Genomics Receives Boost

GENOMICS RECEIVES BOOST

GENETICS NEEDED FOR PASTURE-BASED SYSTEMS MAY DIFFER MARKEDLY FROM THOSE REQUIRED IN INTENSTIVE FEEDING SYSTEMS.

It has long been recognised that where one bull may work in one system or country, it may not necessarily work in another.

New Zealand’s pasture dominant dairying offers a valuable platform for the development of grassland genetics around the world. CRV AmBreed realises this and is currently working closely with scientists at CRV, Arnhem as they continue to develop genomic techniques and work towards improved reliability in identifying bulls of high genetic merit at a young age.

“Having a large enough reference population for grassland genetics has been a problem for us here,” says Phil Beatson, Genetic Development Strategist at CRV AmBreed.
However major improvements in the reliability of ‘grassland genetics’ is looming. A recent agreement between countries in the EuroGenomics partnership resulting in sharing of genomic data from a total of 16,000 reference bulls has spelt good news for CRV AmBreed on the other side of the world. EuroGenomics now holds one of the largest reference populations in the world, mirroring the full variation in international Holstein genetics. With CRV Holland a partner it’s anticipated this genomic information will become available to CRV AmBreed assisting significantly in boosting our reference population for grassland genetics.
CRV AmBreed’s reference population of New Zealand sires sits around 1200 bulls. Contributions from overseas sires will require more bulls to give the same genomic reliability as New Zealand bulls.

“In effect our reference population will be increased by a further 3-5,000 bulls and improve reliability by a further 8-10%,” explains Mr Beatson. “Initially this will benefit our Holstein-Friesian program, but as across-breed evaluation methods are implemented our Jersey and crossbred programs will similarly benefit.”
To begin with grasslands genomics will be utilised outside of New Zealand in Ireland, as part of the Grassland Alliance established earlier this year between CRV and NCBC Ireland. Young bulls from both these countries will be genomically evaluated against the enlarged reference population. “In time animals from grassland populations in other countries will also be added,” points out Mr Beatson.

Both EuroGenomics and the Grassland Alliance are good examples of effective international cooperation between countries setting new global standards for the benefit of all dairy farmers irrespective of their feeding systems.