Sustainability Initiatives
At Genus ABS, sustainability is more than a buzzword; it’s the heart of our operations. It’s been built into every decision we’ve made over the last 80 years and the ones we continue to make. Our mission remains the same: pioneering animal genetic improvement to sustainably nourish the world.
Our tailored breeding programmes and elite genetics empower producers to raise cattle that live longer, produce more efficiently, and have a lower environmental footprint. Through innovative genetic strategics and relentless improvement of genetic technologies, we help farmers maximise the value of every calf and minimise resources inputs needed. Ultimately, we support farmers in creating more from less!
Our Sustainability Pillars
We aren’t just in the business of genetics; we are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture, one calf at a time. At our core, we want to partner with farmers to help them to produce high quality, affordable meat and milk more efficiently and sustainably. Our portfolio of genetic and reproductive solutions already makes our customers more efficient, profitable, and sustainable. They are the foundation of our sustainability pillars.
Creating Greater Efficiencies
Efficiency is at the core of sustainable farming. By breeding animals that convert feed more effectively and produce more profitably, we help farmers reduce costs and environmental impacts which maximises returns.
Creating Better Animal Health
Healthy animals are more productive and require fewer resources, which benefits farmers and the environment alike. By focusing these genetics, we support farmers in raising efficient and robust herds.
Creating Conscious Communities
To us, sustainability includes creating ethical practices that care for the environment, support animal welfare, and promote genetic diversity in cattle. This secures farming livelihoods, improves food security, provides quality livestock products and works toward reducing environmental impact.
All of this is… Genetics for Good.
Ground-breaking Research: Proving the Value of Genetic Improvement
We are proud that our pioneering beef-on-dairy (BxD) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has now been published in the Journal of Dairy Science, providing peer-reviewed validation of the role genetics can play in improving sustainability.
Developed in line with internationally recognised ISO standards, our LCA used data from more than 60,000 animals across commercial production systems in the UK and US. The research found that targeted genetic improvement through the ABS NuEra® Genetics programme reduced overall environmental impact by 4.5% to 8.8%, while supporting productivity and profitability.
Unlike many assessments that focus solely on greenhouse gas emissions, our LCA evaluated 16 environmental impact categories, including climate change, water use and quality, land use, air quality, soil health and resource efficiency. The findings demonstrate that the same genetic improvements that drive performance can also contribute to lower environmental impact.
Co-funded by Innovate UK and DEFRA in partnership with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the Climate Smart Genetics project is helping advance new ways to measure and reduce the environmental footprint of beef production.
NuEra Genetics®: The Future of Sustainable Protein
Using real-world performance data from more than 60,000 BxD animals in UK commercial systems, the assessments show that using NuEra Genetics® leads to higher growth rates, reduced inputs, enhanced feed conversion, and a measurable reduction in methane emissions intensity. The results reveal that with a targeted genetic improvement programme, farmers can reduce emissions by up to 9% per year—all by choosing the right genetics.
NuEra Genetics offers farmers the opportunity to produce higher-quality, more sustainable protein with reduced environmental impact and improved profitability. With the power of NuEra Genetics and a targeted genetic improvement programme, farmers can expect to create more with less, driving the entire supply chain’s efficiency, profitability, and reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions.
Genetic improvement is a long-term solution for sustainability. The impact of genetics delivers permanent and cumulative benefits for farmers, communities, and nature. By providing tools to select the best genetics, Genus ABS can help farmers increase productivity, improve profitability, and minimise environmental impact, empowering them to lead the charge towards a more sustainable agricultural industry.
Learn more about the impact of genetics on productivity, profitability, and sustainability by contacting your Genus ABS Breeding Advisor or complete the form below.