“Wouldn’t it be nice to know that an animal, despite everything you do to it, is always going to end up in a patty?”
Dr. Graham Plastow, director of the Alberta Livestock Genomics Program at the University of Alberta, posed this question during an interview following a talk he delivered at the Agricultural Biotech International Conference held in Saskatoon Sept. 12-15.
He explained how genomics will play a valuable role in meeting meat demand, which is expected to double by 2050.
Genomics could give producers the ability to assess an animal’s value at birth based on genetic markers. As the technology develops, Plastow expects producers will be able to use genetic information obtained when an animal is born to create an efficient management program.
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Selection by professional breeding programs over the last several decades has already delivered massive increases in carcass size, leanness and efficiency.
Plastow believes genomics will augment traditional breeding practices, making them more cost effective and productive.
He explained how genomics could determine a sow’s potential to produce prolific daughters at birth. Armed with this information, a producer could tailor a breeding program to deliver the best results.
As well, he suggested the world already has the potential to double meat production by 2050, but a major obstacle remains in making the technology affordable for developing nations, where genomics could select for disease and drought-resistant cattle.
The other significant challenge in doubling meat production in 40 years is the increased scarcity of vital inputs such as fuel, arable land and water.
Plastow pointed out that while genomics will play a huge role in increasing food supply as the earth’s population grows, it is not a magic bullet. He feels genomics will be one piece of an overall strategy calling on advances in animal feed, vaccines and probiotics to feed an anticipated three billion more people.
