Golden times for genetics firm

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics is developing research and development genetic research projects and tools to provide additional genetic gains for sheep and beef farmers. Photo from SRL Files

The sheep and beef sector stands to gain by a potential $845 million in added value during the next 20 years once a new Dunedin-based genetics research and development entity hits its stride. Yvonne O'Hara reports.

Upgrading the Sheep Improvement Limited (SIL) database, developing a ram and bull selection app, and contracting out genetics research projects for both sheep and beef are expected to begin later this year for the Dunedin-based Beef + Lamb Genetics (BLNZG).

BLNZG signed a $15 million funding contract for the next five years with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment earlier this month.

The balance of BLNZG's $44 million five-year budget will come from sheep and beef farmers and the wider red meat industry.

BLNZG general manager Graham Alder, of Dunedin, said the contract signing meant it could move ahead with its research and development programmes between now and Christmas.

''The next few months are going to be busy,'' Mr Alder said.

''We intend to employ an additional one or two people [at this point] in the next 12 to 18 months.''

BLNZG's goals included developing the traits and breeding objectives - including ewe and cow efficiency, productivity and longevity - that the New Zealand sheep and beef farmers were going to need in their herds and flocks in the future and what was needed for the delivery of those traits.

''We have to make sure the rams and bulls [available] in the future are the right ones for their farms,'' he said.

Read the original:
Golden times for genetics firm