Neogen launches streamlined dairy heifer genomic test

LEXINGTON, Ky., July 18, 2014 — Neogen Corporation announced today the development of a new genomic test that offers commercial dairy producers essential information on the genetic potential of replacement dairy heifers.

Neogen’s new Igenity-Select is the latest addition to the Neogen Dairy Heifer Program, which reveals a heifer’s genetic potential well before breeding. Igenity-Select is a lower-cost option that provides producers with information selected to be of most use to commercial dairy farms.

“Our development of the new test is the result of feedback we received from commercial dairymen who expressed a need for a convenient and cost-effective genomic assessment of their animals,” said Neogen’s Dr. Stewart Bauck. “With the key content needed for an accurate genomic evaluation, Igenity-Select is a streamlined product for the specific purpose of genomic evaluation. If you are a commercial producer and want a solid genomic assessment without all of the add-on content for defects and milk components, this is the product for you.”

Igenity-Select can be performed soon after a calf is born, and is another tool in the decision-making process for breeding and heifer selection. The test contains information on all of the key genetic markers needed for the USDA-AIPL genomic evaluation.

In addition to Igenity-Select, the Neogen Dairy Heifer Program also includes:

• Igenity-Elite. The gold standard in dairy genomic evaluation, Igenity-Elite is the largest, most powerful and complete tool for official genomic evaluations. Ideal for donor dams and sire candidates, the test utilizes 80,000 genetic markers and contains all of the additional content for a full assessment of common defects, as well as milk components.
• Igenity-Prime. The workhorse of the dairy genomic evaluation, Igenity-Prime is the global standard for routine dairy genomic assessments. This tool provides more than 26,000 genetic markers needed for an accurate genomic evaluation from the USDA-AIPL, plus the add-on content for assessment of defects and milk components.
• Igenity Dairy Profile-CB (crossbred). Ideal for commercial producers with crossbred cattle, Igenity Dairy Profile-CB is a great tool for producers with breeds, including crossbred animals, not qualifying for the USDA genomic evaluation. Currently, it is the only commercially available test for crossbred animals.

Results from the genomic test can deliver highly reliable genomic data on several different traits, including health traits such as net merit, pregnancy rate, productive life in months and somatic cell score; and yield traits, such as the animal’s milk in fat pounds, fat percentage, protein pounds, and protein percentage.

Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division is a leader in the development of animal genomics, along with the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of animal healthcare products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, veterinary instruments, wound care and disinfectants.