Genomic testing improves accuracy of hard to measure traits

The introduction of genomic testing has helped Hereford stud breeders to more accurately choose the right genetics to make progress.

Herefords Australia R,D & E Specialist Hamish Chandler said for commercial Hereford bull buyers, it provides the most comprehensive set of information to assist in their choice.

Mr Chandler said co-operator herds like the Hayes family’s and Andrew Bell’s help to build the breed’s reference population, so that producers can gain a more accurate prediction of hard to measure data like carcase traits.

“Herefords were one of the first pure breeds in the world to move towards BREEDPLAN evaluation and we already have 30,000 animals with phenotypes and genotypes for traits like birth weight and growth,” Mr Chandler said.

“As new animals are bred and tested, we can compare them with this reference population to find animals with common genes that indicate what we can expect. And the more animals we sample, the more accurate the prediction is likely to be.”

Mr Chandler said the introduction of a single step in BREEDPLAN that combined phenotypes, pedigree and genomic information had benefited the breed by providing the most accurate set of breeding values.

“The BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation has always used information on an animal’s relatives to tell us more about the genes that animal carries. The relatives’ performance information is effectively weighted by how many genes we think they carry, or in other words, the relationship between those animals.

“Before now we have had to assume that each one of an animal’s half-siblings (calves by the same bull) shared the same number of genes and therefore we have used the same weighting for the contribution of their performance.

“Now that we are able to use genomics, we have a much better understanding of how many genes each of these animals really share and therefore exact weighting can be used.

“It also means we can use the information from a much wider range of animals where we can identify genes in common, even if there isn’t a direct pedigree relationship, to get a more accurate prediction of their true genetic merit for the trait,” he said.

“A lot of productivity traits are controlled by hundreds of different genes, so we use the genomic testing to get more information about the genes an animal is likely to carry, and what that means in breeding terms.”

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• Marketing activity is targeted, with claims backed by evidence

• Investments in R&D deliver outcomes, support breed productivity and profitability

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• The company is sustainable, meeting the needs of members today and anticipating the needs of the future revenue from sale catalogues by 10% magazine ad revenue by 10% new magazine advertisers in

FUTURE

Business Models

new revenue sources to ensure company’s longevity and prosperity.

• Herefords Australia is recognised as a key contributor, helping to shape policy and programs in support of a sustainable, prosperous, and responsible industry

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The six strategic pillars will support Herefords Australia in delivering on its vision and the Strategic Plan goals. Each pillar has major initiatives and measures of success, which will be reported on annually to members and stakeholders.

LONG-TERM GOALS

• Marketing activity is targeted, with claims backed by evidence

• Investments in R&D deliver outcomes, support breed productivity and profitability

• The breed is recognised for its commercial relevance, demonstrated by growth in registrations

• The company is sustainable, meeting the needs of members today and anticipating the needs of the future

• Herefords Australia is recognised as a key contributor, helping to shape policy and programs in support of a sustainable, prosperous, and responsible industry revenue from sale