For future success and sustainability, our products and services are developed with a rigorous, science-based focus. Our scientists, who are extensively published, provide technological solutions with quantifiable benefits for our customers.
Projects
We work on a range of projects in these key areas:
- Data and Machine Learning – leverages genomics, AI, and advanced algorithms to transform animal breeding and on-farm decision-making through innovative data-driven insight
- Variant Discovery - identifies key genetic variants to improve dairy cattle health, fertility, and performance, enabling farmers to access superior genetics and future innovations for hard-to-measure traits.
- Reproduction – liquid semen diluent, sperm metabolism, sexed semen, and cow fertility
- Herd Improvement - drives genetic and herd performance gains for NZ dairy farmers through data insights, technical expertise, and collaboration across LIC and the industry.
- Animal health – trialling new or improved diagnostic tests, ELISA and Real-time PCR technology, and pregnancy testing via milk.
- Methane and Farm Trials - leads on-farm data collection and trials to integrate low-emission genetics into breeding programmes without compromising productivity
- Genomics domain / Genomic evaluation – genomic selection, breeding scheme technical support, and genomic sequencing.
Data and Machine Learning
The LIC Data and Machine Learning group's research programme advances the collection, management, and utilisation of genotypic and phenotypic data to support innovation in animal breeding and on-farm decision making. The team develops and maintains custom genotyping arrays and explores new sequencing technologies to enhance the resolution and cost-effectiveness of genomic insights. Cutting-edge algorithms are created to maximise the value of genotypic data, underpinning tools such as Genemark® Genomics.
Beyond genomics, the group applies Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to a wide spectrum of data, including phenotypic traits, animal health records, farm management information, pedigrees, image, and video data. This work includes developing novel phenotypes derived from ML approaches, enabling new ways of assessing animal performance and resilience. The group is also investigating the potential of generative AI to provide farmers with tailored insights, supporting timely and data-driven decision making on farm.
Variant Discovery
The Variant Discovery team aims to find genetic variants of key importance to NZ's dairy industry. Discoveries include the 'slick' variant that improves the heat tolerance of animals, the 'production variants', genetic disease variants, and variants affecting other animal characteristics such as coat patterns. The team has also recently identified several variants that impact cow and bull fertility. These discoveries allow us to screen and supply bulls with the best genetics - either through selecting variants with positive effects, or selecting against negative variants such as those that cause disease. Farmers who use GeneMark Genomics further benefit from this research, where animals found to be affected by a production variant are reported free of charge. As genomic datasets and methods advance the potential for additional discovery is also increasing. Enabled by these technologies, the future focus of the team is on identifying variants for traits that have been traditionally difficult or expensive to progress - such as improvement of urinary nitrogen concentration or resistance to infectious disease. The team regularly publishes its discoveries in scientific journals, and you can read about some of these here.
Reproduction
The Reproduction research team aims to deliver bovine reproduction research and Artificial Breeding (AB) systems to make farming easier and more profitable.
A large part of our group’s research is focused on liquid semen, ensuring that high quality semen products are delivered on farm to get cows in calf. In the short term, we’re working on process improvements to make the current liquid semen system more robust, such as the implementation of computer assisted semen analyses (CASA) for semen quality control. In the long term, we’re conducting fundamental research to understand sperm biology under liquid storage, to further improve our liquid semen system.
We support the development of new products and services, such as liquid sexed semen. We also play a role in delivering reproduction solutions and advice on farm.
Herd Improvement
The Herd Improvement Team champions the value of herd improvement for New Zealand farmers and the wider dairy industry. Through strong collaboration with LIC’s product and customer experience teams, we deliver practical, relevant support that meets farmers where they are.
Our work starts with defining herd improvement principles and metrics that everyone in the business can adopt. Through modelling and data insights, we show the real impact of herd improvement on farm performance—helping farmers understand how genetics, reproduction, and animal health drive success.
We collaborate closely with LIC’s R&D team to enhance animal evaluation methods and services, provide technical expertise on cow genetics and genomic evaluations, and share knowledge through presentations to farmers, staff, and industry groups. From on-farm discussions to detailed data analysis, our focus is to deliver measurable value for farmers and elevate the principles of herd improvement across LIC and the wider industry.
Animal Health
The Animal Health team plays a vital role in LIC’s mission to support healthier, more productive herds across New Zealand. Working at the intersection of science, technology, and farming, the team focuses on improving disease diagnostics and understanding NZ epidemiology, as well as developing genomic tools.
Their work spans a wide range of health challenges including Johne’s disease, BVD, mastitis, and facial eczema. Through innovative testing methods and data-driven insights, they help farmers make informed decisions that benefit both animal welfare and farm performance.
Collaboration is at the heart of what they do. The team partners with universities, government agencies, and industry groups to drive national initiatives and share knowledge. They’re also exploring cutting-edge technologies like advanced reporting tools, machine learning, and mid-infrared spectroscopy to unlock new possibilities in animal health and genetics.
Whether it’s developing breeding values for disease resistance or contributing to the products delivered by LIC Diagnostics, the Animal Health team is shaping the future of dairy farming—one discovery at a time.
Methane and Farm Trials
The methane and farm trials team are the on-farm animal data collection experts. They work across the R&D team, taking discoveries such as the ‘slick’ variant and testing the performance of these animals in commercial and research conditions. In collaboration with CRV and NZAGRC (now AgEmissions Centre), LIC has run multi-year trials measuring methane emissions from young bulls and their growing (and now lactating) daughters. Using Greenfeed technology, methane from cattle burps is recorded in parts per million, enabling accurate assessments of genetic influence on emissions. The goal is to integrate methane breeding values into selection programmes, allowing farmers to select low-emission sires without compromising productivity.
