Neogen

Genomics is transforming agriculture, and Neogen—a global leader in food security and agricultural innovation—is at the forefront of this evolution with five DNA laboratories located strategically around the world. While its operations span multiple regions, the firm remains committed to delivering localized solutions that maximize value for customers in the APAC region.

In line with this commitment, Neogen provides livestock producers in Australia and New Zealand with advanced DNA testing solutions tailored to enhance breeding decisions, improve herd efficiency and drive genetic progress. Farmers gain valuable insights into meat quality, fertility, disease resistance, and parentage verification through bovine and ovine genomic testing, helping them optimize herd management and productivity.

This commitment to tailored innovation is what sets Neogen apart. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the company collaborates closely with industry groups, breeders and food producers to develop genomic tools designed to address region-specific challenges. With a state-of-the-art laboratory facility in Bundamba, Neogen can process up to one million genomic tests annually, utilizing cutting-edge robotic processing and advanced genomic selection technologies.

By providing data-driven, science-backed insights, Neogen enables livestock producers to improve profitability, strengthen herd genetics and ensure sustainable, high-performing agricultural systems. As the demand for precision breeding and enhanced food security grows, it helps producers achieve long-term success in an evolving agricultural landscape.

Unlocking Genetic Potential with Early Insights

Traditional livestock breeding relied heavily on visual assessments and pedigree records, leading to uncertainties in genetic selection. With the advent of genomic testing, farmers can make more accurate predictions of an animal’s future performance.

“Genomics is enabling us to make more accurate selection decisions and identify animals with superior genetics at an earlier age than ever before,” says Andrew Byrne, Senior Technical Product Specialist at Neogen. “This technology boosts growth, carcass quality and sustainability traits like lower methane emissions and stronger immunity.”

One of the most impactful applications of genomics is parent verification, which ensures accurate lineage tracking and helps breeders make informed mating decisions. In addition, genomic testing identifies recessive genetic defects that may not be apparent in an animal’s physical appearance but could lead to undesirable outcomes when two carriers are bred together. Breeders can improve their herds’ overall health and productivity by preventing such genetic issues.

A breakthrough in livestock breeding has been the introduction of genomically enhanced breeding values (GEBVs). These values help breeders predict an animal’s genetic merit at an early age, reducing the time it takes to identify top-performing animals. In Australia, for example, genomic testing has transformed sheep breeding. Traditionally, animals were two years of age before their first offspring were born. Now, with early genetic insights, high-quality breeding stock can be selected at a younger age, with animals now having their first offspring at just one year of age, allowing for faster genetic improvement and increased efficiency in production systems.

China’s dairy industry is also experiencing a shift due to genomic testing. Neogen has been working with one of its major clients for over seven years, supporting a herd of 120,000 Holstein cows. Initially, genomic testing was used solely for screening embryo transfer donors and recipients. However, after recognizing its value, the client expanded testing to include all cows in their herd. The ability to identify the most genetically superior cows has allowed them to optimize feed efficiency and maximize milk production while reducing overall costs.

“Genomic testing was once considered a luxury, but it’s becoming necessary. The long-term benefits—higher productivity, lower costs—are too big to ignore,” says Chris Qu, Bovine Business Development Manager (China).

Custom Solutions for Local Success

One of Neogen’s defining strengths is its ability to adapt its global expertise to fit the needs of local markets. Recognizing that no two regions are the same, the company works closely with industry stakeholders to develop solutions that align with market-specific demands.

Neogen has collaborated with organizations such as Angus Australia, the Australian Wagyu Association, and Sheep Genetics to create specialized genomic products in Australia and New Zealand. To enhance these solutions, Neogen has worked closely with Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, conducting pilot tests in real commercial production systems to evaluate their predictive ability and practical effectiveness. These partnerships have allowed Neogen to refine its solutions, ensuring they are scientifically advanced and practical for the local agricultural landscape.

The company works closely with breed associations and industry genetic evaluation providers to leverage its global genotyping platforms for developing selection products tailored to local markets. This approach ensures that farmers and breeders receive customized, effective solutions that align with their specific breeding programs.

China presents a different landscape, where the adoption of genomic testing is still in its early stages. In this market, Neogen plays a crucial role by providing cutting-edge technology and educating farmers on how to interpret and apply the data to improve breeding outcomes. Without industry-wide regulatory associations to standardize breeding practices, the company’s role in knowledge-sharing becomes even more essential. This hands-on approach ensures that farmers adopt genomic technology and maximize the potential to improve their operations.

Neogen’s investment in local facilities further strengthens its position as an industry leader. Unlike competitors that rely on centralized overseas laboratories, Neogen has established world-class genomics labs in Australia and China. This localized infrastructure enables faster testing turnaround times, greater support for farmers, and solutions specifically designed for regional market needs. This strategic investment ensures genomic technology remains accessible and relevant for farmers across APAC.

Smarter Breeding for a Sustainable Future

Neogen recognizes significant opportunities to extend genomic technology beyond traditional breeding programs. While the company has historically focused on providing solutions to the seed stock and stud industries, emerging technologies are opening doors for broader applications.

One exciting development is the use of genomic data for supply chain traceability. By leveraging genetic markers, producers can verify breed claims and track meat products back to their source, ensuring greater transparency in the supply chain. This has significant implications for food safety, authenticity and consumer trust. As consumers demand more information about where their food comes from, genomic technology will play a vital role in verifying product claims and enhancing supply chain integrity.

In addition, Neogen is working towards making genomic testing more accessible to commercial breeders. The ability to assess an animal’s genetic merit without pedigree information is expected to transform livestock selection, enabling farmers to optimize their production systems based on genetic potential.

As genomic technology advances, Neogen remains dedicated to making it more practical, scalable and impactful. By combining global expertise with localized solutions, the company ensures no farmer gets left behind in the genomic revolution. The agricultural industry is on the brink of a major transformation, and Neogen is leading the way toward a future where breeding decisions are smarter, sustainability is prioritized, and food production is more efficient than ever before.