New Bovine Genetics Project will deliver immediate benefits for suckler and dairy herd owners

The organisation driving this initiative is Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG).

It is envisaged that BGP will deliver almost immediate benefits for both suckler and dairy farmers throughout Northern Ireland.

These include the identification of beef breeding animals carrying the myostatin gene and the early detection of breeding Holstein heifers that carry a recessive gene that can cause the abortion of calves.

Former Ulster Farmers’ Union president, Victor Chestnutt, is the chairman of SRG.

He commented: “The new project will deliver a data base of information that will put sucker and dairy farmers in Northern Ireland ahead of the world when it comes to making strategic herd breeding decisions that will deliver very tangible and sustainable performance-related improvements within their businesses.

“The genomic data base generated in Northern Ireland complements that which has already been developed across the rest of the island.

John Moore is the chief executive of SRG.

He confirmed that the new project has been pitched at a level that will encourage its comprehensive uptake.

He further explained: “Comprehensive training will be provided so as to ensure that farmers make best use of the data sets that are generated by the new project

“But the bottom line is this: making optimal of the genomic data that becomes available over the coming years is of paramount importance if real and meaningful efficiency-related improvements are to be secured within the beef and dairy industries.”

Significantly, Victor Chestnut believes that SRG will be particularly welcomed by pedigree beef and dairy cattle breeders.

He said: “In the first instance, pedigree herd owners will benefit from the subsidised genomic testing of their stock.

“Up to now they had to pay for this service fully themselves.

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“Thereafter, it’s all about the genomic assessment of pedigree animals’ progeny.

“And this will be directly facilitated by SRG.

“However, it will take the required period of time before this information becomes available.”

SRG was established in 2022 and is a not-for-profit company set up as a strategic partnership between the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI), Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), and the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA) with the core purpose to lead and implement a long-term strategy of genetic improvement across Northern Ireland’s cattle and sheep sectors.

SRG will play a central role in coordinating and supporting ruminant genetic improvement projects, including the £50 million DAERA funded BGP, working closely with industry partners, policymakers and farmers to drive long-term gains.

Initially the focus will be on the cattle sector.

However work is already underway with the Northern Ireland Sheep Industry Taskforce to support genetic improvement across all ruminant sectors.

Currently, it is estimated that only around 12 per cent of Northern Ireland dairy cows and three per cent of suckler cows are involved in physical or financial benchmarking, compared with approximately 70 per cent participation in the Republic of Ireland.

Improving farmer engagement with benchmarking and data-driven breeding decisions is a key objective of SRG’s work and will underpin improvements in productivity, welfare and welfare and environmental performance, helping to future-proof the ruminant industry.

The launch event marks an important milestone for SRG as it moves into the next phase of strategy delivery, with a continued emphasis on transparency, farmer engagement and measurable outcomes.

Future key milestones include the official launch of the Bovine Genetics Project (BGP) at the Balmoral Show later this year and the commencement of the Bovine Genotyping Scheme in September 2026.

The accompanying communications framework aims to strengthen engagement with farmers and stakeholders, ensuring clear, consistent and accessible messaging and related training around the value of genetic progress.

Victor Chestnutt concluded: “We are at the beginning of something genuinely exciting.

“It is essential that Northern Ireland farmers grasp the opportunities presented by SRG to help drive this project to deliver world class leading genetics forward and I have no doubt they will do so.

“By working together, and by making informed, data-led breeding decisions, we can build a more efficient, profitable and sustainable future for our livestock industry.”