GENETIC ENTERPRISES NZ is now 100% owned by Genetics Australia as at 1st April 2018. Genetics Australia CEO, Anthony Shelly has released the following statement.
GENETICS AUSTRALIA AQUIRES NEW ZEALAND GENETICS BUSINESS
Australia’s leading dairy breeding cooperative Genetics Australia has purchased independently owned and operated NZ based AI genetics company Genetic Enterprises based at Cambridge, North Island New Zealand.
The purchase gives New Zealand dairy farmers continued access to a wider range of leading Australian dairy sires as well as a select group of genetics sourced from the northern hemisphere.
Genetics Australia Chairman Trevor Henry said the cooperative was excited about investing in the New Zealand breeding industry.
“The purchase is part of our export strategy identified by the Board to grow the cooperative and this opportunity came at just the right time for us. Australia has for many years been a net importer of genetics from many countries, including New Zealand and while we have been steadily growing our sales in New Zealand through Genetic Enterprises for the past 3 years this move gives us the chance to be a greater part of a large dairy industry very close to our shores, “Mr. Henry said.
“We are confident that with the emphasis we have placed in Australia for decades on breeding a moderate size cow with the will and functionality to milk for numerous lactations, our genetics can make a positive contribution to the national dairy herd in New Zealand. In Australia every decision we make is in the best interests of our shareholder members and we are committed to delivering the type of genetics New Zealand farmers demand into the future,” he said.
The purchase was finalised in April following discussion with the Australian farmer owned cooperative and Genetics Enterprises principal Allen Donald said it was great news for New Zealand dairy and beef farmers.
“Genetics Enterprises was established some 18 years ago after I saw a need for a broader range of genetics to be made available to New Zealand producers. We have established a loyal group of customers and has serviced a broad range of interests from dairy to beef as well as a range of other species,” Mr Donald said.
“Genetics Australia has been in business for 60 years so they must be doing something right. They have developed a grazing dairy cow that produces well from pasture but can also respond when challenged with additional feed and they have incorporated the best genetics from around the world in their breeding program. The end result is an infusion of the best international sires combined with leading Australian cow families to produce bulls which breed efficient, fertile, profitable milk producers, predominately from a grazing diet, I can’t think of a farmer in New Zealand that doesn’t want a dairy cow like that”.
“We first introduced semen from Genetics Australia bulls a little over three years ago and the early reports on daughters of several of the bulls is most pleasing and demand had grown year on year.
The Australian national breeding index, the BPI incorporates traits focused on producing a profitable dairy cow and was established based on both science and on what farmers wanted to see in a good dairy cow” he said.
Based at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Genetics Australia is Australia’s leading animal breeding organisation. The announcement coincides with the cooperative’s 60th anniversary celebrations after being established as Victorian Artificial Breeders Cooperative [VAB] in 1958.
For More information:
Anthony Shelly
Chief Executive – Genetics Australia
Mob: +61 [0] 418 129606
Email: [email protected]
Trevor Henry
Chairman
Mob: 0429 451548