Fonterra On-Farm Solutions – Genetic Gain Pilot

Fonterra's Genetic Gain Pilot is available to eligible farmers as part of Fonterra's 2026/27 On-Farm Solutions incentive programme, with limited places available.

Eligible farmers can apply to join the Genetic Gain Pilot through Fonterra. Farmers accepted into the pilot can receive a payment of up to $3,000 through their Fonterra milk cheque when they meet the programme criteria.

To be eligible for funding, farmers must use both GeneMark Genomics and Sexed Semen as part of their herd improvement programme and meet Fonterra's programme criteria.

The Genetic Gain Pilot provides funding towards selected herd improvement services designed to support genetic gain, herd productivity and on-farm efficiency.

LIC herd improvement services included in the Genetic Gain Pilot are:

1. GeneMark Genomics testing

DNA parentage testing and genomic evaluation in one simple and convenient service to help you identify your highest genetic merit animals and improve your herd.

To be eligible for funding, farmers must complete GeneMark Genomic testing in the 2026/27 season equivalent to at least 15% of herd size, based on the number of cows at Planned Start of Mating.

Find out more about GeneMark Genomics

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2. Sexed Semen inseminations

Utilise sexed semen to target your herd's mating plan and increase the chances of obtaining a replacement calf from your best performing cows.

To be eligible for funding, farmers must use Sexed Semen during their 2026 spring mating programme, with inseminations equivalent to at least 10% of the herd size (eligible cows as defined by the Spring Mating Fertility Focus Report). Sexed Semen must also be used on higher genetic merit animals, with the average Breeding Worth (BW) of the animals inseminated at least +30 BW above the herd average.

Find out more about Sexed semen

To understand more about the criteria for funding under the Genetic Gain Pilot please refer to Fonterra’s Terms and Conditions [link].

To be part of the Genetic Gain Pilot, farms need to apply through Fonterra’s application form, noting that limited spaces are available. Only farmers accepted by Fonterra into the Genetic Gain Pilot will be eligible for funding. Where farms accepted into the Genetic Gain Pilot do not meet the funding criteria, no payment will be provided.