The big picture with where farming's heading is that we can no longer increase hoof numbers on farms. We've got to get more efficient with the animal that we've got, and the one thing we don't have is information on all our individual ewes on a commercial farm. To lift productivity, we need to get information on the individual sheep so that we can better select our higher-performing, more efficient breeding ewes. And the breakthrough here is low-cost DNA parentage.
Dr Tim Hore is Managing Director of Totogen and Professor at the University of Otago
Tim’s academic research lies on the intersection between epigenetics and development - an area in which he has established an international reputation. If you are interested in Tim’s research follow this link, or this one to read about his work on Covid testing.
Tim co-founded Totogen for very personal reasons. He grew up on a sheep and beef farm on the Maniototo in Otago and his brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Vanessa, run Merino sheep on Blackstone Hill Station. Tim and Ben realised how valuable it would be to have DNA data available across the commercial flock, but also knew that the cost from existing suppliers is prohibitive, even if just to provide parentage data. Tim, along with his wife Dr Donna Bond (also a molecular biologist), brought their research skills to bear and developed a genetic testing methodology that dramatically reduces cost. In summer 2022, Totogen happily processed the first samples from Blackstone Hill! Totogen is being built on that platform, for all the other Bens and Vanessas out there.
Andrew is the Sales Manager for Totogen. He has spent his career working at the intersection of genetics and farm systems—focused on how better information drives better decisions on-farm.
Coming from a strong performance recording background, his family were foundation members of both the NZ Romney Development Group and Waigroup Angus. That early grounding led into composite sheep development with the Kelso Breeding Group, followed by commercial ram breeding.
Since then, his experience has broadened across farm systems and advisory roles with Barenbrug, farm management, and as Breeding Manager for Headwaters, along with leading the Department of Agriculture in the Falkland Islands.
A consistent theme through that time has been this:
the value of genetics is only as good as the confidence you have in the data behind it.
That’s where DNA parentage adds real value. It removes assumption and sharpens decision-making—giving farmers clearer insight into what’s actually driving performance in their flock.
For Andrew, it’s about using tools like Totogen to:
The goal is simple—turn genetic potential into repeatable, profitable performance within real farm systems.
Dr Donna Bond is Head of Development at Totogen and a Scientific Officer at the University of Otago.
Donna has deep genetics research expertise across both the animal and plant kingdoms – having published many scientific papers in journals of high impact and broad readership. A recent highlight was being lead author on the possum genome project, and identifying the molecular reasons why some possums are black, while others grey. If you are interested in Donna’s academic research follow this link.
Donna created and refined the laboratory technology upon which Totogen is founded. She is currently working to make new Totogen products that support livestock breeding in New Zealand and overseas, as well as improve turn-around-time and cost-efficiency. Donna’s passion is making new discoveries from scientific research and pushing boundaries from a technical perspective; and she takes pride in taking the results of this right through to commercialization.
Matt is Chairman of Totogen
Matt runs his business - Lookout Point Consulting & Coaching - from Clyde in Central Otago. He has governance roles across a range of sectors: agribusiness, professional services, construction & building services, and healthcare. Matt brings to Totogen some 30 years of experience in senior management roles in professional services, based in Germany and working across Europe, the US, and Asia. He came to New Zealand in 2013 - to Dunedin - with his wife, Ines, and six children.
Matt's role at Totogen, in addition to all that goes along with being Chair, is to bring general management skills and experience to help the business grow efficiently and sustainably. Matt is also active in the rural communities between Clyde and Ranfurly. His network of clients and contacts across the Alexandra Basin, Ida Valley, and the Maniototo are invaluable in testing the relevance and value proposition of Totogen.
