Genetics company seeks $3m

TDG is the holding company and 100% owner of both Thermo Regulatory Genetics Limited and Dairy Solutionz (NZ) Limited, founded in 2018 and 2009 respectively.

The Ohaupo-based company started breeding tropical dairy genetics in 2008, and has fourteen private investors - many of them New Zealand dairy farmers.

Now, TDG invites wholesale investors to come aboard, allowing access through a nominee investment vehicle with a minimum investment amount of $10,000.

The private fund raising offer is being hosted by Catalist - a new stock exchange designed for small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

The raise comes ahead of an intended public listing in early 2022 on the Catalist Public Market.

Focused on developing heat-tolerant cattle in tropical climates, TDG's genetics are sold into markets throughout Asia, the US and South America, said to improve animal welfare and help people in the world's hot-test areas boost food and protein security.

Chair Tim Heeley says this is a great opportunity for New Zealanders to invest in a world-first genetic solution, originating from the Waikato.

"TDG is a technology-driven, growth business. Being a pioneering genetics company with a global perspective, coupled with a presence anchored in New Zealand, makes us a unique investment opportunity," he says.

"We are predicting good interest from dairy farmers as well as the wider New Zealand ag community.

"The investment should also appeal to people looking to fund solutions to global food insecurity issues linked to climate change."

Colin Magee, Catalist's chief executive says he is delighted to welcome Tropical Dairy Group to the exchange.

"It's great to see TDG's taking the next step in their growth journey by listing on a Catalist Private Market and we're pleased we can help facilitate both capital raising and generating liquidity for their investors," he says.

"We hope this initial offer will help with their goal of a public listing on our licensed stock exchange early next year - it'd mean anyone in New Zealand, not just wholesale investors, could buy shares in this unique investment opportunity."

Slick Gene

TDG announced earlier this year it has bred the world's first team of Jersey bulls that all carry the dominant "Slick" gene - meaning daughters of these bulls are certain to exhibit heat tolerant traits.

Cows with the Slick gene cope better in tropical climates, mitigating heat stress and improving milk production for countries with some of the world's greatest deficits of protein.

To date, the Slick gene has been bred into Holsteins, Crossbreeds and Jerseys, leading to the TDG herd said to be the largest and most diverse slick-breeding herd in the world.

Following TDG's planned 2022 public offering, investors will have the opportunity to trade TDG's shares every six months in a secondary market on the Catalist exchange.