Genus plc

Genus plc is a British-based business selling elite genetics and other products manufactured using biotechnology to cattle and pig farmers. It is headquartered in Basingstoke and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

Genus plc

Company type	Public
Traded as	LSE: GNS FTSE 250 component
ISIN	GB0002074580
Industry	Biotechnology
Founded	1933
Headquarters	Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Key people	Iain Ferguson, Chairman[1] Jorgen Kokke, CEO[1]
Revenue	£668.8 million (2024)[2]
Operating income	£6.4 million (2024)[2]
Net income	£2.4 million (2024)[2]
Website	www.genusplc.com

History

The business has its origins in the former Breeding & Production Division of the Milk Marketing Board which was established in 1933 and broken up in 1994.^[3] In 1999 Genus acquired ABS Global, a company founded by J.R. Prentice in the US as the American Breeders Service in 1941 selling the semen of cattle.^[4] In 2005 Genus acquired, through the takeover of Sygen International plc, PIC, a company founded by six pork producers in the UK as the Pig Improvement Company in 1962.^[5]

Operations

The company has three divisions:^[6]

• ABS - products for cattle
• PIC - products for pigs
• Genus R&D - management of the research and development pipeline for cattle, pigs and other species.

PIC's pedigree herds sire an estimated 30% of commercially reared pigs.^[7]