Genetics Analysis
Down Under Genetics LLC May, 2010 Updates: Testing for genetic abnormalities will begin in August 2010 in the U.S. Australia has already been conducting these tests and Down Under Genetics' two herd sires, Maifuku and Marblemax, have both tested clean and free of the indicated markers. For more information please read: American Wagyu Associations' Genetic Disorder FAQ and Genetic Memo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Understanding Genetic Analysis The use of genetic markers in describing cattle is still in its infancy. Pfizer (formerly Bovigen) has been a leader in the efforts to translate available DNA information to the Cattle buyer and producer. This has not been an easy job as the amount of information has been changing almost on a daily basis. We started with Gene Star and Genetic Progeny Difference. The GPD’s were based on four genetic identifiers for feed efficiency, three for tenderness and four for quality grade or marbling. The limited number of markers were easily translated into stars to indicate to the casual observer the obvious differences between animals. The more stars you had the better the animals potential. Cattlemen could make a quick decision based on an obvious measure i.e. the number of stars. But the analysis of the cattle genome was just beginning. More and more markers were being identified and used to present a better and more correct picture of the animal’s makeup. The Stars system quickly became unwieldy as the markers increased. Today our analysis is based on 56 markers to define three traits, Feed Efficiency, Tenderness and Quality. The results are now as Molecular Value Predictions. The folks at Pfizer have come up with a scale for each of the traits, which can incorporate all the inputs and present a picture of that trait in a range that is scientifically based. Please review the explanation put out by Pfizer. They are a part of this web site and may be found by simply clicking on “Pfizer, Understanding MVP results”. This is a very thorough and complete explanation of the DNA numbering evaluation that is presented for animals involved in our embryo, semen or actual animal sales. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXPECTED BREEDING VALUES (EBV'S) BACKGROUND Breedplan was created over many years with funding of over $90 million by the Australian government, the Australian beef industry and four research groups. Over 83 breed societies worldwide utilize this evaluative system. In 2009, the first GROUP BREEDPlAN analysis for the Wagyu breed in Australia was published. The GROUP BREEDPLAN analysis included performance information from 27 different Wagyu herds, with over 42,000 animals represented. Herds that participated in the GROUPBREEDPLAN analysis have been sent reports containing the GROUPEBVs for their animals and comparing them to all the other Wagyu in the study. UNDERSTANDING EBV's An animal's breeding value is its genetic merit, half of which will be passed on to its progeny. While the exact breeding value can not be known, for performance traits it is possible to make good estimates. These estimates are called Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs). EBVs report the breeding value of a variety of performance traits - from birth weight to mature cow weight, eye muscle area to IMF%. The critical point here is that the value of any given performance trait is determined by comparing it to those of other animals in the herd: particular animals are valued as being either above or below the herd average (or 50%) - in the case of the GROUP BREEDPLAN, the animals are valued as being either above or below the Wagyu Breed average. EBV TRAITS AVAILABLE The following EBVs are shown in Breedplan graphs to the Wagyu herd: • Birth Weight is based on the measured birth weight of progeny, adjusted for dam age: the lower the value, the lighter the calf at birth. •200-day Growth is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 80 and 300 days of age, adjusted to 200 days and for dam age. •400-day Growth is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 301 and 500 days of age, adjusted to 400 days and for dam age. ·600-day Weight is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 501 and 900 days of age, adjusted to 600 days and for dam age. · Milk estimates milking ability: for sires, it indicates daughter's milking ability as inherited from the sire. • Rib Eye Area is calculated from live animal ultrasound scans at the 12th and 13th rib site, adjusted to 500 days of age: the higher the value, the larger the eye muscle area, and the better muscled and higher percentage yielding progeny will be produced . •Intramuscular Fat % estimates the genetic difference in percentage of scanned IMF at the 12/13th rib site in a 500 day animal: the larger the percentage, the better. NOTE: The IMF%EBV should not be confused with Marbling - without actual carcass data this EBV only serves to point in the direction of expected value. A direct correlation has not yet been proven. |
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