AYR, Scotland, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Neogen Corporation
(Nasdaq: NEOG) announced today that its Scotland-based Neogen Europe subsidiary has
been selected by Scottish Government to perform genomics testing as
part of the government's program to improve the country's beef
herd.
The objective of the Scottish Government's program, The Beef
Efficiency Scheme, is to improve overall herd profitability, and
make the country's beef herd more sustainable — both economically
and environmentally. The five-year project is a partnership between
Scottish Government and Scotland's
Rural College (SRUC). Neogen's European GeneSeek laboratory is
responsible for the project's animal genotyping and supply of
sampling kits.
"The genotyping will be performed using our new GGP-NG 50K chip
and the results that we produce will be used by SRUC, which is
developing predictions for improved genetic selection in respect of
growth rates, feed conversion, maternal behavior, nutrition
practice, and disease resistance for commercial beef farmers," said
Dr. Gary Evans, Neogen's European
business development manager. "We won the contract through a
competitive tender issued by Scottish Government, and a part of our
success was due to our new European genomics facility in Ayr."
Scottish beef has long been recognized for its high quality, and
beef production is at the heart of Scottish agriculture. With an
output in 2013 of about £825m (approximately $1 billion USD) the beef industry alone makes up
26% of Scottish agricultural output — and is the biggest single
sector of the Scottish agricultural industry. The country's
climate, soil type and overall topography create ideal conditions
for beef cattle to thrive.
All processes, procedures and equipment in Neogen Europe's new
laboratory are a carbon copy of Neogen's flagship GeneSeek
laboratory in Lincoln, Nebraska —
which is the largest animal genomics laboratory in the world.
Replicating the set up and integrating the information technology
systems between the two laboratories creates one integrated
operation across the two sites and brings many years of experience,
and the latest genomic developments, to the new laboratory in
Europe.
Neogen's European GeneSeek laboratory is currently processing
samples from cattle, canine and poultry, with more species to
follow soon. The laboratory can work with any sample type including
hair, blood, semen, swabs and tissue.
For further information on Neogen's new genomics laboratory, the
range of genomic testing offered or technical support, email
geneseek@neogeneurope.com or call 01292 526 094.
Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to
food and animal safety. The company's Food Safety Division markets
dehydrated culture media and diagnostic test kits to detect
foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, food allergens, drug residues,
plant diseases and sanitation concerns. 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.
CONTACT: Dr. Gary Evans,
Neogen Europe Ltd.
+44 (0) 1292 525610
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SOURCE Neogen Corporation