After a year in this role, I've found one of my favourite topics to chat about is genomics. The science behind it has always fascinated me, the reading of DNA to identify the base pairs that exist at certain locations. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself here. What exactly is genomics? 

In simple terms, it's the science of analysing an animal's complete set of DNA - its genome - to identify its genetic potential. Unlike traditional genetic selection methods that rely on visual assessment and pedigree, genomics allows us to directly 'read' the genetic code, revealing valuable traits and predicting performance with far greater accuracy.

In livestock breeding, this technology is changing the game (possibly one of the biggest disrupters we’ve seen recently). By identifying thousands of DNA markers (known as single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs), we can link specific genes to traits like growth rate, fertility, marbling and more. These markers are compared against massive reference populations - that is, animals with known genotypes and performance records - to generate genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs). These GEBVs are just like traditional breeding values but enhanced by the power of DNA.

In other words, genomics gives producers unprecedented insight into their animals' genetic makeup long before performance data becomes available. But with all this insight comes a fair share of confusion, and I’ve noticed several persistent myths that seem to hold producers back from fully embracing this technology. So, I thought together we could channel our inner MythBusters and tackle some of these misconceptions head-on.

Myth #1: Genomics will make my breeding values better

I think this is a common misconception, that genomics will magically improve your breeding values. Using genomics won’t make your breeding values better or worse, it simply reveals what's already there. 

This myth may have emerged because genomics does improve accuracy, and that can sometimes be misunderstood as an improvement in the values themselves. Genomics increases the precision of breeding values, especially for young animals without progeny data. Think of it as removing fog from your windshield. The road hasn't changed, but you can see it much more clearly and navigate with greater confidence.

Better accuracy is especially valuable when making early selection decisions. For example, if you’re choosing young sires for breeding, having genomic data gives you a more reliable picture of their genetic potential, before you’ve seen any performance results. It reduces the guesswork and allows you to identify potential top performers earlier - reducing costly mistakes and speeding up the rate of genetic gain in your flock or herd.

Myth #2: Genomic testing is only worthwhile for seedstock producers

While stud breeders were the early adopters of genomic testing (and maybe that’s helped fuel this myth), it’s a mistake to think that genomics only has value at the seedstock level. Commercial producers can absolutely benefit and, in many cases, even small-scale testing can lead to meaningful returns when used strategically.

Genomics is increasingly helping commercial sheep producers make more confident, data-driven decisions, particularly when it comes to lifting the overall productivity of their ewe base. Rather than relying solely on visual appraisal or basic pedigree, tools like Flock Profile provide a DNA-based snapshot of the genetic potential within your flock. By genotyping a small, representative group of young ewes (typically 20–25 animals), producers can benchmark the average genetic merit for traits like lambing percentage, growth, fleece quantity and worm resistance. This creates a clear starting point, helping identify areas for improvement and guiding more informed ram selection going forward. 

For commercial cattle producers, platforms like Igenity Beef offer a similar opportunity. By testing commercial heifers, producers can get valuable genomic predictions for maternal ability, growth and carcass traits, amongst others. This helps with selecting better females and improving herd consistency, lifting overall herd performance. It’s a practical way to make earlier, more informed decisions, without waiting years for physical performance data to come through.

In challenging or variable environments, this kind of insight becomes even more valuable. In the future, I think we’ll see genomics help identify animals with greater resilience, fertility or feed efficiency - traits that are often difficult to measure accurately but can have a big impact on long-term productivity. And in commercial systems where large numbers of lambs or calves are turned off each year, even small improvements in genetic merit can quickly translate into real profit. Genomics isn’t just for the studs. When applied strategically, it’s a practical, cost-effective tool for commercial producers looking to improve profitability, productivity and long-term genetic progress.

Myth #3: Genomics is too expensive and only worth it if you test every animal

Cost can be one of the biggest concerns when producers start thinking about genomics - and understandably so. Genomic testing comes with a price tag, and in a tight season or large operation, the costs add up and may feel hard to justify. But like many decisions in livestock production, the key isn’t just looking at the upfront expense, it’s about understanding the return on investment.

Yes, the cost of testing varies depending on the species, breed and the type of genomic package used. But what you’re really paying for is better information - better information that you can use to make better decisions. In my work with clients, I’ve found that the most successful and cost-effective approach is a targeted testing strategy, rather than blanket testing every animal.

One practical option is to identify a nucleus group - a select portion of your flock or herd that’s most influential to the genetic direction of your operation. By testing all progeny from this group, you can get high-quality genomic data on the animals most likely to drive future performance. This helps ensure that you're applying testing where it has the greatest impact - the animals that will shape your genetic progress for years to come.

And now we’re starting to see hard data backing up this approach. A recent study looking at return on investment, reported by Beef Central, found that investing in genomic testing for commercial heifers using tools like Igenity Beef can generate significant returns. The study, which involved producers across multiple Australian beef operations, showed that even a modest investment in genomic selection led to improved fertility, productivity and overall profitability. In some scenarios, the return on investment was over $2 for every $1 spent on testing, thanks to more accurate heifer selection, reduced replacement costs and improved herd consistency. 

Whether you're selecting rams, heifers or replacement ewes, getting those decisions right early can save you thousands down the line, not to mention the flow-on benefits in genetic gain, efficiency and market performance. I believe the real trick is to have a clear purpose for your testing: ‘What decisions will the information help me make?’ and ‘What’s the potential value of getting those decisions right?’. With the right strategy in place, genomics becomes far less about cost and far more about opportunity.

Myth #4 Genotyping will automatically give more genetic progress

It’s nice to think that just collecting DNA samples and running genomic tests will lead to faster genetic progress, but genotyping alone doesn’t create progress. What it does is give you information. Genotyping improves the accuracy of pedigrees and breeding values, helping you see an animal’s genetic potential more clearly. But the real gains only come when that information is used effectively.

Genomics is a tool and like any tool, it only works if you put it to work. To get real genetic improvement, you need to actively use that more accurate information to make more informed selection decisions. That means selecting the right animals, selecting them earlier and applying more pressure to the traits that matter most in your breeding program.

For example, when you're able to identify high-potential young animals based on genomic data, you can make more confident decisions about which ones to join or retain before you’d normally have the performance data to do so. This means shorter generation intervals, more rapid turnover of genetics and ultimately faster progress toward your goals.

But without that follow-through - if you test animals, but don’t actually change the way you select or manage them - the extra accuracy doesn’t turn into improvement. Genotyping gives you the power to drive genetic progress, but you have to steer the wheel. When genomics is combined with clear breeding objectives and consistent selection pressure, that’s when the results really start to show.

Myth #5 Genomics makes traditional selection methods obsolete and means I can stop recording traits

A common but risky assumption is that once you start using genomics, you can stop recording traits or that others in the industry will do enough recording to keep the system working for everyone. The truth is, genomics doesn’t replace traditional selection methods; it depends on them. And without a steady stream of accurate, well-recorded phenotypes, the whole system begins to lose value.

Genomic predictions are built on reference populations - animals with both genotype and phenotype data - and their strength relies on having enough data across a wide range of traits. If you’re a breeder who’s genotyping and recording performance data within your own flock or herd, you’re essentially creating a customised reference population that delivers the most relevant and accurate predictions for your operation. You’re not just benefiting from the system, you’re actively improving it.

But if too many producers start thinking they can step back from recording and let others do the work, we’ll see a real decline in the quality of genomic predictions. And this could lead to a classic tragedy of the commons, aka a situation where individuals, acting in their own self-interest, deplete a shared resource (in this case, genomic accuracy), ultimately harming everyone because no one had the incentive to conserve it.

That’s why I believe there’s a growing need for an industry-supported incentive program. One that recognises and rewards the producers who are doing the heavy lifting by contributing both genotypes and high-quality phenotypes. These are the people sustaining the system for the long term, and their efforts deserve meaningful recognition, whether through financial rebates, advanced benchmarking access or priority tools.

The best results come when genomics is used alongside strong visual appraisal, pedigree and performance recording. We’re not replacing old practices, we're enhancing them. Genomics is an incredibly powerful tool, but it only works when supported by solid, consistent data collection. So, rather than asking, 'What can I get from genomics?', the better question might be, 'What can I contribute to make it work even better?'

Myth #6 Genomic results are too complicated for practical use

It’s true that the science behind genomics is complex. We’re talking about thousands of DNA markers, statistical models and reference populations. But just because the technology is advanced doesn’t mean it has to be confusing or difficult to use on-farm.

The best genomic testing programs are designed to translate that complex science into clear, actionable recommendations. Whether it’s identifying your top-performing ewe lambs, selecting bulls or rams with superior breeding potential, or benchmarking your herd or flock against industry averages, the output is practical and relevant. For sheep producers using Sheep Genetics, genomic test results are integrated into Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs), just like traditional performance data, so the information appears in the same format you're already used to. For cattle producers, genomic data feeds into EBVs through BREEDPLAN, again improving accuracy without changing how the results are displayed.

In fact, one of the biggest advantages of genomic testing is that it complements and strengthens the tools you’re already using, helping to fill in the gaps and allowing you to make earlier decisions with more confidence.

In my experience, producers are most successful when they focus less on the technical details and more on how the information can help answer key questions: 

Which animals should I keep? 

Which should I sell? 

What traits am I trying to improve in my next generation? 

You don’t need to understand SNPs, algorithms or reference populations to make a better replacement decision. You just need to know what the results are telling you in practical terms.

And that’s where good support can make all the difference. Service providers, commercial test providers and independent consultants (that’s where we come in!) can help interpret results and link them back to your breeding objectives. Whether you're new to genomics or just need a second opinion, having someone in your corner to break down the data and guide you to apply it most effectively can help you go neXt level! So, while the science might seem intimidating at first glance, the application is straightforward, especially when the right people and systems are in place to help you get the most out of it.

From myth to momentum 

By busting these common myths, I hope more producers can see how genomic testing can be practically and profitably integrated into their operations. The science of DNA testing isn’t just for researchers or elite seedstock breeders. When applied strategically, it’s a tool that delivers real-world benefits across all types of livestock enterprises.

What I’ve learnt through my work with neXtgen Agri is that real genetic progress comes from decisions grounded in data, not assumptions. While traditional selection methods still play an important role, genomic testing brings an extra level of clarity and confidence, helping you make earlier, more accurate breeding decisions.

Genomics doesn’t change an animal’s genetic merit, it simply gives you more information about what’s already there. That insight reduces the guesswork and allows you to move forward with more direction and purpose. Whether you're selecting replacements, evaluating young sires or shaping your long-term breeding strategy, genomic information helps you make decisions based on what is, not what seems to be.

So, as you consider your next steps in genetic improvement, remember the wisdom behind the MythBusters approach: Don’t just believe it. Test it. Because when it comes to breeding the most productive, efficient and profitable livestock possible, verified data will always outperform even the most compelling myths.

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Join the conversation on The Hub

Take a moment to head over to the neXtgen Agri Hub to share your thoughts and questions. We’d love to hear about your thoughts on the use of genomics in livestock breeding and what the future holds for this technology.

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Further reading

ROI study finds investment in genomic selection tools for commercial heifers adds up - Beef Central

Demystifying DNA technology: a livestock breeders guide to genomic selection - Neogen Australasia, the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, Meat & Livestock Australia, Sheep Genetics Australia, and Angus Australia