Rissington Cattle Company

What Rissington Cattle Company does

Rissington Cattle Company is a family-owned beef improvement business based in Rissington, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, operating since 1882 across six generations of the Absolom family. The company manages nearly 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) including a bull testing feedlot and produces natural service and AI bulls across Angus, Charolais, and the proprietary Profit Maker® multi-breed composite (Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh, South Devon retaining 75% F1 hybrid vigour). Its core technology stack includes HD50K SNP genomic profiling, the Leachman $Profit Global Multibreed Analysis (covering 1.5 million animals), the Inherit Select genomic tool co-developed with Zoetis, Beef Central animal data management, and a Vytelle Sense feed efficiency testing facility built in 2017.

The company serves two primary customer segments: beef farmers seeking genetic improvement through contracted bulls and genomic testing, and dairy farmers seeking beef genetics for non-replacement cows via the Beef on Dairy Programme. Revenue is generated through one-time bull sales (yearling bulls at minimum 500kg and 2-year-old bulls with price and specification certainty up to 2 years out) and semen sales distributed through LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation) and directly. The Rissington Cattle Club membership program layers on data management, branded genetics, and access to a dedicated beef producer group integrated with Taylor Preston (a leading NZ meat processor) and Southern Pastures (a top 10 NZ dairy farming business).

Go-to-market is sales-led and partnership-driven, with multi-decade relationships spanning 20-50 years across generations with named partners including Leachman Cattle (~40 years), LIC (30+ years), Zoetis, Vytelle, Taylor Preston, Southern Pastures, and Ruminate. The company operates exclusively in New Zealand, with potential export runway through LIC international and the 2025 RSG New Zealand semen partnership. Headcount is 11-50 employees and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Rissington Cattle Company

Legal name

Rissington Cattle Company

Website

https://rissington.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1882

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rissington Cattle Company is a family-owned New Zealand beef improvement business producing breeding bulls, AI semen, and genomic evaluation services for beef and dairy farmers, leveraging HD50K genomic testing, the Leachman $Profit Global Multibreed Analysis, and long-term partnerships with LIC, Leachman Cattle, and Zoetis.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beef Cattle Genetics

NAICS

Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming (112111), Livestock Merchant Wholesalers (424520)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Genetic Trait Selection (e.g., polled, disease resistance) Services (AFAEAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integrated Beef Production (Cow-Calf to Finish) (AFAEABAH), Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD), Livestock Performance Monitoring Services (Weighing Programs, BCS, Data Capture) (AFACAEAL), Livestock Identification & Recordkeeping Services (RFID Tagging, Traceability Setup) (AFACAEAH)

Keywords

• Beef cattle breeding
• Livestock genetics
• Bull semen sales
• Genomic evaluation services
• Beef on dairy

Headquarters

HQ city

Napier

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bull Sales: Sale of natural service and AI bulls to beef and dairy farmer partners. Includes yearling bulls (minimum 500kg delivery target) and 2-year-old bulls. Bulls selected using genomic testing and $Profit indexes.
2. Semen Sales: Sale of beef semen products (Angus, Profit Maker, Charolais, Simmental) through LIC distribution partners and direct LIC representatives. Major distribution channel for dairy market.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rissington Cattle Company is a sixth-generation family-owned beef improvement business that produces and sells natural service and AI breeding bulls (Angus, Charolais, and the multi-breed composite Profit Maker), distributes beef semen through partner channels, and provides genomic evaluation services (Inherit Select, HD50K testing, $Profit indexes) for beef and dairy farmer partners in New Zealand. The company runs a long-term contract partnering programme offering price and specification certainty up to two years out, supported by a dedicated feed efficiency testing facility and the Beef Central herd data management platform.

Product overview

Rissington Cattle Company is a family-owned beef improvement business operating since 1882, offering a portfolio of cattle genetics and related services for beef and dairy farmers. Its core offerings centre on bull breeding and sales (yearling and 2-year-old natural service bulls), AI semen products, and genomic testing services. The product line spans multiple cattle breeds — Angus, Charolais, and the multi-breed composite Profit Maker — supported by the Inherit Select genomic tool (providing GEBVs for 20+ traits via HD50K DNA testing), the Leachman $Profit Global Multibreed Analysis, and the Rissington Cattle Club membership programme. A Beef on Dairy Programme integrates elite beef genetics with New Zealand's dairy herd, supported by a dedicated feedlot for bull grow-out and feed efficiency testing, and animal data management via Beef Central.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Profit Maker®: A multi-breed composite breed developed by Leachman Cattle Company, consisting of a blend of Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh and South Devon breeds. Retains 75% of F1 hybrid vigour. Used for beef production in both beef and dairy operations.

Products and services

• Bull Breeding & Sales (Beef)

Quantifiable outcome

• 8% improvement in weaning weight when purebred cow mated to bull of different breed (MARC research)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and supporting.

• RSG New ZealandkeyTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Animal breeding services successor to ABS (ceased 2025). Collection of large quantities of semen for domestic dairy market and some export markets. Involvement in customized bull breeding using TVR (trans-vaginal recovery), IVP (in vitro production), and sexed semen technologies since 2010 to accelerate genetic gain.
• Southern PasturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Top 10 largest dairy farming businesses in NZ with farms in South Waikato and Canterbury. Partnership began 2020 to build beef (non-replacement) side of business. Includes establishment of dedicated beef producer group with Taylor Preston. Mission to deliver premium health-giving dairy products with ethical, consumer-led approach.
• VytellekeyTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Global leader in precision livestock technology. Partnership since 2018 established first Vytelle Sense system in NZ for feed efficiency testing. Leverages advanced data-driven performance analytics and precision tools alongside Rissington's beef breeding expertise. Focus on identifying and multiplying elite genetics more rapidly.
• Leachman CattlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearly 40-year partnership with Leachman Cattle Company of Colorado, USA. Combined genetic predictions into single $Profit Global Multi-Breed Analysis covering 1.5 million animals. Rissington contributed data as part of global analysis development. Leachman sells 2,000+ bulls annually with co-operator breeders throughout US. Joint development of Profit Maker multi-breed composite breed.
• ZoetiscoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal animal health company providing genetic solutions. Rissington contributed 1.2 million animal records as primary data source for Inherit Select product development. Zoetis provides genomic testing, GEBVs for 20+ traits, and $Profit indexes for commercial farmers. Part of Leachman global partners group.
• LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNZ dairy farmer cooperative and largest herd improvement company. 30+ year partnership for packaging and delivering beef products for non-replacement dairy calves. Rissington supplies Angus, Profit Maker, Charolais and Simmental semen through LIC representatives and international channels.
• Taylor PrestoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading NZ meat processor with commitment to quality and traceability. Established dedicated beef producer group with Rissington and Southern Pastures. Brings together expertise in meat processing, beef genetics, and sustainable dairy farming. Provides carcass data feedback through Beef Central system.
• RuminatesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnimal nutrition partner for over 25 years. Integral to feedlot design and diet optimization. Jointly works on optimizing pastoral environment with supplements for animal health, wellbeing and performance for Rissington and farmer partners.
• Te ParisupportingOthers25+ year relationship relying on Te Pari cattle crushes and yards for accurate recording, safety, and ease of operation. Shared ideas on design and solutions in the field.
• Duncan Family (Waipu Feedlot)supportingOthersManawatu-based feedlot where Profit Maker herd bulls are grown out to specification. Bulls selected from farmer partner beef cow herds using genomic testing are transferred for growing out.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Alta Genetics: Global livestock genetics company providing dairy and beef semen and reproductive services. Comparable as a competing AI genetics provider serving similar beef and dairy farmer segments.
• ABS Global: Global livestock genetics company providing bovine semen, embryos, and genetic services across beef and dairy. Comparable as a large-scale provider of AI genetics with similar beef and dairy farmer customer base.
• Genus plc: UK-listed global animal genetics company operating ABS, PIC, and IntelliGen. Comparable as a diversified, publicly-traded animal genetics incumbent with beef and dairy genetic product lines and global distribution.
• CRV International: International dairy and beef genetics cooperative with significant NZ presence through CRV Ambreed. Comparable as a multi-country livestock genetics provider selling semen and breeding services to similar beef-on-dairy farmers.
• Zoetis: Global animal health and genetics leader that co-developed the Inherit Select genomic tool using 1.2M animal records from Rissington and Leachman. Zoetis is the dominant incumbent in animal genomics with vastly larger R&D and commercial reach.

Direct peers

• LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation): NZ farmer cooperative and largest NZ herd improvement company. Acts as both Rissington's primary semen distribution partner and a competing provider of dairy and beef genetics in the NZ market, with overlapping customer base of dairy farmers.
• Leachman Cattle Company: US-based beef genetics operation with ~40-year partnership and joint development of the $Profit evaluation and Profit Maker composite. Both produce and sell breeding bulls using the same multi-breed genetic evaluation, making them the most directly comparable peer.

Peers

• Select Sires Inc.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1qVBgu5DunuHeFWidAfoZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Rissington
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rissington
• Instagraminstagram.com/rissingtoncattleco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Rissington Cattle Company