Genetics Australia Theme

Genetics Australia Holdings Pty Ltd brings the best of global genetics products to Australian farmers and takes the best of Australia to the rest of the world.

Genetics Australia stands on more than 65 years of co-operative heritage, proudly serving Australian dairy and beef farmers with trusted, high-quality genetics. Built by farmers, for farmers, our co-operative foundations continue to shape our values, our decisions and our direction.

Australian genetics are now recognised around the world for their strength, resilience and performance. We carry that legacy forward — ensuring our locally bred, pasture-based genetics remain at the forefront both here at home and across international markets that value how we farm.

What has always set us apart — and always will — is the co-operative spirit at the heart of our business. It keeps us focused on farmers, guides our priorities, and underpins our long-standing commitment to herd improvement across the country.

As Australia’s leader in artificial breeding, we have entered this new chapter from a position of strength. By expanding our capability, we are securing long-term stability while giving farmers greater access to world-leading products, research and services.

Today, we remain dedicated to delivering dependable service, industry-leading genetics and genuine opportunities for our members and the broader farming community. We continue to operate the way we always have — grounded in Australian experience, backed by proven products, and strengthened by the depth of global expertise now alongside us.

The Joint Venture

In 2023, Genetics Australia Co-operative joined with URUS to form Genetics Australia Holdings Pty Ltd. This new entity brought the operations of Genetics Australia and Total Livestock Genetics under one umbrella, allowing us to take both brands to market with greater scale and capability.

Through this partnership, URUS has supported our growth with:

• Access to the extended GENEX product range
• Strengthening of our Australian breeding program, Summit View through collaboration with the global PEAK program

Looking ahead to 2026, we will expand further with the launch of the standalone GENEX brand in Australia, alongside the introduction of Trans Ova — all operating within Genetics Australia Holdings.

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Technology R & D at Genetics Australia Co-operative falls into two broad categories:

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1. Continuing to research and develop the technologies that are our core business – producing straws of semen from proven, elite bulls that ensure maximum pregnancy rates following insemination.Our modern semen processing laboratory and experienced staff and consultants ensure that we achieve this. This continuous research revolves around improving the production and processing of bull semen to ensure that the elite genetics represented in our top bulls becomes as widespread as possible.
2. Research that is at the “cutting edge” of future artificial breeding technologies.

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We are currently involved in collaborations researching cow fertility and controlled breeding, and genetic technologies such as gene discovery and gene and marker assisted selection.

Over the last decade we have been involved in collaborative research projects with a number of Research Institutes and Universities, together with industry, that focus the research and maximize outcomes for the dairy industry. Such collaborations have included the Victorian Department of Primary Industries,  the University of Melbourne, and Monash University.

One major involvement over the years has been with the Cooperative Research Centre for Innovative Dairy Products (the “Dairy CRC”) of which Genetics Australia was a founding partner and with which we continue to have an active involvement. The objectives of the Dairy CRC, which has inputs of around $90 million over 7 years, are to improve dairy productivity and dairy products using the rapidly emerging genetic technologies. Genetics Australia is now involved in the new “Dairy Futures CRC” as a key participant.  The aim of this CRC is to further develop gene marker technology as well as developing new platforms for semen sexing.

These R & D projects are complemented by research undertaken by post-graduate university students on scholarships supported by Genetics Australia under the guidance and supervision of Genetics Australia staff and consultants. These post-graduate students undertake appropriate research projects focused on outcomes that are relevant and applicable to Genetics Australia and to the dairy industry.

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Our Vision

To be an innovative supplier of genetic material to a sustainable agricultural sector. 

Our Mission

Genetics Australia is committed to the sustainability of livestock agriculture through the provision of trusted genetics, products, and services.

Our Values

Genetics Australia have identified the following values and behaviours as being fundamental to the way in which we go about our work and interact with our customers and each other. All of our staff are committed to these values and behaviours, and strive to meet them at all times.

Animal Welfare

Genetics Australia, the largest artificial breeding organisation in Australia, considers the welfare of its animals on its farms, quarantine admission facilities and semen collection centres as a fundamental responsibility. The management staff, along with The Animal Care & Welfare Committee and the Board of Directors seek to implement and enforce the world’s best practises in all relevant areas of animal welfare.

The Animal Care & Welfare Committee at Genetics Australia consists of members employed by the orgainisation and outside members not employed by the orgainisation , with independent views. Members include:

• Genetics Australia’s CEO;
• Genetics Australia’s Farm Manager;
• Current member of Genetics Australia’s Board of Directors;
• Genetics Australia’s Operation Manager (Camperdown & Glenormiston)
• Genetics Australia’s Center Vetanarian;
• Local veterinarian and experienced member of industry

The Board of Director’s primary role is to establish direction, monitor the performance of managers, and oversee the financial accountability of Genetics Australia Holdings (GAH) on behalf of the shareholders. The current shareholders of GAH are Genetics Australia Co-Operative (40%) and URUS Group (60%). The board is made up of 5 directors, two of whom are elected by Genetics Australia Co-Operative, and 3 of whom are elected by URUS Group.

Meet the Board Members

Trevor Henry

(Chairman)
Maffra, Vic.

Trevor was appointed to the Board in May 2010 and has now served for over 10 years.  Formerly a director of the Macalister Demonstration Farm Board for 10 years where he served 4 years as Chairman. Trevor was previously Deputy Chairman GAC from 2013 to 2015 and then served as Chairman from November 2015 June 2023. In June 2023 Trevor stepped down as Chairman of Genetics Australia Co-Operative Board to take a up the position of Chairman on the new Genetics Australia Holdings board. Trevor runs his own successful dairying operation in Gippsland, Victoria, and also often contributes High BPI bulls to our bull line-up.

Jonny O’Brien

Jonny is an experienced finance professional with diverse experience across Private Equity, M&A and business strategy. Today, Jonny owns and manages South Island, a farm management and development business, and consults widely across Australian agriculture. Jonny lives in Kolora and helps oversee a family dairy enterprise south of Simpson.

Huub te Plate

Shano, WI, USA

Huub te Plate leads GENEX as the Chief Executive Officer. Huub has 32 years of industry experience and has dedicated over 23 of those years to GENEX. He was an instrumental force in the cooperative’s international sales for more than 15 years before accepting his current role as CEO. He holds a steadfast commitment to the success of GENEX members and customers through elite cattle genetics, innovative solutions and technologies, and impactful herd care products.

Sander Flanderijn

Sander Flanderijn is the Chief Financial Officer at GENEX. Sander holds a master’s degree in business administration. He has over 18 years of experience in finance and first began his career as an auditor for KPMG. He later joined Koepon Holding where he served as the Finance Manager, Europe, for five years before accepting his current role at GENEX in 2019.

Gregg Topoleski

Gregg Topoleski serves as Chief Financial Officer for URUS. With over 23 years in Finance, he has developed a deep operation and strategic skillset that will complement the URUS leadership team. Before joining URUS, most recently, Gregg served as Finance Executive for Sciences and 3M/KCI. He started his career with GE in the Healthcare and Industrial Technologies divisions