Pre-Close Trading Update

Genus PLC
10 October 2005


For Immediate Release                                            10 October 2005

                                   GENUS plc
                           ('Genus' or 'the Company')
              Pre-Close Season Trading Update & Technology Report

The Board of Genus is pleased to announce that trading in the six months ended
30 September 2005 has been in line with management's expectations. In
particular, the Bovine Genetics business has returned to more normal levels
following a difficult second half in the year ended 31 March 2005. Trading
across the other smaller businesses were ahead of plan.

The encouraging results from the leading bulls in the Genus stud, outlined
earlier this year, are expected to be augmented when the next batch of proof
results are officially announced in November. In particular, Genus expects that
one of its new bulls will be highly ranked.

During the period, Genus's team of leading semen physiologists achieved an
important breakthrough which should have implications for many species.

We have created a technique to improve dramatically sperm membrane quality.
This is significant as it makes delicate sperm from animals with low fertility
capable of producing more active sperm, and should reduce post-thaw damage in
species where semen is currently difficult to freeze due to the intrinsic high
level of freeze damage.

Genus will announce interim results for the six months ended 30 September
towards the end of November 2005.

Contact:
Richard Wood, Chief Executive, Genus plc 01256 347101
David Timmins, Group Finance Director, Genus plc 01256 347102
Charles Ryland/Suzanne Brocks, Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000


About Genus:

Genus is the world's leading Bovine Genetics company. At the core of its
business lies an approximately £8m per year research and development programme.
Laboratory bioscience is used to target and augment traditional mating and
selection programmes testing 400 new bulls each year. The rolling five year
programme aims continuously to improve the genetic make-up of the successive
generations of the bulls created. Semen from the bulls selected from this
programme for stud is sold for use on customers' herds, to improve the output
and stature of their offspring.

Genus distributes beef and dairy semen, both for tropical and temperate
agricultures, from its six studs located in four continents to farmers in
seventy countries. It operates an unrivalled network of overseas selling
offices and exclusive agents. In some countries it also offers insemination
services and the sale of supporting products.

In the UK, Genus Animalcare markets licensed veterinary pharmaceuticals and
Genusxpress wholesales a range of other companies' veterinary pharmaceuticals
and products. Genus also operates an overseas consultancy practice which
manages projects funded by aid agencies for less developed countries.

Genus offers unrivalled expertise in its sector of modern agricultural
technology.





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