Dairy breeding sees partnership changes
Dairy breeding sees partnership changes
RATIONALISATION in the dairy breeding industry is causing changes to partnerships involving Genus, previous ABS distributors, Holland Genetics and Avoncroft.
Genus has announced that its exclusive agreement with Holland Genetics for marketing semen in the UK is to end after three years. Genus Breeding managing director, Steve Amies, says its acquisition of ABS last autumn meant change in its relationship with Holland Genetics was inevitable.
"It is in the interests of our customers and shareholders that we sell more from our own proven stud, which includes ABS and UK bulls."
But Genus will still market some Holland Genetics bulls and the jointly owned bull programme will continue to test 30 bulls a year.
Holland Genetics parent company, C R Delta, has now formed a strategic partnership with Avoncroft Cattle Breeders. Avoncroft managing director, John Williams, says this will give UK producers access to the world-renowned C R Delta stud, including more than 40 bulls in the top 100 UK PLI sires. It may also help develop export opportunities, with the Dutch company operating in more than 50 countries.
After its acquisition of ABS, Genus has also formed new agreements with some of ABSs former UK distributors. Many will offer Genus combined stud, which includes ABS bulls, after the May proof run.
Agreements have been reached with Hampshire Cattle Breeders, Progen Dorset and Focus Breeders while it is in negotiation with Cheshire Breeders Services, Progen Welshpool, Midland Cattle Breeders, Progen Southwest and North Yorkshire AI. "But it has not been possible to offer opportunities to all of the distributors," he says. *