Genomic testing a possibility for Canadian Milking Shorthorn breeders - Cowsmo

Genomic testing a possibility for Canadian Milking Shorthorn breeders

So far, genomic testing and evaluation services have not yet been made available for the Milking Shorthorn breed. This is largely due to a small reference sire population as well as a lack of routine MACE evaluations for the Milking Shorthorn breed.
If genomics are to become a reality for our breed in Canada, we will need to
sample a large number of females as well as males.  One of the problems is that while we are probably a couple of years away from genomic testing in our breed,  given the current evolution of genomic research, we have some older cows and genetically unique individuals that may not be alive when genotyping becomes available.

For this reason, I am proposing that Milking Shorthorn breeders work together with the Society to establish a gene bank of samples that the Society would store until needed for genotyping. This would have several advantages, including:

• Safe and secure storage of samples in one location
• Preservation of samples on animals that may not be alive in future years
• Having a large group of samples ready to go immediately when a research or testing project is approved and financed
• Also serves as a back-up for cows that may need to be parentage tested in the future for embryos or sire testing purposes.

My proposal is that each CMSS member contribute samples to the gene bank. For members with small numbers of animals, this may involve 1 or 2 samples. For members with larger herds, they may choose to contribute as many as 10 or 20 samples. There would not be a limit on samples received. Sending a sample would not require that sample to be tested in the future and there is no financial commitment by contributing samples.
Samples would be in the form of hair samples in the way that samples are currently collected for parentage testing by GenServe. 15 or more tail hairs with intact follicles would pulled for each animal, taped to a piece of paper, and placed in an individual white envelope, with the animal’s name and registration number written on the envelope. These envelopes would then be sent to me for organization and safe-keeping until needed in the future. The only cost to the member will be their time in collecting the sample and posting the samples to the office, but that cost should be minimal.

I propose that these samples be taken this winter while animals are inside and easy to access and there are fewer other competing priorities. While sample could arrive any time and be kept, I propose an early deadline of March 31st, 2014. As an incentive, three members who submit samples by March 31st would have their names drawn at random to win promotional item prizes from the CMSS (hats, toques, bags, books, etc).

Priority animals for collection:
• Cows over 5 years of age
• Cows in the Top 100 LPI cows
• Cows by AI sires
• Cows by older sires that are currently unavailable (Peerless, Prince Edward, Nell’s Prestige, Outlaw, Peri’s Champ, Roxie’s Rodd, Lance, etc)
• Cows with high reliability percentages (50% or higher)
• Cows with large numbers of progeny
• Cows that have had a son used as a herd sire or as an AI sire
• Cows with extreme values for traits (both high and low), including fat and protein %, Somatic Cell, milk, and various type traits.

We want to get a cross section of the breed and not just top animals, so I could encourage breeders to consider sending samples on lower producing or low classification cows as well. These animals may be valuable in future genomic testing to improve accuracy by being able to differentiate top genetics from poorer genetics.

Breeders would be contacted before any of these samples would be submitted in the future for genomic testing. At that point, there may be costs for genotyping unless submitting as part of a research project. Also, I would encourage the sending of a hair sample on any sires being used in the herd. This could be invaluable to filling in pedigree holes in the future.

If you have any questions about this program, please feel free to contact me at any of the methods listed below. I hope that you will consider participating in this project in an effort to set the breed up for future success!

Secretary/Manager: Ryan Barrett
Phone: (902) 439-9386
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cmss.on.ca

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