Johne's surveillance, pregnancy testing, and milk recording.
• Energy Balance Metabolic health monitoring service using milk sample analysis to assess cow energy status.
• Nordic Star Tags Electronic identification ear tags for cattle, sheep, and goats with NMR integration for BVD and DNA testing across the Nordic Star product range.

Quantifiable outcome

• A Johne's J0 Negative cow produces approximately 800 litres more milk than a Johne's J5 Positive cow over an average 305-day lactation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Feedlync (Cow Connect)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Feedlync digital feed management system is eligible for FETF 2026 grant funding. NMR highlights the combined value of milk recording data with feed management analysis for better informed decision-making.
• AB AgricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023AB Agri completed the acquisition of NMR in August 2023. The acquisition helps NMR accelerate its development strategy focusing on delivery of services that help build a sustainable, efficient and profitable dairy industry in the UK. NMR continues to trade independently as a limited company within the AB Agri family.
• SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMR is embedded in the Scottish Dairy R&D industry working closely with SRUC at their Barony site. NMR participates in Digital Dairy Chain initiatives and hosts events at SRUC facilities.
• iML (interMilk Laboratory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture through engagement with Irish dairy industry, particularly Lakeland Dairies which is the cornerstone client. Ben Bartlett sits on the iML board contributing to strategic development.
• Uniform AgricoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for dairy herd management software integration. NMR data is accessible in Uniform Agri software, and both companies celebrate joint customer milestones (1000th/2000th customer).
• Nordic Star TagsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNMR promotes and supports Nordic Star cattle ear tags, management tags, and sheep/goat tagging solutions. Nordic Star benefits from regular contact with NMR herds and in-house lab services for BVD and DNA testing.
• AHDBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHDB provides genetic evaluations and indices (PLI, gPLI, Feed Advantage) used in NMR's genomic testing services (GeneEze, CLARIFIDE Plus). NMR data contributes to the UK genetic evaluation phenotypic database.
• Dale FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFarmer cooperative customer rewarding for milk solids. NMR testing services support farmer members in meeting quality requirements.
• Lakeland DairiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorthern Ireland milk buyer. Cornerstone client for iML joint venture. Customers use NMR services for quality monitoring.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Zoetis: Global animal health company whose CLARIFIDE Plus genomic testing service is delivered through NMR. Comparable in dairy genomic testing, mastitis management, and reproductive health diagnostics, though operating at much greater scale.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification group active in agri-food and dairy testing. Comparable to NMR's NML services including microbiology, contaminant screening, and bulk milk quality testing for processors.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global testing services group operating food, agricultural, and environmental laboratories. Comparable to NMR's NML laboratory operations, particularly for payment testing, antibiotic screening, and due-diligence contaminant testing.
• IDEXX Laboratories: Global veterinary diagnostics company offering livestock disease testing and laboratory services. Comparable to NMR's BVD, Johne's (HerdWise), IBR, and Leptospirosis disease-testing portfolio in the production-animal segment.
• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with an agricultural and food testing footprint. Comparable to NMR's NML finished product testing, antibiotic residue testing, and due-diligence contaminant testing services.

Direct peers

• Lactanet: Canadian dairy herd improvement organisation providing milk recording, genetic evaluations, herd management software, and DHI testing services. Closest international functional analogue to NMR's full-stack farmer + processor service model.
• VikingGenetics: Nordic cooperative providing dairy genetics, genomic evaluation, and herd improvement services. Comparable to NMR's genomic testing (GeneEze, CLARIFIDE Plus) and breeding-decision support offerings.
• iML (interMilk Laboratory): Joint venture that NMR is engaged with through the Irish dairy industry, focused on bulk milk quality testing for Irish processors and farmers including Lakeland Dairies. Directly comparable to NMR's NML subsidiary on milk testing scope and customer type.
• CRV: Dutch/international dairy cooperative offering herd recording, genomic testing, AI codes, and herd management software across Europe. Comparable to NMR's genomic testing, milk recording, and software integrations portfolio.
• Cogent Breeding: UK dairy genetics and precision mating services business offering genomic testing and sire analysis. Comparable to NMR's genomic testing services and use of AHDB genetic evaluations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nmrgroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI0oghh5EfwsN6KNNGMaVHw
• Facebookfacebook.com/158220600932912
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nmr-national-milk-records-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Milk Records