Scientists at the University of Alberta have successfully mapped the genomes of two bulls, a first for Canada.
The feat marks a rapid increase in efficiency with the technology.
Last year, researchers completed a four year effort to map the genes of a cow at a cost of $53 million.
In this latest project, however, geneticists from the U of A took only seven months and $130,000 to map the genome of an Angus beef bull and a Holstein dairy bull.
Stephen Moore, head of the Bovine Genomics Program, estimates that the cost of genome mapping will drop to $3,000 by the end of the year, which is in reach for many beef and dairy producers.
Read Also
Forecast leans toward cooling trend
July saw below average temperatures, August came in with near to slightly above average temperatures and September built on this warming trend with well above average temperatures for the month.
“If you have a bull worth $1 million, $3,000 is a drop in the bucket if it’s going to enhance the value of the animal,” Moore said.
“On the very elite animals, this will happen.”
The technology identifies genetic markers that are responsible for an animal’s colour, efficiency, fatness, tenderness, milk production and temperament.
“We know everything about these animals and can relate that to their characteristics,” Moore said.
By knowing what genes are responsible for tenderness or milk production, producers can target and select the best qualities of each animal.
“What’s relevant about these animals is they’re industry-relevant animals,” he said.
“This is the first example in Canada and one of the first in the world where it’s done with production-relevant animals and we will do more of these.”
The dairy bull was sequenced in collaboration with Semex Alliance, which owns and semen tests 450 dairy bulls a year and marketed more than 7.5 million doses of semen in 2007.
“This sequencing is significant to the dairy cattle industry because the bull’s genes are likely to make an important contribution to the genetic makeup of future generations,” said Jacques Chesnais, chief geneticist at Semex Alliance.
Moore said the technology would also be a significant boost to the beef industry.
Producers will know what feed regime to put animals on to maximize their efficiency when they enter the feedlot. They will also know which animals are likely to remain healthy and which ones may need to be treated.
“It may possibly reduce drug use.”
Moore said the geneticists are now looking at sequencing the genetics of semen from a 50-year-old bull.
The information will tell researchers how much production has improved and show them the differences between cattle now and 50 years ago.
