PrimeTime spring 2018

DNA Matters Tim Kozelsky | DNA & Data Service Analyst | tkozelsky@akaushi.com AKAUSHI BREED GENET ICS C ulling calves before they are born? What? That is pre-

mal ($2 per sample pull) you want to test. We also have the ability to determine the percentage of Akaushi genetics of an ani- mal without having to determine its par- entage. This $60 test was developed from almost 1,000 accumulated profiles of full- blood and percentage animals. It took more than two years to develop and test and was funded by research dollars raised during the fun auction at our annual convention. We are currently working on a plan to utilize DNA in breeding stock selection in ways other than just parentage verifi- cation. Neogen/Geneseek, our DNA lab, has developed a line of genomic tests that target specific areas in seedstock produc- tion to improve beef quality and maximize profitability through increased produc- tion efficiency. Their portfolio of products is called Geneseek ® Genomic Profiler™ or GGP, and includes the following:  GGP uLD (ultra low density test) – Evaluates approx- imately 30,000 genes and is designed to be useful in replacement heifer selection.  GGP 50K (50,000 genes) – Ideal for evaluating young bulls as potential herd sires. A short description of these and other Geneseek genomic products is available by clicking on the following link: GGP Prod- uct Portfolio Brochure. These products are not quite ready for the Akaushi breed. Remember that genet- ics is complex. Not every marker or inter- action between a set of markers has the same phenotypic outcome across all breeds. Each breed has its own unique data set for each of these products. Years of birth weights, weaning weights, feed consump- tion and carcass results have built up their empirically measured data set. This data was instrumental in associating phenotypic traits with the set of genes that influenced the trait. Hopefully, the increased number of fullblood breeders and A4 program breed- ers will help us gather the information we

cisely how far the cattle industry is progressing in terms of producing better seedstock for a rapidly changing indus- try. As mentioned in my inaugural DNA Matters

column, the move to single-nucleotide poly- morphism (SNP) DNA testing has unlocked the treasures of the bovine DNA sequence. No longer will ranchers have to wait two or more years to evaluate the results of a breeding program. Research is being done now to determine the DNA potential of an embryo before it is placed in a recipient fe- male. Embryonic genotyping, as it is called, is one of the many DNA innovations that are being utilized in the cattle industry. But, the Akaushi breed is not quite there yet. We are in the infancy phase of DNA. DNA is a complex science to say the least. Counter to conventional thought, most phenotypic traits are not determined by a single gene. Many traits such as coat color, horn/polled and genetic conditions, such as F11, are in fact, a single variation. Tests are available for those traits to determine if the animal is either homozygous-affected or a heterozygous-carrier. For those traits, the conventional thought is either the animal has the gene or doesn’t and testing for it is relatively easy. We currently offer F11, horned/polled, red/black coat color, BVD and SCD genetic testing for these simple traits. The fee schedule is as follows: F11 Genetic Testing: $37 Horn/Polled: $28 Coat Color: $24 Horn/Polled + Coat Color + Parentage: $50 BVD: $10 SCD – Tenderness: $47 You can submit a new sample of any type or request the archived sample of the ani-

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