Livestock Improvement

What Livestock Improvement does

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) is a New Zealand farmer-owned cooperative founded in 1909 that provides dairy cattle genetics, herd improvement, and animal-health services to commercial dairy farmers. The company's core product is genetically elite bull semen — Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and KiwiCross sires — produced through the Sire Proving Scheme, a four-year daughter-proving programme running since 1961 that graduates roughly 10% of genomically selected sires to fully proven status. LIC sires three out of four NZ dairy cows, conducts approximately 3.6 million inseminations annually in New Zealand through a network of up to 1,000 artificial-breeding technicians, and exports more than one million straws of frozen semen to over 20 countries through three wholly-owned subsidiaries (Australia, UK, Ireland) and a broader distributor network spanning Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and North America.

The technology stack combines genomics, machine learning, and statistical genetics: the proprietary Single Step Animal Model (SSAM) integrates ancestry, phenotypic, and genomic data into genomic Breeding Worth (gBW) estimates, and the firm runs multi-year methane measurement trials using GreenFeed technology to support the HoofPrint environmental index. Complementary product lines include sexed semen (Ultraplus, produced via Sexing Technologies), organic-certified semen, A2/A2, Short Gestation Length, High Input, and Variable Milking indices, plus DNA parentage verification, herd testing services processing 11 million milk samples annually from 8,100 herds, animal-health diagnostics (ELISA, real-time PCR, pregnancy testing via milk), heat-detection hardware (Scratch Patch, Heat Patch Plus), and the MINDA herd management software subscription. Approximately 6.7% of revenue is reinvested into R&D. Genetic gain attributable to LIC contributes an estimated NZ$400 million annually to the NZ dairy economy; the broader NZ dairy sector generated NZ$27 billion in export revenue for the year ending June 2025.

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring subscription services (herd testing from 8,100 herds, MINDA software), transaction-based fees (bull semen sales per straw, DNA/genomic and diagnostic testing on over 2 million animal samples per year), and hardware sales (heat detection products). LIC is structured as a cooperative, with all profits returned to farmer-shareholders as dividends or reinvested into R&D, with no public listing, external parent, or institutional investor disclosed in the source data.

Name

Livestock Improvement

Legal name

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd

Website

https://licnz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LIC is a New Zealand farmer-owned cooperative providing dairy cattle genetics (Holstein Friesian, Jersey, KiwiCross bull semen), genomic evaluation, herd testing, and animal-health diagnostics to commercial dairy farmers in NZ and 20+ countries via three subsidiaries and a global distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dairy Cattle Genetics and Herd Improvement

NAICS

All Other Animal Production (11299)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Herd Health, Preventive Medicine & Production Medicine (HLAMABAH), Diagnostics & Laboratory Coordination (Sample Collection, Lab Liaison, Interpretation) (AFACALAE)

Keywords

• Dairy cattle genetics
• Artificial insemination services
• Herd management software
• Bovine genomic testing
• Milk recording services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dairy Genetics - Bull Semen Sales: Sale of dairy bull semen including conventional, sexed, organic, and specialized semen (A2/A2, Short Gestation Length, High Input, Variable Milking) to dairy farmers globally through artificial insemination.
2. Herd Testing Services: Milk recording and herd testing services analyzing milk samples for production, fat, protein, and somatic cell count. Processes 11 million milk samples annually from 8,100 herds.
3. DNA Testing and Genomic Services: DNA parentage verification, disease identification, gene testing, and genomic profiling services. Analyzes over 2 million animal samples annually.
4. MINDA Herd Management Software: Herd management software helping farmers rank animals and visualize herd structure by genetic merit.
5. Heat Detection Products: Sale of heat detection aids including LIC Scratch Patch and LIC Heat Patch Plus for improved AI results.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) is a New Zealand farmer-owned co-operative that produces and sells genetically superior dairy bull semen (Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and KiwiCross breeds) through artificial insemination, supported by genomic evaluation, herd testing/milk recording, DNA parentage verification, animal health diagnostics, and the MINDA herd management software. The company conducts approximately 3.6 million inseminations annually in New Zealand, analyses 11 million milk samples per year from 8,100 herds, and analyses over 2 million animal samples annually for disease identification, gene testing and parentage verification.

Product overview

LIC International is a New Zealand farmer-owned co-operative providing world-class dairy genetics for artificial insemination along with complementary products and services to improve dairy farm profitability and sustainability globally. The core offering comprises three breeds of genetically superior sires (Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and KiwiCross crossbred) offered through bull teams with various selection indices. Supporting products include sexed semen, organic-certified semen, genomic selection services, environmental indexing (HoofPrint), and specialized breeding solutions for A2/A2 milk, variable milking, and high-input systems. The portfolio is complemented by herd management tools (AI Mating Guide, Inbreeding Calculator, MINDA software), heat detection products, DNA parentage verification, and herd testing services. LIC exports dairy genetics to over 20 countries and operates a rigorous four-year Sire Proving Scheme that has been producing elite bulls since 1961.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KiwiCross: A cross between Holstein Friesian and Jersey breeds, providing moderate sized, high solids, very efficient daughters with hybrid vigour benefits

Products and services

• LIC Holstein Friesian

Quantifiable outcome

• Genetic gain contribution of approximately $400 million annually to NZ dairy economy
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sexing Technologies (STgenetics)coreTechnology or IntegrationLIC contracts Sexing Technologies to sex-sort bull semen for AI. STgenetics uses state-of-the-art equipment and specialty media for the best possible conception rates. A selection of LIC's top bulls are available in Ultraplus sexed semen.
• ABS ChilecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorABS Chile serves as LIC's distributor in Chile, accompanying farmer tours and supporting genetics sales to Chilean dairy farmers. The partnership enables LIC to connect with Chilean farmers using New Zealand pasture-based genetics.
• GenimexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGenimex is LIC's distributor of dairy genetics in South Africa. They showcased LIC genetics at the 2026 SA Large Herds Conference and publish the Milk & Honey newsletter for the South African market.
• NZ Animal Evaluation (subsidiary of DairyNZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZ Animal Evaluation develops and delivers technologies for independent evaluation of all NZ dairy animals using the Breeding Worth (BW) index. LIC utilizes this dairy animal evaluation system to help farmers maximize genetic gain.
• CRVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with CRV on methane research trials. In collaboration with AgEmissions Centre (formerly NZAGRC), LIC has run multi-year trials measuring methane emissions from young bulls using GreenFeed technology.
• AgEmissions Centre (formerly NZAGRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on methane research for integrating low-emission genetics into breeding programmes without compromising productivity.
• Shrimpton's Hill HerefordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with leading NZ Hereford breeders to develop easy-calving SGL Hereford sires for Australian farmers.
• St Peter's School / Owl FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwl Farm is a demonstration dairy farm at St Peter's School Cambridge, showcasing research applied at commercial scale with herd in top 5% for Breeding Worth.
• Eurogene AI Services (IRL) LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLIC Ireland office partnered with Eurogene AI Services for artificial insemination services in Ireland from Carrigeen Industrial Estate, Cahir, Co Tipperary.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• DairyNZ: DairyNZ is the NZ dairy industry good body that owns NZ Animal Evaluation, the independent national animal evaluation system underpinning LIC's Breeding Worth index. While not a commercial peer, DairyNZ is a critical ecosystem partner that LIC depends on for evaluation infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Genex Cooperative: Genex is a US-based farmer cooperative providing dairy and beef AI, reproductive services, and calf management. Comparable to LIC in co-op structure, AI services, and herd-reproduction focus, although with a stronger US beef genetics tilt.
• World Wide Sires: World Wide Sires is an international AI and genetics marketing organisation with strong presence in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Comparable to LIC's international distributor model and its focus on exporting premium dairy genetics to non-NZ markets.
• Alta Genetics: Alta Genetics is a global AI and dairy genetics company offering conventional and sexed semen, genomic programs, and reproductive services. Comparable to LIC in product breadth, international distribution model, and target customer (commercial dairy farmers).
• CRV: CRV is a Dutch–New Zealand farmer-owned cooperative providing dairy cattle genetics, AI, and herd improvement services. It is LIC's closest direct peer, competing head-to-head on bull rankings, genomic evaluation, and international markets; LIC even collaborates with CRV on methane research.
• Select Sires Inc. Select Sires is a US farmer-owned cooperative providing dairy and beef AI, sexed semen, and reproductive services. It mirrors LIC's co-operative structure and bull-team model while operating at significantly larger US scale.
• Cogent Breeding (UK): Cogent is a major UK and international AI/genetics provider offering sexed semen and genomic services. Comparable to LIC's UK subsidiary (LIC Europe) through overlapping UK/European customer base and direct competition in dairy AI.
• Semex Alliance: Semex is a Canadian farmer-owned AI cooperative offering genomic and conventional dairy genetics globally. Direct comparison to LIC through co-operative ownership, bull-team sales, and international distributor network across multiple continents.
• ABS Global: ABS Global is one of the world's largest bovine genetics companies, offering conventional and sexed semen, genomic testing, and reproductive services. LIC's distributor in Chile (ABS Chile) and its broad product overlap in AI and genomic services make it a clear international peer and competitor.
• STgenetics (Sexing Technologies): STgenetics is the global leader in sexed semen technology and a major AI/genetics provider. LIC contracts STgenetics for Ultraplus sexed semen production, and STgenetics competes directly with LIC in the international sexed-semen market with its own bull portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/livestock-improvement

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Livestock Improvement