Our Story

We’ve always believed that better decisions start with better data. Since our inception, at Black Box Co, we’ve worked to connect beef producers with the insights they need to optimise herd performance, profitability, and genetic progress. But as we delved deeper into individual animal data, we saw a critical gap - while producers could analyze animal performance, predicting genetic potential remained out of reach.

That’s where Base Pair Genomics began. 

The team has an esteemed history of making genomic insights accessible with the original story starting back in 2016. In 2016, the University of Queensland launched the Northern Genomics Project, led by Professor Ben Hayes, with support from Dr. Geoffrey Fordyce and Dr. Shannon Speight. The goal was ambitious: to develop Genomic Breeding Values (GBVs) tailored for the northern beef industry—an industry shaped by diverse breeds, vast landscapes, and environmental challenges.

Collecting meaningful data at scale in Northern Australia is no small feat. Over several years, Geoffrey and Shannon traveled extensively, gathering critical data, including puberty scans, foetal age, and phenotypic records, which now form the foundation of the RePRO BI reference herd database. This data became the backbone of genomic insights designed to help producers make more informed selection decisions.

By 2021, the project gained further momentum when Elsie Vincent took on project coordination as Shannon transitioned to develop Black Box Co. Three years later, things came full circle. In 2024, Black Box Co was selected to commercialise the Northern Genomics Project’s final product—GBVs—bringing this groundbreaking technology to market.

Rebranded as RePRO BI, this test is the first of its kind: a multi-breed genomic test designed specifically for crossbred, multibreed, and northern-adapted cattle, covering eight key traits that matter most to northern producers. Today, RePRO BI sits under the Base Pair Genomics banner, marking a significant step forward in integrating genetics with real-world production data.

For us, genomics is not just an add-on—it’s a natural extension of the data-driven approach we’ve championed from day one. Through Black Box Co and Base Pair Genomics, we are making genomic insights more accessible, reliable, and practical for beef businesses. By combining performance data with cutting-edge genetic insights, we’re giving producers the most powerful tools yet to select, breed, and manage cattle with confidence.

This is just the beginning. The future of beef production is one where genetics and data work hand in hand, unlocking new possibilities for more efficient, profitable, and sustainable beef enterprises. And we’re excited to be leading the charge.