ABP Food Group, a UK-based beef processor, has formed a strategic partnership with global genetics company Genus to produce sustainable and high quality meat.
The multi-year agreement aimed at furthering beef genetics at the primary producer level, collaborates Genus's genomics technology platform with ABP's extensive UK beef production and traceability model.
ABP Food Group CEO Paul Finnerty said that major strides in genetic improvement have been made in pork, poultry and dairy in recent decades, but beef has lagged behind.
"Collaborating with Genus we see the potential for producing even better quality beef from a more sustainable and efficient supply chain, thereby underpinning the competiveness of our business," added Finnerty.
Genus will develop a proprietary custom index for beef bulls for ABP, which will provide a rich source of supply chain data, creating a more sustainable beef supply chain generating value through improved feed to weight gain efficiencies, carcass values and better quality product for the consumer.
The genetic company will commence providing superior beef genetics to ABP suppliers during the second half of 2014.
Genus CEO Karim Bitar said: "We believe that by entering into strategic partnerships with integrated beef producers, together we will be able to deliver significant value enhancement across the supply chain. ABP has a track record of implementing cutting edge technology in order to produce high quality beef with maximum efficiency, and we are delighted to be working with them to drive this significant opportunity."
