Leading Technology

RNS Number:6587P
Genus PLC
12 September 2003


Immediate Release                                     12 September 2003





  Genus plc's Bovine Genetic Technology in the UK is proven to be World Class



Genus plc ("Genus"), the AIM listed international Bovine Genetics company, is
pleased to announce that the first heifer believed to have been born as a result
of semen exported from the UK into the USA started milking in California and has
demonstrated exceptional milk output.



Over the past four years, semen from 22 bulls from the award winning Genus UK
stud has been sold in the USA.  The first calves were born in 2001 and the
earliest of these are now old enough to begin milking.  One of the calves was
born on the Pacheco ranch in Fresno, California, which operates a herd of 15,000
pedigree Friesian cows.  The owner, Mr Brian Pacheco, is very impressed by the
milk yield from this two year old heifer and has said: "We will definitely be
using more semen from Genus' UK stud in the future". "At her last test, when she
was 73 days in milk during her first year of lactation, she was producing an
annual equivalent of approximately 11,400 litres of milk".



This compares with a typical heifer born to a UK cow on an average UK farm,
where yields would only be 6,000 - 7,000 litres per annum.



The Genus bovine genetics research and development programme was initiated in
the UK in 1996 and was augmented by a US programme when Genus acquired ABS in
1999.  Genus uses leading edge genetic technology from its science programme to
produce world leading bulls.  Semen from these bulls is used by top farmers in
40 markets around the world.



Richard Wood, CEO of Genus, commented:


"Once again, Genus has demonstrated the international leadership of its bovine
genetics technology.  The world class rating of the semen from the Genus UK
genetics programme, shown so clearly by the performance of this heifer, bodes
well for the future of our semen sales now originating from the five studs
located in four continents.  We have top genetics for all the important breeds
used by beef or dairy farmers for their herds whether in temperate or tropical
agriculture".



Contacts:


Genus                                          Tel:  + 44 (0)1256 347 101
Richard Wood, Chief Executive

Buchanan Communications                        Tel:  + 44 (0)20 7466 5000
Charles Ryland
Catherine Miles




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