Why We Use The Igenity Beef Profile to Assist Us With The Genetic Analysis of the Dulverton Angus Herd.
Over the past two and a half decades we have made our position quite clear with respect the traits that matter, at least to The Dulverton Breeding direction, hopefully these become recognised by Industry. Consider our mission statement.
“There is no other reason to produce Beef, than to satisfy the Eating Quality expectations of the Beef Consumer, Consistently and Price Competitively”
There are three traits of major importance that definitely impact upon “Eating Quality/Price Competitively”
- Eating Quality- Marbling and Tenderness the contributing companion traits.
- Feed Efficiency
- Stayability/Longevity
Unfortunately too little effort with respect improving the selection accuracy of these traits, is being conducted globally. The organisation with the suite of traits to most closely fulfil our requirement is International Genetic Solutions. We have elected to work with IGS/Igenity such that we might make the necessary improvement in the traits listed above while not neglecting the other majorly important productivity related traits.
Since the merging of the International Genetic Solutions(IGS) and Igenity databases, the power and accuracy of this united database is undeniable. The database has over 20 million animals and over 400 thousand genotypes represented. Such a database has an obvious advantage as a result of its shear weight of numbers to be able to promote genetic progress with respect improved trait performance from those animals at the “Better Best” end of the population.
IGS’s input into the combined IGS/Igenity database has been largely managed by one of the Founding Fathers of IGS, Dr. Wade Shafer. Wade’s input into this article is greatly appreciated.
I posed the following questions to Wade
”How much more power does combining the three, a) Pedigree b) Phenotypic observations for the Traits & c) Genomics, add to the IGS/Igenity database?”
Wades response
“Including Genomics is particularly powerful for any prediction on young animals. Depending on the trait, incorporating DNA can add to the equivalent information of up to 30 progeny. That said to achieve high levels of accuracy , we still need lots of phenotypes…and phenotypes on the actual trait we are quantifying (e.g. carcass marbling vs live ultrasound IMF%)”.
EATING QUALITY
- Marbling: a hugely important trait with respect satisfying the Consumers response to Overall Liking. The two component parts that Marbling influences being, Juiciness & Flavour
How much of the Marbling Data is Carcass generated?
Wades response:
“We use all information available, meaning we include ultrasound and carcass data. Carcass data because it measures the ACTUAL TRAIT of interest, that is, the trait used to generate VALUE, it is more valuable in the prediction of carcass EPD’s/EBV’s. The only way for an animal to achieve high levels of accuracy(animals with only Ultrasound will top out around .35 accuracy), is to have the carcass recorded marble score included in the data set to calculate the EPD/EBV.
We have 184 thousand carcass records, with 75 thousand being collected over the last 5 years. Further, we have put programs in place to incentivise the collection of DNA on harvested animals”.
Dulverton Comment
The Igenity Beef Profile provides us with a Genomically enhanced Marble score measure that combines not only the IMF% scans but also the large set of Carcass data mentioned and so can assist us make faster genetic progress toward improving that all important Eating Quality Trait.
MARBLING.
The three “R” Moe sons we used in the Stud scored very well for the Igenity Marbling they are the first three listed
Lot 2 R148 10; Lot 1 R180 9; Lot 3 R182 9;Lot 7 R118 9; LOT9 R126 9; Lot 10 R253; Lot 31 R 004; LOT 039 R 038; Lot 64 R014; LOT 76 R056; Lot 78 R 286.
It is our Goal to improve the Marble Score trait to the Range 7 through 10 while maintaining an improved focus on the other traits of economic importance. The Dulverton average for the 120 “R” Bulls considered for this Sale is 7.2, a very satisfactory result, the dedication to selecting for Carcass measured Marbling has paid some dividend.
TENDERNESS
Unfortunately Tenderness, the companion trait with Marbling in assisting help with Eating Quality selection, has very much been the neglected partner. This is really sad as Tenderness, described as “The resistance to the bite” explains forty (40) percent of the variation in the consumers response to their Overall Liking for Beef. The Industry cannot afford to neglect Tenderness as Australia has invested heavily over the past thirty five years positioning herself in the middle and upper quality ends of the export beef markets. Such a move has depended on Industry getting Eating Quality right and maintaining it. Hard to guarantee maintenance of Eating Quality without recognising the genetic contribution of Tenderness. It is worth noting that at the turn of the millennium a fledgling Australian company Genetic Solutions developed basic genomics to provide genetic selection possibilities for the companion Eating Quality Traits Marbling and Tenderness. Dulverton was amongst the initial breeders to utilise these two seriously important genetic selection tools, see the the Dulverton Sale Catalogues for the early to mid 2,000’s. Unfortunately too little support has been forthcoming and so the Genetic measurement of Tenderness has been sadly neglected since the mid 2,000’s.
Wade reports a similar situation in the USA adding that when funds are limiting his efforts must be directed to the traits that “line the pockets of his producers”.
Given the lack of recent input into the measurement of Tenderness we include the score as a companion for Marbling but concede we cannot apply any selection pressure at this stage-watch and see!!
Consider the following “R” Sale Bull data-:
- Lot 1 R180, 9 for Marbling 8 for Tenderness
- Lot 2 R148, 10 for Marbling 8 for Tenderness
- Lot 39 R038, 9 for Marbling 9 for Tenderness
- Lot 31 R004, 9 for Marbling 10 for Tenderness
- Lot 51 R085, 8 for Marbling 10 for Tenderness
- FEED EFFICIENCY
A background comment.
Feed Efficiency is a major Economic Driver, particularly with respect the Cowherd. Unfortunately, there is still lots to learn re the Biology of Feed Efficiency, its genetic measurement and how it impacts on overall Beef Herd Profitability. Feed Efficiency is a trait of significant importance to the Cowherd and the finishing phase at Feedlots. Feed Efficiency is all about the efficiency with which the Bovine converts feed sources to productive gain Profitability. That is, in the cow herd, how she converts available “Feed sources” to-:
a) Her own Body Maintenance
b) Her own Reproductive cycle initiation and Foetus rearing
c) Live calf delivery
d) Her her ability to milk sufficiently to rear her calf to Weaning
In the Feedlot/Pasture finishing phase it is how this Category of Bovine converts their respective Diets/Rations to the all important Eating Quality traits and Saleable Beef Yield, the considerations being-:
a) Finishing Animals Body Maintenance
b) Finishing animals Carcass Composition e.g.Bone, Muscle and Fat
We asked Wade to postulate his poisiton on Feed Efficiency and its’s Genetic Measurement
Wades response:
“The difficult variable to get a handle on to come up with the multitude of potential efficiency measures (e.g.RFI, RADG, NFI-F) is, of course INTAKE. At this point and unless there is some major breakthrough I don’t for-see cowherd intake will be predicted by gauging mature weight. Sure, there maybe other traits we can use to refine the prediction(e.g. feedlot intake, body composition , frame size etc) however, mature size will dominate the prediction of cowherd intake unless, until we come up with a practical way to easily get actual intake on cows.
As for feedlot intake, we have been predicting it with early growth curve (BW, WW. YW) and body composition (EMA, Rib Fat) until now and the prediction is quite accurate and effective. That said, we are working on adding what are now tens of thousands of actual intake records to the mix to refine our prediction of Intake.
Ultimately and without doubt, the appropriate measure of efficiency is economic that is, PROFIT.
Profit=$Value of gain x gain – $cost of feed x intake.
All other measures of efficiency fall short with the respect of Gain (Hence the Value of the ADG measure) and Intake (RFI) on PROFIT. So unless maximising Profit isn’t your goal, all we need is Gain and Intake. The endless machinations of biological efficiency that can be conceived have us chasing our tails”.
Dulverton comment
Given the obvious importance of Gain and Intake in assisting us come up with at least a directional pointer re gaining an understanding of Feed efficiency we are suggesting you look at both the ADG & RFI Scores. Suggest the ADG range be 6-8 and RFI be 4-6.
- Lot 27 R025 scores 7 ADG & 5 RFI
- Lot 19 R153 scores 7 ADG & 6 RFI
- Lot 14 R277 scores 7 ADG & 5 RFI
- Lot 51 R009 scores 7 ADG & 5 RFI
- Lot 54 R141 scores 8 ADG & 5 RFI
- Lot 60 R314 scores 7 ADG 7 5 RFI
Note at this stage the measure is simply combining Gain & Intake and cannot be absolute without the inclusion of Profit.
STAYABILITY
A Maternal Trait of Major Economic Significance
We guess we have left the most complex Trait to measure and yet the one with the most to contribute in terms of economic gain to the commercial producer, until last. We pose the question to Wade, How do you define Stayability?
Wades Response
STAY is defined as the probability daughters entering the herd will Stay in production through (6) years of age. An animal receives a record for STAY when her own contemporary group reaches six (6) years. To be contemporaries, cows must have calved in the same herd and season as two year olds”.
Wade how do you determine Stayability Success?
Wades Repsonse
“A cow is scored a success if she has a calving record at six (6) and a failure if she doesn’t. The reason the cow fails isn’t reported at this stage.
Stay is a compound trait, a trait composed of many factors causing a cow to be culled prior to six (6) years of age. From the Seedstock producers perspective, traits such as fertility, structural soundness, productivity, temperament etc. are all candidates influencing STAY. To the degree these traits influence commercial producers culling decisions, STAY provides the producer with an indicator of how long a sire’s daughters will Stay in the herd”
Wades take home message to the commercial producer re STAY
“Whether STAY is reported on a male or a female…… it defines differences in the proportion of their daughters remaining in the herd at six (6) years of age”.
Wade,
Where to from here with this very important profit determining trait, how can we zero in on what an animal’s STAY Score is due to?
Wade’s response
“At this point in time we can’t. We need large amounts of data with concise culling codes to do so. By requiring that the reason for disposal be submitted for every animal removed from the inventory, we will amass a large informative database— a database that will allow us to break a sire’s Stay score into it’s component parts— a database that will allow us to make more informed decisions in the area of longevity”.
Dulverton Comment
Stayability/Longevity has long been a trait we believe to be of the utmost importance re the Profitable operation of both the Seedstock and Commercial Beef herds. It seems logical to assume that even though Stay is measured by reporting on the female that has been able to remain productive in the herd at age six (6), that young sires will also “inherit” the favourable sets of genes responsible for promoting the Trait. That is, the Fertility, Structural Soundness, Productivity, Temperament, Coping ability etc. complement of genes. We remain dedicated to Pursuing this trait so we might deliver to you, our valued clients, young sires capable of lasting four (4) Breeding Seasons.
We are extremely pleased with the way both Dunoon Hank N668 and Dulverton Medaglia M028 progeny have performed for STAY. N668 has three sons who register 7 for Stay which is very satisfying given our range for the trait is 2 to 7. Angus is one of the lesser performing breeds for Stay of the breeds analyzed in the IGS/Igenity database.
The three N668 sons are-:
- Lot 206 – R005
- Lot 27 – R025
- Lot 35 – R172
N668 also has two sons who score 6 for Stay-:
- Lot 32 – R006
- Lot 34 – R026
M028 has four sons who score 6 for Stay-:
- Lot 43 – R011
- Lot 47 – R029
- Lot 39 – R038
- Lot 44 – R209
Summary
It certainly has been a no brainer for us to have invested into The IGS/Igenity programme. The programme provides us with the opportunity of using a combined database comprising over 20 million animals and over 400 thousand genotypes, the power is undeniable. The power is not only generated from the sheer numbers represented in the database but also from the combination of-:
- Pedigree data
- Phenotypic Observations
- Genomics.
This programme also affords us the opportunity of being able to more thoroughly investigate and analyse the three traits of immense importance to us fulfilling our Mission-:
“Consumer Eating Quality satisfaction Consistently/Price Competitively”
These traits being-:
- Marbling & Tenderness supported by 184 thousand carcass records
- Feed Efficiency which equals Profit, note there is still a long way to go particularly with respect getting actual intake on cows. In the meantime the most appropriate analysis involves the Genetic evaluation of Gain (ADG) and Intake (RFI). Don’t forget Wade’s one liner-: “So unless Profit isn’t your goal, all we need is Gain & Intake”
- Stayability a maternal trait, defined as the probability daughters entering the herd will STAY in production through six (6) years. The female is likely to fail due to sub performance re the following traits-: Fertility, Structural Soundness, Productivity Temperament & Coping ability stay provides the producer with an indicator of how long a sire’s daughters will STAY in the herd.
It seems logical to assume that even though the trait is measured amongst the females, that young sires, selected for the trait, will inherit the favourable sets of genes responsible for promoting the trait and so improve their ability to STAY.
We remain dedicated to pursuing and improving this set of traits so we might deliver young sires capable of lasting four (4) breeding seasons, to you, our valued clients.
Finally, I must sincerely thank Dr. Wade Shafer for his stimulating input into this article which included middle of the night (for Wade) chats
Greg Chappell
Principal
