Leading Technology

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 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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