Why is it important for Geno to Why is it important for Geno to establish research collaboration establish research collaboration

with the U.S?with the U.S?

Sverre BjørnstadSverre 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’s opportunities

• 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 needCreating 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

Genetic trend NRF

88

90

92

94

96

98

100

102

104

106

108

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

Year of birth, daughters

Ind

ex

Protein kg

Mastitis

Fertility

No. of veterinary treatments

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

No. of cowsTreatments

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-Norwegianeffort to improve selection for health and fertility in dairy cows

Test results from CaliforniaTrait Holstein Holstein x

MontbeliardeHolstein x Scandinavian

Number 294 194 120

Milk (kg) 31,8 31,0 33,3

Fat (kg) 1,10 1,10 1,17

Protein (kg) 0,94 0,95 1,01

Fat + Protein (kg) 2,10 2,00 2,24

Stillbirth 12 % 3 % 5 %

Dystocia 1,59 1,26 1,19

SCS 2,13 2,33 1,88

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

Units of NRF-semen exported

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

180000

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

Per yearPer august 2004

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

technological resources

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