Sygen, the animal breeding biotechnology and genetics play and a Growth Company Investor recommendation at 38.5p, delivered progress in the half to December despite the slow pig-market recovery. Profit before tax and exceptionals lifted 16% to £3.6m, on turnover of £63.4m (£63m). PIC, the core division providing genetically superior pig stock to pork producers, reported profits in all regions in the half year. Volumes at PIC were 5% higher, and this, along with rising sales from the biotech side (gross profits from biotechnology were 17% higher at £2.1m), helped Sygen push up its profits. Encouragingly, PIC should put in a stronger second half, with gradual stronger market conditions expected in the pig industry. Shrimp genetics business SyAqua, the first foray into a species other than pigs, lost £0.5m on an operational basis, although this was mostly due to the seasonality of the business. But it now operates in three markets, having acquired Brazil's largest shrimp breeder Aquatec in October for £7.4m in cash. This added to its businesses in Mexico and in Thailand, the world's biggest shrimp producing country. SyAqua should contribute to profits in the second half, as it did last year. Half-time net cash dropped to £15.2m (£20.2m), reflecting the Brazilian deal. There's still upside on the shares. Worth holding.