Science-based cattle breeding: genetics for healthy, efficient dairy and beef cattle from the Nordic cooperative tradition
VikingGenetics
Randers SØ (Assentoft), DenmarkNew on Amplifa
About VikingGenetics
VikingGenetics is a farmer-owned cooperative with member cooperatives in Denmark (VikingDanmark), Sweden (Växa Sverige) and Finland (Faba), together uniting around 16,000 farmers. The company develops and markets science-based cattle genetics for dairy and beef producers worldwide, including the breeding programmes VikingHolstein, VikingRed, VikingJersey, VikingGoldenCross, ProCROSS as well as VikingBeef and Beef-on-Dairy solutions. The foundation is the Nordic Total Merit system NTM with 90 sub-indices across 15 main traits, combining health and performance traits from a unique Nordic database with more than 740,000 cows recorded annually. The portfolio includes genomic testing, sexed semen (X-Vik/Y-Vik), the mating planner VikMate, herd analyses and advisory services. At the headquarters in Assentoft (Randers SØ, Denmark), all steps of the production chain are covered, from bull rearing through research and breeding to the dispatch of semen doses. With the Saved Feed Index, the Cattle Feed Intake System (CFIT) using 3D cameras, and methane breeding values from 2025, VikingGenetics addresses feed efficiency and the climate impact of cattle farming.
- Site
- DK-8960 Randers SØ
- Processes
- VikMate mating planner, Genomic testing, Sexed semen (X-Vik/Y-Vik), Herd analysis, Advisory services, Beef-on-Dairy solutions, Lectures/training
- Materials
- VikingHolstein, VikingRed, VikingJersey, Nordic Total Merit Index, Nordic Beef on Dairy Index, Saved Feed Index
- Certificates
- Code EFABAR, UN Global Compact
- Industries
- Dairy farming, Cattle breeding, Beef production
- 01
Bull rearing
- 02
Research & development
- 03
Genetic evaluation (NAV/NTM)
- 04
Genomic testing
- 05
Semen production
- 06
Sales & advisory
Breeding Programmes & Indices
VikingHolstein
High-performance, fertile dairy breed with a focus on longevity and efficiency.
VikingRed
Robust breed, widely used in crossbreeding (VikingGoldenCross).
VikingJersey
Dairy breed specialised in milk solids (fat/protein).
Nordic Total Merit Index
Combined breeding value index made up of 90 sub-indices for health, fertility and production.
Nordic Beef on Dairy Index
Index for calving ease, growth and carcass quality in Beef-on-Dairy sire use.
Saved Feed Index
Index for feed efficiency based on CFIT individual-animal data (3D cameras, AI).
Locations
Randers SØ (Assentoft)
DKHeadquarters
- Materials
- VikingHolstein, VikingRed, VikingJersey
- CFIT (Cattle Feed Intake System) with 3D cameras
- Bull barns
- Semen production
Products & Solutions
Inside the production
Industries
Additional services
Quality & Responsibility
VikingGenetics has been certified under Code EFABAR since 2017 and additionally commits to the principles of the UN Global Compact. The high reliability of breeding values is based on standardised, veterinary-supervised recording of health and performance data in the Nordic data system (NAV).
| Evidence | Randers SØ (Assentoft) |
|---|---|
| Code EFABAR | |
| UN Global Compact |
History
- 1982
Mastitis resistance index added to NTM
- 1987
General Health Index added to NTM
- 2002
Foundation of NAV (Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation)
- 2005
Longevity Index and stillbirths added to the calving index
- 2011
First Hoof Health Index based on over 6 million hoof trimming records
- 2016
Youngstock Survival Index introduced
- 2017
Code EFABAR certification received
- 2018
Nordic Beef on Dairy Index (NBDI) published for the first time
- 2019
Introduction of the Saved Feed Index
- 2025
Methane Breeding Values for VikingHolstein from the May 2025 Proof Run