Livestock data analysis and insights software company, Black Box Co, will launch a new arm of its business, Base Pair Genomics, at the NT Cattle-men’s Association Conference in Darwin.
The move comes almost 12 months after the Australian company commercialised multi-breed genomics test RePROBI, demonstrating the entrepreneurial nature of Black Box Cofounders, Shannon Speight and Emma Black, as they continue to innovate and provide solutions for the beef industry.
Black Box co-chief executive Shannon Speight says the change to the business structure would allow operations to be streamlined and enables the opportunity to expand genomic product offerings as more technologies become available.
“Base Pair Genomics will provide genomic solutions and education for the Australian beef industry, to ensure cutting-edge genomic technologies are easily accessible for producers,” Shannon says.
“The same knowledgeable and experienced team who has propelled Black Box Co to its position as an industry leader in data analysis and insight generation over the past five years will be harnessed by Base Pair Genomics,” she adds.
“The innovative technology behind the Black Box Co software will also be used to display genomics data in a simple, interactive way, however producers do not have to be a customer of BlackBox Co to reap the benefits of Base Pair Genomics.”
The new business will be spearheaded by Elsie Vincent, who brings extensive knowledge of beef production to the leadership role, including the practical implications of using genomic insights in varying beef operations, and hands-on experience in the Northern Genomics Project, from which RePRO BI was the result.“RePRO BI, the only multi-breed genomic prediction offering genetic insight into eight traits proven to boost profitability and productivity in the northern beef production system, will now fall under the Base Pair Genomics banner,” Elsie says. “
A breakthrough test which allows all breeds to be compared, as well as mixed and crossbred animals to have an accurate genomic prediction, RePRO BI is just the start of the products Base Pair Genomics will eventually offer,” she says.
Base Pair Genomics will also deliver a series of educational workshops, for both new genomics users and those who are experienced with the technologies.
“Our beginner and advanced workshops will be tailored to producers’ needs, to ensure they’re able to get the most out of their genomics data and use the derived insights effectively within their individual operations,” Elsie says.
“Through genomic data, producers can accelerate the impact of genetics of economic importance within their herds, ultimately improving their operation’s resilience, management practices and bottom line.
“We are committed to simplifying the use of genomics and educating producers about the benefits of the technologies, with an ultimate goal of improving beef production throughout the supply chain."
