A new online portal for livestock genetics and a cattle genotyping scheme have been launched as the next phase of Northern Ireland’s £60 million Bovine Genetics Project (BGP). The initiative, unveiled by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir at the Balmoral Show on 13 May 2026, aims to give farmers data-driven tools to improve breeding decisions for beef and dairy herds.
Portal Opens for Farmer Registration
Farmers can now register for the project and access the user portal via the Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG) website. The platform allows herd owners to view individual animal and herd performance data, incorporating indicators for environmental sustainability, economic performance and animal health.
The eagerly awaited cattle genotyping scheme will commence in September 2026. Through the project, farmers will be able to identify traits such as feed efficiency and health-related characteristics at an earlier stage, enabling more informed long-term breeding decisions.
- Project budget: £60 million over the programme lifetime
- Portal registration: Open now via srgni.com
- Genotyping scheme start: September 2026
- Training for farmers: Begins September 2026 (online and face-to-face)
Minister Hails “Transformative” Collaboration
Speaking at the launch, Minister Muir described the project as a cornerstone of government-industry cooperation. He said:
“This ambitious and transformative project, which is an exemplar of collaboration between government and industry, will support a more resilient, efficient and environmentally sustainable bovine livestock sector. This initiative is a good example of how we can use science and evidence for the benefit of the industry.”
He added:
“Another significant milestone for the project will see the roll-out of the DAERA-funded cattle genotyping scheme, which will commence in September this year. This world-leading scheme will enable herd owners to improve the accuracy of breeding decisions by identifying traits, such as feed efficiency and health-related characteristics, at an earlier stage.”
Training Programme Underway
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) is currently delivering training to industry professionals, including farm consultants and agents, on how to use the portal. These sessions are designed to equip advisers with the technical expertise needed to help farm business clients register and maximise the benefits of participation.
Farmer-specific training will begin in September 2026, delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face formats.
Broader Context and Unanswered Questions
The Bovine Genetics Project forms part of DAERA’s wider Sustainable Agriculture Programme, which has dedicated funding of £332.5 million per annum. It sits alongside other flagship initiatives such as the Farm Sustainability Payment and the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme.
While the launch marks significant progress, several details remain unclear. The specific cost to farmers for participating in the genotyping scheme, if any, has not been disclosed. Uptake targets for farmer participation have not been published. Additionally, the timeline for extending similar genetic tools to the sheep sector remains undefined.
Five questions stakeholders may consider:
- What level of farmer participation is required to ensure the £60 million investment delivers measurable environmental and productivity gains?
- Will farmers face upfront costs for genotyping tags and equipment, or will the DAERA-funded scheme cover all expenses?
- How will data generated through this Northern Ireland-specific project integrate with existing all-Ireland breeding databases?
- What data ownership and privacy safeguards are in place for farmers sharing genetic and performance information?
- When can sheep farmers expect access to equivalent genetic improvement tools?
Next Steps
With registration now open and the genotyping scheme four months away, attention will turn to farmer uptake and the practical rollout of training. The success of the project will likely depend on whether the promised efficiency gains translate into tangible benefits for farm businesses already navigating significant regulatory and economic pressures.
Farmers seeking further information can visit the SRG website or contact CAFRE regarding training opportunities.