Vytelle and GrowSafe Systems Ltd. announced July 14 the combining of their companies with the aim of accelerating genetic advances in bovine biotechnology. The companies will operate as a single precision livestock company under the Vytelle brand to drive the mission to meet the global demands for producing more high-quality protein more sustainably and with more profit potential for cattle producers. Both companies are owned by U.K.-based Wheatsheaf Group.

“By uniting two of the most forward-thinking businesses in the cattle industry, we will help ensure that meat and milk are viable and competitive food choices for generations to come,” said Dr. Alan Barton, operating advisor of Wheatsheaf Group and chairman of the board for Vytelle.

Kerryann Kocher has been named Vytelle’s new chief executive officer, bringing decades of experience in animal health, feed ingredients and protein production to the company.

“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,” Kocher said.

With the combined capabilities of the new Vytelle, cattle producers will be able to convert individual animal performance data into genetic progress faster than ever before. Linking genetic insights available only through GrowSafe’s proprietary efficiency database with breakthrough in vitro fertilization technology, Vytelle’s customers around the world will be able to shorten the interval 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 time span than traditional methods improves producer profitability and sustainability,” Kocher said. “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; developing new capabilities to make this a reality is the major focus of our [research and development] program.”

Wheatsheaf Group is an international investor in food and agriculture focused on creating efficiencies in the production and distribution of food, developing innovative business models and technologies to deliver affordable, nutritious and safe food that sustains both human health and the health of the planet.