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Why is it important for Geno to establish research collaboration with the U.S?. Sverre Bjørnstad. For dairy farmers and consumers - sustainable breeding for the ultimate cow. Geno’s key figures 2003. Annual turnover: $ 31.000 million Book equity 59 %, $ 15 million Net profit: $ 100.000,-
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Why is it important for Geno to establish research collaboration with the U.S? Sverre Bjørnstad
For dairy farmers and consumers - sustainable breeding for the ultimate cow
Geno’s key figures 2003 • Annual turnover: $ 31.000 million • Book equity 59 %, $ 15 million • Net profit: $ 100.000,- • Employees: 278 • Members and owners: 18.200 • No. of inseminations: 575.000 • Research and development: $ 2.7 million • No of PhD 11
Geno’sopportunities • Unique database • Simultaneously genetic gain on functional traits and production • Very positive results from testing of NRF-cows in the U.S, Ireland and Northern Ireland • Creating an international scientific base on the NRF • Fast growing international sales on NRF • Support from Norwegian authorities in establishing international contacts • We benefit from an excellent status on animal health in Norway
Creating value in functional genomics you need Unique cattle biobank • A well functioning recording and input system covering more than 95 % of the total dairy cow population in Norway • Data from 1978 covering individualised phenotypic information from about 7,5 million animals (cows and sires) • Pedigree information covering more than 5 generations • Central storage blood/serum and semen samples from bulls and bull dams • The most comprehensive recording system for health conditions, including more than 60 diseases/diagnostic groups • Information covering production measures, health, fertility and conformation • Large daughter groups (200-300) • Well structured and quality assured data located in a central database
International research project with NRF California: :NRF, SRB, Normand and Mont Beliard crossed with Holstein. Large dairies in California. Trial is run by Univ. Of Minnesota Nord-Irland :App 300 NRF-cows in herds and on Hillsborough Irland :30 heifers in 1999 on Moorepark 400 NRF - 400 NRF X Holstein - 400 Holstein on 50 farms. Starting in 2004 New US-initiativ this fall: USDA is willing to fund a seminar on a joint US-Norwegian effort to improve selection for health and fertility in dairy cows
Dairy trends ”In ten years, a majority of Holstein calves will be crossbreds.The cattle most likely to be used will be popular European dairy breeds”. Leslie B. Hansen, Prof. Univ of Minnesota
Geno’s challenges • Small resources for R&D, compared with the big companies • Unlike oil, fish and skiing, Norwegian dairy production is not well known outside Norway • The financial resources in the Ag-business is slowly declining
Conclusion There is a disparity between our potential and our financial and technologicalresources
Geno’s strategy • Establish scientific platforms for marketing of NRF-germplasm • Search for international funding • Appropriation bill thru U.S. Congress • Establish alliances and cooperation with Univ. and researchers • Joint research projects; we have data and germplasm, find a partner with technology, knowledge and financial strength • Where it is possible, make subsidiary companies where we invite investors to take part. Preferably outside core business
NRF x Holstein 14.953 kg 305 days Preg. 95 day after calving 50.000 lower SCC than average in herd