Farmers in the Ballymena area taking part in a Northern Ireland cattle genetics initiative can now drop off DNA samples at local collection points instead of posting them.

The Bovine Genetics Project has opened four free drop-off sites for the area: Fane Valley at Ballymena Livestock Mart, Fane Valley Seven Towers in Ballymena, Fane Valley Ballycastle, and Riada Veterinary Clinic in Ballymoney.

Participants should place the pink sample vials from their tagged cattle into the pre-addressed pink envelope provided and leave the envelope at one of the locations.

The samples will be collected by Veterinary Surgeon Supply Co Ltd and transported to the Sustainable Ruminant Genetics Genotyping Laboratory in Belfast.

Only DNA samples should be placed in the designated envelopes. Bovine viral diarrhoea samples must not be included.

More than 40 collection points have been set up across Northern Ireland. The scheme is part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' Sustainable Agriculture Programme and is delivered by industry-led not-for-profit Sustainable Ruminant Genetics.

The genotyping scheme opened on 1 September. Eligible farmers can access subsidised genomic testing of cattle to help with breeding decisions.

Victor Chestnutt, chair of Sustainable Ruminant Genetics, said the project is about giving farmers access to better information to support breeding decisions and long-term herd improvement. He said the network of collection points ensures farmers across Northern Ireland can engage with the project.

Farmer and project advocate Martin Millar said having a local drop-off point makes the process easy. Aoife O'Farrell of Garvagh Vets said veterinary practices work closely with livestock farmers every day and are pleased to support the project by acting as a sample collection point.

Paul Nugent from Fane Valley Stores said the store network will help make sample collection more accessible to farmers. William Sherrard, managing director of Veterinary Surgeon Supply Co Ltd, said the company is pleased to facilitate transport of the samples from drop-off points to the lab in Belfast.

Under the scheme, all breeding females and breeding males registered as bulls on the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System are eligible for subsidised genotyping during 2026. From 1 January 2027, eligibility will expand to every calf born and registered on the system during 2027.

The current cost to farmers is £11 plus VAT for each genotype, in addition to the price of the tag. DAERA provides a £13 subsidy for each eligible animal. Farmers are charged when a sample reaches the laboratory rather than when the genotyping tag is purchased.

Farmers must register their herd for the Bovine Genetics Project before joining the genotyping scheme, select an approved laboratory and nominate a tag supplier.

Further details and the full list of collection points are available online at srgni.com/sample-drop-off.