Research has established that most animal traits are genetically determined. For a farmer keeping beef cattle, the most important objective is to have both quantity and quality as far as their produce is concerned. The good news is that with the latest technologies, farmers can use beef cattle genetics to improve their yields.
The process of propagating animals requires close cooperation between the producer and the veterinarian. The latter are trained in genetic studies and are for this reason best placed to advise the farmer on the best decisions to make regarding their stock. At the same time, they collect DNA samples from the animals to be subjected to testing.
As a producer, having some knowledge on the various inheritance patterns of animals goes a long way towards helping in making useful decisions. Whereas some of the concepts are fairly easy to understand, others are rather complex. It is important to have a veterinarian by your side to help you understand the issues that are not easy to work out.
Apart from its use in promoting positive traits is a heard, DNA testing also helps in reducing the chances of genetic abnormalities. One of the commonest abnormalities is what is referred to as developmental duplication or polymelia. In this condition, animals develop extra limbs that emerge from the poll, shoulder or the back. Since the condition is heritable among some breeds, there is need to intervene to prevent its transmission. During droughts when there is need to depopulate a herd, only the animals with the high genetic quality are retained.
Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are terms that are commonly used when discussing animal propagation. The terms refer to a value that is assigned to a particular animal based on its various traits. This value is used as a predictor of the genetic quality of future calves. EPDs are used when replacing animals in a herd.
The use of EPDs is rather confusing to novice cattle handler. Formal training is frequently required before one can comfortably understand the values and their interpretation. EPDs can successfully predict attributes such as rate of weight gain, carcass difference and feed efficiency for offspring of genetically different animals.
The phenotypic characteristics of animals are almost always a reflection of their genetic make-up. Since the cost of DNA testing may be prohibitive for some farmers and particularly those with very large herds, the traditional use of these characteristics may still be helpful. Such characteristics include the weight, height, estimated size and number of calves bred among others.
Genetics has undoubtedly changed the practices of animal production. It is now easy to determine the quality of products through controlled reproduction. This is particularly useful to commercial producers whose main drive is quality. Many markers that can be used in testing have been identified. At the same time, smaller panels with the most specific and sensitive tests are now available to be used in animal selection.
The process of propagating animals requires close cooperation between the producer and the veterinarian. The latter are trained in genetic studies and are for this reason best placed to advise the farmer on the best decisions to make regarding their stock. At the same time, they collect DNA samples from the animals to be subjected to testing.
As a producer, having some knowledge on the various inheritance patterns of animals goes a long way towards helping in making useful decisions. Whereas some of the concepts are fairly easy to understand, others are rather complex. It is important to have a veterinarian by your side to help you understand the issues that are not easy to work out.
Apart from its use in promoting positive traits is a heard, DNA testing also helps in reducing the chances of genetic abnormalities. One of the commonest abnormalities is what is referred to as developmental duplication or polymelia. In this condition, animals develop extra limbs that emerge from the poll, shoulder or the back. Since the condition is heritable among some breeds, there is need to intervene to prevent its transmission. During droughts when there is need to depopulate a herd, only the animals with the high genetic quality are retained.
Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are terms that are commonly used when discussing animal propagation. The terms refer to a value that is assigned to a particular animal based on its various traits. This value is used as a predictor of the genetic quality of future calves. EPDs are used when replacing animals in a herd.
The use of EPDs is rather confusing to novice cattle handler. Formal training is frequently required before one can comfortably understand the values and their interpretation. EPDs can successfully predict attributes such as rate of weight gain, carcass difference and feed efficiency for offspring of genetically different animals.
The phenotypic characteristics of animals are almost always a reflection of their genetic make-up. Since the cost of DNA testing may be prohibitive for some farmers and particularly those with very large herds, the traditional use of these characteristics may still be helpful. Such characteristics include the weight, height, estimated size and number of calves bred among others.
Genetics has undoubtedly changed the practices of animal production. It is now easy to determine the quality of products through controlled reproduction. This is particularly useful to commercial producers whose main drive is quality. Many markers that can be used in testing have been identified. At the same time, smaller panels with the most specific and sensitive tests are now available to be used in animal selection.
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