Delivering genomics into the paddock
Sheep researchers and breeders are fine-tuning the practicalities of using new genomics technologies on-farm.
Phase two of the Genomics Pilot Project (GPP) in 2011-12 is focused on fast delivery of genomic-based research breeding values (RBVs) to breeders after receiving DNA material from young rams.
Researchers and industry groups are working cooperatively to demonstrate to breeders how to best use this genomic data to improve the rate of genetic gain in their flocks.
They will also test protocols and reporting systems that will underpin a future commercial and cost effective genomics service for the Australian sheep industry.
The GPP is a collaboration between MLA, the Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Australian Wool Innovation and has four major projects in phase two.
1. Evaluation of a sheep parentage diagnostic tool
MLA is supporting the development of a new DNA-based product that provides sheep parentage information and can diagnose some traits. It uses internationally-validated SNP DNA markers that allow trace-back and verification.
2. Pilot genotyping
Young rams from the Merino, Poll Dorset, White Suffolk and Border Leicester breeds will be DNA tested using the SNP genotyping chip blood cards.
The tests will be used to develop RBVs, which will be provided to breeders within 12 weeks of blood sampling validated with commercial progeny testing and performance data to ensure highly accurate results. At the end of this trial there will be more than 2000 sires with genomically enhanced breeding values.
3. Case studies of production benefits
CSIRO Livestock Industries Genomics Research Scientist, Sonja Dominik, has studied the costs and benefits of using DNA testing and RBVs for terminal, maternal and Merino breeders. She compared the scale and ram breeding structures of 20 enterprises and found the break-even point for using genomic testing ranged from $30 for a terminal sire to more than $100 for a Merino ram.
"Most of the benefits come from increased selection accuracy, which is about 10-20% for meat sheep and maternal breeds and up to 60% for Merinos," she said.
4. Supply chain use of genomics breeding values
Researchers aiming to identify and compare rams from the pilot genotyping project that have good lean meat yield, shear force and other meat eating quality traits. They will study the value of using this information down the supply chain.
More information
Felice Driver, MLA
Phone: 02 9463 9233
Email: fdriver@mla.com.au
Sonja Dominik, CSIRO
Phone: 02 6776 1376
Email: Sonja.dominik@csiro.au
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