Genomic testing, is it worthwhile?
To say the past decade has been revolutionary in the world of cattle genetics is no understatement. Genomic testing, along with subsequent data collection, has been the spearhead of this rapid acceleration, moving the modern cow’s improvement by leaps and bounds.
The dairy industry has especially fallen in love with this technology. And while beef is certainly heading that direction, it has not yet reached the same widespread genomic heights of its dairy counterpart.
There is much to evaluate in terms of where genomics stand in today’s beef and where things are going. For many breeders, an investment in genomics is an investment in the future.
What that future might be depends on how producers and professionals use and interpret that information. With so much potential going on, it’s worth individual producers to ask – is genomic testing worthwhile?
Decoding information and making it all work
Researchers have used genomics and all its accompanying technology for a while. Right now, the beef industry is a good position to take the next steps and decide how and where to use that information on the industrial and production levels.
Typical genomic testing for cattle uses Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) technology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-nucleotide_polymorphism . SNP technology uses DNA markers to translate the unique genetic makeup of the individual animal. It can also be used to identify genetic abnormalities and mutations.
Research has told us a lot about how to translate genomic results. Producers can have an idea of how certain animals will perform in specific management situations.
For example, according the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), https://www.beefresearch.ca/ leptin gene codes for a hormone that controls appetite and fat deposits.
In cattle, the base pair code of CC, TC or TT, and TT calves can deposit backfat faster and be on feed fewer days than TC and CC calves.
This kind of testing can help feedlot operators and cow-calf producers sort calves into more uniform feeding groups for optimal performance.
In a similar way, a lot of dairies have invested in genomic testing to assist with making their culling and replacement decisions.
There have been massive changes in even traits of low heritability. Fertility, productive life and health are among these. Researchers are pouring a lot of time and research into feed efficiency.
Genomic enhancement can improve the reliability of traditional EPDs.
Individual producers can contribute a lot of merit to the national herd and industry standards. Data collection provides the information we have from genomics and their reliability.
Collecting more data allows us to learn more and increases our reliability.
Genomics are very reliable
Genomics offers benefits but a genomic number on a test or a pedigree shouldn’t dominate decision-making.
As we develop and learn more about this technology we continue to discuss the best way to apply it.
The BCRC states that genomics works very reliably in cases where the SNP is known to occur within an actual gene.
The BCRC mentions that in many cases the SNP may only be located somewhere near the gene. The accuracy of GE-EPDs or MBVs depends on the closeness of the tested animals’ relation to the population in which the prediction equations were developed. SNPs discovered in one bloodline may not allow GE-EPD/MBV prediction equations to work reliably in another. SNPs discovered in one breed are unlikely to help GE-EPD/MPV prediction equations produce reliable results in a different breed.
”There are different genomics tests available at different costs, the larger the chip used for the test, the more markers can be identified to obtain more information.
Tests can range from less than $20 to nearly $40and as simple as submitting a hair or blood sample. Many breed associations work with labs and make the sampling and testing process easy,
sometimes at a discount when obtained through other services.
Beyond the bottom line
Genomics solves certain genetic issues found in livestock and provides productivity advantages.
One USDA statistic suggests that one in every five animals will carry a genetic defect capable of causing embryonic loss.
Genomics allows us to identify animals going into stud service very quickly.
These predictions are so accurate that farmers need not even cull animals carrying undesirable traits. They can manage their mating to pass down positive traits and mitigate negative ones.
Genomics can help reduce the amount of inbreeding.
Health traits and diseases resistance are another area genomics are rapidly working to accelerate. A lot of health and wellness traits tend to have very low heritability.
It can take many years of pristine breeding for them to gain little impact in the traditional way. For a long time, they weren’t even major players in sire se-lection.
In less than a decade, they’ve seen massive improvements.
Other welfare-related traits are also on the genomics docket. This includes things like heat tolerance and hoof durability.
Some researchers currently study complex genetically-influenced behaviors such as grazing ability and efficiency.
Genomic knowledge has already made an incredible impact. The era is still in its infancy. Researchers will learn and discover much more.
Beef will only invest more into genomics through both research and field testing.
There’s enough of a future in the technology making it worth a serious look and consideration. Even if not applicable to one’s specific operation and market, directly or indirectly.
You can expect genomics to have an impact in the future.
American Cattlemen, January 2020
