Bulls

Zoetis to Acquire Neogen’s Animal Genomics Business

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:12:29 GMT

Today, Neogen Corporation , an innovative leader in food safety solutions, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its global genomics business to Zoetis Inc. , the world’s leading animal health company, for $160 million, subject to customary closing adjustments.

Neogen’s planned divestiture, which had been previously announced, was part of the company’s portfolio review strategy to simplify the business and focus on core strategic markets.

“Neogen’s genomics business ( GeneSeek ) has been a pioneer in advanced DNA testing for livestock and has set a high standard for innovation across the livestock sector, with globally recognized solutions spanning genomic prediction, herd improvement and data integration,” says Tom Schultz, Neogen head of commercial global genomics."We’re excited to build on that foundation in our future with Zoetis and to continue advancing tools that strengthen animal health, performance and overall profitability. Customers can expect a thoughtful transition and continued excellent service,”

According to a Zoetis release , “This acquisition aligns directly with Zoetis’ strategy to drive future livestock innovation through genomics, reinforcing its commitment to livestock producers worldwide and advancing its precision animal health portfolio. By integrating Neogen’s genomic technologies and data solutions, Zoetis is expanding its capabilities to deliver predictive insights, individualized care and greater value to customers across major livestock and companion animal species.”

Neogen’s genomics business serves customers in more than 120 countries through its five laboratories in the U.S., Brazil, Australia, China and the United Kingdom, as well as an office location in Canada. The business leverages a comprehensive genotyping platform of fixed array and sequencing technologies, as well as software solutions that empower customers to make informed and data-driven decisions. The business is a leader in U.S. beef and dairy genomics , and its cutting-edge technologies enable highly accurate, scalable genetic testing and deeper insights into animal health, productivity and sustainability.

“This transaction is part of the company’s strategic portfolio review and allows the company to accelerate de-leveraging and improve profitability going forward,” says Mike Nassif, Neogen’s chief executive officer and president. “Furthermore, this deal allows us to focus in areas where the company has the most significant competitive advantage and further leverage our core capabilities in food and animal safety. We are committed to a smooth transition for customers, employees and other stakeholders, and believe the business is well positioned to thrive under Zoetis’ ownership.”

GeneSeek has been a pioneer in advanced DNA testing for livestock and companion animal industries, leveraging a global presence to deliver highly accurate, data-driven insights that contribute to improved animal performance and health, as well as profitability, in the beef, dairy and other industries. Through the flagship Igenity and GGP portfolio and rapid turnaround times, the business offers returns-focused genomic tools and globally recognized standards in genomic prediction to accelerate herd improvement and enable genomics trait screening. Supported by the Encompass platform for genomic data integration and strategic partnerships advancing DNA-backed traceability, GeneSeek is committed to continued innovation and scientific excellence.

“We’re excited to build on our innovative genomics portfolio offerings in our future with Zoetis and to continue advancing tools that strengthen overall animal health, performance, and profitability,” Schultz says. “At Zoetis, genomics becomes a core part of a company fully dedicated to animal health. Zoetis brings deep scientific capabilities, operational scale, and a long-term commitment to genetics and data.”

Jamie Brannan, Zoetis chief commercial officer, adds, “The addition of Neogen’s genomics business strengthens our commitment to advancing animal health through innovation, data and technology. As we continue to grow our leading innovative solutions in Precision Animal Health, this acquisition brings complementary capabilities that expand predictive insights and individualized care, enabling us to deliver added value to customers. Together, we are shaping the future of animal health, empowering customers with the tools they need to support healthier animals and sustainable livestock production globally.”

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first half of the company’s 2027 fiscal year, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. The net proceeds from the transaction are expected to be used primarily for debt reduction. The Neogen genomics business generated approximately $90 million in sales during fiscal year 2025.

“At the time of the announcement, nothing will change,” Schultz explains. “Our customers’ contacts and ordering processes remain the same — products, services and support also remain the same. Customers can expect a thoughtful transition, continued service continuity, and future benefits from Zoetis’ focus in the business. Any changes will be communicated well in advance.”

Zoetis says it is committed to a seamless integration, supporting continuity for colleagues and customers, and building on Neogen’s legacy of innovation in genomics.

Filling Pens: Beef-on-Dairy Feeders Are Here to Stay

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:46:19 GMT

The biggest factor impacting the quality of beef-on-dairy calves in the feedyard is genetic selection.

For the past five years, Hy Plains Feedyard in Montezuma, Kan., has worked with experts to greatly improve their dairy-influenced calves. What might have begun as a trend has only grown and become more popular in filling pens at feedyards.

“We started about 2012 on dairy-cross cattle, and it has taken us up until about this last year with our quality grades,” Tom Jones of Hy Plains says. “Now, these cattle are running about 90% to 100% Choice and 20% to 30% Prime.”

Working with select dairies in Kansas and Nebraska, Jones says genetic selection was the key to improving both quality grades and red meat yield. While they still are not as feed efficient as beef calves, they are still fed the same rations.

Jones says working with Dan Dorn with ABS Global to help navigate genetics was the turning point.

“We were failing miserably until we brought in Dan to help us do this genetic selection. That kind of opened the door for us, and we got better really fast,” Jones explains.

Working with Hy Plains helped ABS gather progeny data in the feedyard to make better sire selections when crossing beef-on-dairy cows.

“We focus on three profit drivers first, and the No. 1 profit driver in the feedyard is feed conversion,” Dorn says. “No. 2 is carcass traits and No. 3 is carcass weight. At ABS, we have been using Sim-Angus genetics from the beginning.”

Working with Dorn on the front end of genetic selection started making a difference in the carcass quality. Next, they consulted with Dale Woerner, Texas Tech University Cargill endowed professor.

“Things really accelerated when we brought in Dale Woerner, and we started looking and measuring red meat yield, quality grade of the cattle and muscling,” Jones explains.

The collected data from all three — Hy Plains, ABS and Texas Tech — were shared and evaluated.

“It really accelerated us into moving these cattle to all Choice and a large percentage of Prime,” Jones says. “It wouldn’t have been near as successful if I hadn’t stuck with those guys.”

Jones works with two dairies that have consistently had 100% Choice cattle and 20% to 30% Prime.

“Nobody thought we’d ever get to that level,” he says.

Dr. Miles Theurer, DVM and research director for Veterinary Research and Consulting Services, works closely with Jones at the Hy Plains research facility and echoes how genetic selection made the biggest improvement in the beef-on-dairy calves.

“The feedyard relied on ABS to figure out how we improve this more rapidly and by really tracing that animal all the way back to that straw of semen,” Theurer says. “We figured out which of those sires worked well and which of them did not perform up to expectations and then how to incorporate that into the selection criteria.”

While more success has been found with beef-on-dairy calves and they continue filling pens at feedyards, one major concern has come to light — liver abscesses .

“Liver abscesses are very challenging on these beef-on-dairy crosses,” Theurer says. “So it varies by location, but also by origin and practices. These can be anywhere from 30% to 40% all the way up to 80% to 90%. Quite a wide range of variation in the amount of liver abscesses.”

Beef calves in comparison in the Midwest are closer to 25% with liver abscesses. This factor has also been taken into consideration with genetic selection, but hasn’t proven to be the answer.

“We need to have more knowledge where these liver abscesses are actually occurring in the production phases for us to develop more appropriate intervention strategies,” Theurer adds. “Right now everyone wants to kind of point the finger at each other, but I think more of that supply communication up and down the supply chain can help find more of the root cause so we can develop effective mitigation strategies.”

Looking ahead, Dorn says beef-on-dairy calves in the feedyard are here to stay and have helped cattle numbers.

“I think as we look at this from the genetic selection, not only on the quality grade but also at some of the red meat yield potential, can help separate these beef-on-dairy crosses for the future,” Theurer summarizes.

Bulls Killed, Mutilated On Oregon Ranch

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:50:30 GMT

Oregon authorities are investigating the deaths and mutilation of five bulls on the Silvies Valley Ranch. The bull carcasses were discovered July 30 and 31 on the ranch in Harney County with no obvious cause of death.

Colby Marshall, vice president of Silvies Valley Ranch, told The Capital Press , there were no outward signs of a struggle — no rope burns on trees, no scattered hoof prints, no strangulation marks. The bulls, he said, look like they simply fell over and died.

Even stranger than the deaths, Harney County Sheriff Deputy Dan Jenkins said, are the mutilations. Only a few pieces of the body were removed on each animal — the anus, scrotum, testicles and tongues. One bull was also missing its penis and the tip of one ear.

The Harney County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police and the Malheur National Forest Emigrant Creek Ranger District are investigating.

Deputy Jenkins said a necropsy to determine the cause of death was not possible because when found the bulls were already past the 24-hour window when a veterinary inspection would have been effective.

Jenkins told The Capital press the missing body parts don’t appear to have been chewed, but the wounds appeared clean-cut.

“The parts were definitely cut out with a sharp blade,” he said. “There weren’t any signs of predatory eating or chewing. They were cut out by at least one person.”

The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association has offered a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible. A separate $25,000 reward is also being offered by an interested party.

Those with information about the case should call the Harney County Dispatch Center at 541-573-6156.

Holstein, Simmental Associations Partner with Beef-Dairy Cross Program

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 05:53:22 GMT

A branded program has been established by two major cattle breed associations to help producers who are utilizing beef on dairy crosses on their farms.

The American Simmental Association (ASA) and Holstein Association USA (HAUSA) announced the creation of the HOLSim branded program on April 9. HOLSim identifies SimAngus bulls with genetic traits that will work for dairy producers.

The three pronged approach aims to:

Provide additional revenue to dairy producers through the production of value-added terminal calves.
Offer new marketing avenues for progressive beef seedstock operations.
Offer a consistent supply of high-quality calves better situated to capture market premiums.

“Holstein producers now have the opportunity to easily participate by simply selecting from the list of HOLSim bulls carried by their semen provider,” says Chip Kemp, ASA Director of Commercial and Industry Operations. “Through the International Genetic Solutions platform, we took a breed agnostic look at what type of beef bulls make the most sense to complement a Holstein female to add the most profitability to the terminal calf.”

To qualify for the HOLSim program bulls must meet the following parameters:

Homozygous black
Homozygous polled
Minimum birth weight accuracy of .4
Meet a minimum threshold in the HOLSim Index

SimAngus bulls that qualify for the program are eligible to bear the HOLSim logo in all marketing and promotional material.

The IGS Feeder Profit Calculator (FPC) is utilized in the HOLSim Index. Using FPC, the index is able to calculate economic situations relevant to Holstein cattle, namely, the need for added calving ease, muscle conformation, grading ability and sensitivity to carcass length.

John Meyer, CEO of Holstein Association USA, believes the breeding program has the potential to change the beef-on-dairy dynamic.

“Instead of just breeding Holsteins to a black beef bull, now dairy farmers can breed to a SimAngus bull that ranks high on the HOLSim index. By doing that, they can raise more profitable offspring coveted by both the feedlot and the consumer,” Meyer says.

Calves must come from Registered Holstein dams and be bred to SimAngus bulls identified through the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time that a beef and a dairy breed association have collaborated to have a specific program to benefit both organizations and their respective members and industries,” Meyer says.

More imoration about HOLSim can be found by visiting simmental.org or holsteinusa.com , or by contacting Darin Johnson at 802-451-4048, or via email.

The following SimAngus bulls are eligible for the breeding program as of April 2019:

Animal Reg Nbr Animal Name Animal Reg Nbr Animal Name

3253063 2E EL DORADO 1E 3344847 IR CAPITALIST E041

3358946 5GF HR 8006 3344814 IR CAPITALIST E071

3381624 5GF HR 8023 3344929 IR CAPITALIST E075

3042611 ASR SUPER BALDY C5122 3344944 IR CAPITALIST E104

3370554 BAR CK BOTTOMLINE 7028 3062953 IR DUNDEE C889

2912129 BAR CK SNOOZE 4015B 3437184 IR F118

3043246 BAR CK 225Z 5191C 3344824 IR MAKERS MARK E044

2808981 BAR CK 38K 915Z 3210728 IR NIGHTRIDE D948

2912142 BAR CK 57X 4028B 3210730 IR OPPORTUNITY D950

3235353 BAR CK PROVISION 6068D 3344851 IR PROSPERITY E107

2809020 BAR CK RODGERS 1004Z 3217690 IR ROBUST D932

3256190 BGIBBS 6240D MAS 4346B 2628568 J BAR J NIGHTRIDE 225Z

3452018 BGL UP RIVER F186B 3281730 JC MR RIVER 020E

3401037 BHSF FHG 38K 641A 222E 3281718 JC MR ZEUS 9201E

3337082 BHSF FHG BEACON 700D 3433254 JC052F

2909046 BHSF PROGRESS 652A 3500805 JC3013F

3478337 BLACK BALANCER 6028 3433316 JC555F

3137515 BRIDLE BIT MR D636 3433292 JC610F

3271399 BRIDLE BIT MR E709 3433261 JC631F

3291807 BROWN ADV AVIATOR E4537 3433269 JC688F

3291826 BROWN ADV BOULDER E4532 2628542 J-J 201Z

3191780 BROWN ADV MR ZEUS D3031 3394630 J-J MR BLK H FRIDE 831F

3191758 BROWN ADV N. RIDE D3029 2895078 K M J B69

3241285 BROWN FSCR AUGUSTUS D209 2849266 K M J BROMLEY B52

3508008 CAMP F8037 3118390 KS AIKMAN D934

3305894 CBL 5E 2977716 KS BATMAN C9234

3078668 CCLC GAME CHANGER B4007 2977449 KS IRON MAN C477

3323132 CCLC MR A3005 E730 3452222 KS MR BOZEMAN F45

3323110 CCLC UPGRADE E707 3259450 KS MR HOME RUN E312

3323112 CCLC UPGRADE E709 2977707 KS SPIDERMAN C7364

3323113 CCLC UPGRADE E710 3268894 LMS PRIME TIME E06L

3323114 CCLC UPGRADE E711 3434548 LOCK N LOAD/1106 W315E

3323124 CCLC UPGRADE E721 3313961 LOCK N LOAD/1106 W780E

3298018 CCR ABSOLUTE 5048E 3313963 LOCK N LOAD/1106 W784E

2720274 CCR ATLAS 0346Z 2969485 LRS 1007C

2880390 CCR BOULDER 1339A 2983741 LTA MR STEP FOCUS

3437417 CCR BOULDER 5131F 2983743 LTA MR STEPN FORWARD

3402023 CCR BOULDER 5555E 3475188 M4 CONVICTION 852F

3437503 CCR BOULDER 6171F 3522736 MCDF BEACON DUAL GAMBLER 8101F

3297857 CCR GRADUATE 3027E 3350201 MCDF COMBO PREMIUM 7165E

3245761 CCR GRADUATE 4512D 3350169 MCDF COMBO VALUE 7171E

3297833 CCR HANDY MAN 2120E 2675278 MCDF DUAL COMBO 262Z

3402008 CCR YUMA 5533E 3350286 MCDF NITERIDE COMBO 7111

3152334 CDI 260D 3522835 MCDF RANCHER JUMP START 8110F

2853893 CLRS BOBCAT 607 B 3522710 MCDF ROBUST DUAL GAMBLER 8188F

2853939 CLRS BOURBON 604 B 3005441 MR WEF INSTINCT 11C

3399333 CLRS FINALIST 380F 3318045 NLC 159E

2735698 CLRS GRADE-A 875 A 3189968 NLC 22D

3087234 DIXON NS PRIME CUT C529 2897686 NLC BARRETT 11B

2697009 DIXON PRIME CUT NS Z209 3160956 OPEN 8 BOZEMAN 691

3056867 DRCK COWABUNGA C21 3345269 PBS-MANIFEST E244

3132024 DRI MAJOR UPGRADE C228 3471934 PBS-PROSPECTOR F83

3180486 EGL DATATRAC 04D 3474619 PPSR BRUISER 105F

3355442 EGL EMERGENT 70E 3311045 RC EASY ANSWER 060E

3355412 EGL EVEREST 25E 3163432 RC EASY ANSWER 093D

3498940 EGL FIRESTEEL 103F 2864036 RC EASY ANSWER 137B

3498942 EGL FIRESTEEL 104F 3252583 RC EASY ANSWER 267D

3498944 EGL FIRESTEEL 110F 3102026 RC EASY ANSWER 269C

3498946 EGL FIRESTEEL 111F 3102031 RC EASY ANSWER 274C

3498947 EGL FIRESTEEL 115F 3102048 RC PREMIUM BEEF 440C

3498948 EGL FIRESTEEL 116F 3409821 RC SIGNIFICANT 464E

3498949 EGL FIRESTEEL 117F 3038663 RC TOP GRADE 131C

3498754 EGL FUSION 16F 3402703 RCR F27

3498766 EGL FUSION 34F 3009938 REDHILL 225Z 160Y 138C

3498771 EGL FUSION 37F 3396688 REDHILL 231A 158B 96F

3330163 ES EC43 3088128 REDHILL 231A 191Z 303C

3481780 ES FX85 3278479 REDHILL 231A 53A 106E

3409199 EWA 7158 OF 3160 BEACON 3395137 REDHILL 294C 281C 356E

3275236 FAUTH PARARAMPAGE 705E 3501041 RFS F632

3275237 FAUTH PROFIT MOUNT 631D 3462183 RFS F7

3337463 FSCR BEACON E185 3426339 RHODES BEACON F64

3337522 FSCR BEACON E206 3426350 RHODES BEACON F82

3337507 FSCR BEACON E207 3476119 RKNWHRT BLACKHAWK 82F

3337493 FSCR BEACON E209 3476120 RKNWHRT BOULEVARD 76F

3337517 FSCR BEACON E210 3294184 RL4 RYMO OLIE POWER F53E

3337524 FSCR BEACON E223 3071124 RLWF NIGHT STRIKER C5274

3234764 FSCR D117 PIRATE B065 3438346 RYMO NICKELBACK K21F

3405128 FSCR F034 3438363 RYMO REVENUE PACE A09F

3405130 FSCR F036 3469647 S D S CONSTITUTION 899F

2622776 GCCR EASY ANSWER Y108 2999063 S D S HOOVER DAM 505C

3104722 GIBBS 5063C HOME RUN 3297282 S D S NIGHTRIDE 703E

3104726 GIBBS 5096C NIT 3290A 3297317 S D S NIGHTRIDE 714E

3104849 GIBBS 5729C COMMANDER 3240536 SF FHG BEACON D90

3256503 GIBBS 6121D TUR W858 3520573 SFG NIGHTRIDE F803

3256504 GIBBS 6155D SUPER DUTY 3045754 SFG3 C205 OF 231A X Z349

3256508 GIBBS 6235D TUR Y531 3486914 SHEL AVIATOR 8378F

3256246 GIBBS 6271D BOL 0609X 3250490 SLN ZEUS 43E

3256369 GIBBS 6427D BOL Y608 3403084 SOUTHERN 045F

3256395 GIBBS 6785D STA 2431Z 3383012 SOUTHERN 1510E

3404218 GIBBS 7022E TRP 5781C 3275795 SOUTHERN 7192E

3404224 GIBBS 7069E TRP 5015C 3383029 SOUTHERN BLK HAWK 383E

3404237 GIBBS 7143E TRP 5095C 3383049 SOUTHERN BLK HAWK 802E

3404240 GIBBS 7177E TRP 5286C 2630148 SSF BLK PRE-DEST Y796

3404317 GIBBS 7180E BOL 5751C 3301622 TFS BLACK SAND 7450E

3088732 GW BLUE COLLAR 399D 3020350 TFS DREAM DOCTOR 5656C

2832529 GW COUNTRY BOY 142B 3460307 TFS REMEDY 8437F

2954746 GW DUAL GAMBLER 029C 3460308 TFS REMEDY 8438F

2954745 GW JACKPOT 027C 3184294 TFS RESOURCE 6407D

3012758 GW PROSPECTOR 389C 2899309 TRPH MR NIGHTRIDE B13

2954741 GW TRIPLE CROWN 018C 3050958 TRPH MR NIGHTRIDE C24

3295296 GW VINDICATOR 312E 3254252 WS LIGHT SPEED E230

3242801 GW-SCC BREAKTHRU 596E 3498031 XXL FUSION 267F

2725800 GW-TF STEP OUT 827Z 3406034 YON HOOVER DAM F154

3423770 HAYS ADMIRAL F08 3246071 YON NIGHTRIDE E352

3273753 HAYS PROPHET E02 3246100 YON NIGHTRIDE E440

3336704 HHR ACHILLES E047 3245966 YON NIGHTRIDE E685

3484469 HHS HOME RUN 836F 3436064 YON NIGHTRIDE F1103

2838197 HHS MR CLEAR PROGRESS 517B 2744919 YON OLIE A188

3013502 HOOK`S CAPITALIST 37C 2980116 YON OLIE C758

3132826 HOOK`S DELANO 87D 3097710 YON OLIE D784

3403355 HOOK`S FEDERALIST 43F 3097616 YON OLIE D806

3403333 HOOK`S FORTE` 21F 3246090 YON OLIE E353

3403336 HOOK`S FUTURITY 24F 3436070 YON OLIE F1109

3062936 IR ABSOLUTE C872 3436053 YON OLIE F1140

3062940 IR ABSOLUTE C876 3436095 YON OLIE F1331

3358314 IR ABSOLUTE E027 3406097 YON OLIE F690

3062949 IR ALUMNI C885 3406120 YON OLIE F691

3210743 IR ALUMNI D963 3406079 YON OLIE F822

3210731 IR BEACON D951 3406082 YON OLIE F997

3358284 IR BEACON E010 3406076 YON SUBSTANCE F352

3344912 IR CAPITALIST E040 3246004 YON WEIGH UP E418

Download the bull list in xlsx format.