July 15, 2020

Vytelle, GrowSafecombine to create synergies in bovine biotech

Vytelle and GrowSafe Systems, Ltd. announced July 14the combining of their companies to accelerate genetic advances in bovine biotechnology.

Both companies are owned by UK-based Wheatsheaf Group, an international investor in food and agriculture focused on creating efficiencies in the production and distribution of food, developing business models and technologies to deliver affordable, nutritious and safe food that sustains both human health and the health of the planet.

The companies will operate as a single precision livestock company under the Vytelle brand to drive the mission to meet global demand for producing more high-quality protein, more sustainably, and with more profit potential for cattle producers.

"With the world literally hungry for protein, and the recognition that our industry must meet rising food demand while reducing resource intensity, there is a clear need to integrate precision livestock technologies and support our customers in their production of sustainably sourced meat and milk," said Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle.

With the combined capabilities of the new Vytelle, cattle producers will be able to more quickly convert individual animal performance data into genetic progress. Linking genetic insights available only through GrowSafe's proprietary efficiency database with breakthrough IVF (in vitro fertilization) technology, Vytelle's customers will be able to shorten the time between elite animal identification and optimal marketing of those genetics within the beef and dairy value streams.

"Identifying resource-efficient animals is a key challenge for cattle producers, and breeding to perpetuate resource-efficient traits in a far shorter timespan than traditional methods improves producer profitability and sustainability," Kocher added. "Our goal at the new Vytelle is to close the feedback loop between genotype and phenotype, helping beef and dairy producers fast-forward generational advances by matching genetic traits to optimal outcomes for our customers and the environment."