We have the cattle technology
The Life Sciences journal Lab Times recently ranked Ireland No 1 in the world for the quality of its molecular genetics and genomics research.
Teagasc are world leaders in dairy cattle breeding genomics research, and at transferring that research into practice, and our dairy and beef farmers must strive to make the most of the achievements of our scientists.
The good news for farmers is that Ireland can now claim a world-class system for finding cattle with the greatest genetic potential to increase profits, from farm to food industry.
Together, farmers, AI companies, cattle recording organisations, the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, and the Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) have made very high quality information for cattle breeding available. In just two years, genomics has been added to the mix, and it is now a key tool for dairy breeders, and on the way for beef cattle breeders.
The benefit of genomics is that a DNA test costing less than €60 on a new born calf, gives as much genetic information as 15 to 20 sons or daughters of that animal would give two years later. Breeders now know much earlier if they have a future champion, and they can send low genetic merit bulls earlier to the beef factory — major advantages in themselves for dealing with our six million strong national herd of cattle.
ICBF experts recently showed an example of two full-brother bulls, one of which is worth €82 more in farm income than the other for every calf it breeds. Genomics reveals that huge economic advantage when the two bulls are only three months old — a major breakthrough.
Genomics tells at the calf stage which cattle will increase farm income through more milk, meat, or calves, or lower costs for feeding, replacement, ill-health costs, or labour.
In 2009 genomic selection was launched in Ireland, following research carried out by Teagasc, led by Dr Donagh Berry at Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, in collaboration with ICBF.
Last spring, about 40% of the AI inseminations of dairy cattle in Ireland were with bulls selected by genomic test.
Teagasc continued to press ahead, and last month, announced how, in collaboration with the agri-food industry, they have reduced the cost of genomic testing by about one third.
Through a new service launched by ICBF, dairy farmers can now obtain genomic proofs of their animals at much reduced cost, enabling them to make better informed cattle breeding decisions. This technology can also be easily applied when genomic selection in Irish beef cattle becomes available. Teagasc director of research Dr Frank O’Mara, has greeted this as a great example of the pay-off from research funded from a range of sources including the dairy levy, Department of Agriculture research stimulus fund, the EU 7th Framework Programme, Teagasc, ICBF and the AI industry.
The farmer can take advantage of these breakthroughs while sitting at the computer at home.
And for as little as €50, a sample of the calf’s tail hair can be posted off, and the animal’s genetic results will be on the computer or in the post within four weeks. It’s no exaggeration when experts now say genomics is fundamentally altering the way we breed cattle, the revolution is well underway for dairy, and will start in 2011 for beef.
