26


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • NOVEMBER 2016 Genomics will help build a better beef herd by CHRIS YATES


QUICK – Genomics as a tool for building a strong commercial beef herd is a relatively new idea for most smaller ranchers in Canada, so Delta Genomics CEO Michelle Miller had her work cut out for her when she introduced the concept in an hour- long presentation at the Bulkley Valley Cattlemens’ field day, October 1. “Genomics is a new field of science that can help producers manage their herds and improve their profitability,” she told producers as she explained how DNA markers can be used to select replacement heifers. “It also has the promise of enhancing the quality of meat while promoting environmental sustainability,” she added.


“A genetic test will tell you whether your calf’s going to be black or red,” Miller explained, addressing the difference between genetics and genomics. “There’s a test for that, for $20.”


Genomics will look at broader questions, like which heifers will increase efficiency and profitability. Deciding on replacement heifers is not simple, she admits, but if you know what traits you’d like emphasized or balanced in your cows, then genomics can help.


Delta Genomics offers two options for testing: Gold and Silver.


Pre-owned Tractors & Equipment


JD 250 SKID STEER NEW TIRES 12-16.5 $18,500


CLAAS PU 380 GRASS PICK UP 12.5’ WIDTH $4,900


UNIFARM CW440 4 BASKET


3 PT HITCH TEDDER $3,900 NH H7550


MID PIVOT MOWER CONDITIONER 13’ CUTTING WIDTH $26,900


CLAAS 3900TC


MOWER CONDITIONER, 12.5’ CUTTING WIDTH $29,900


JD 7450 PRODRIVE SPFH 4X4 KP, 10' GRASS PU, 676 6 ROW CORNHEAD CALL FOR PRICING.


www.caliberequipment.ca


604-864-2273 34511 VYE ROAD ABBOTSFORD STORE HOURS MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8-5 SATURDAY 8 TIL 12


Look to CLAAS for all your hay and forage needs and experience success across the entire harvesting chain. The CLAAS family of prod- ucts offers rugged durability and continuous reliability. CLAAS balers and hay tools have been leading the way with innovative technology and an unparalleled range of features suitable for any size operation.


DNA markers collected from Angus and several other breeds in the US. “Genomic testing is much more common south of the border among commercial and purebred producers. There hasn’t been as much interest in genomics in Canada so far, but it’s growing,” she said. Some Canadian purebred associations and breeders are using DNA testing to validate EPD (expected progeny differences) numbers which are in widespread use. She showed how to take the results for each animal and match them against the numbers from the others in the test group to come up with a ranking from first to last (one to seven in this case), from most desirable to least.


Michelle Miller, Delta Genomics (Emily Bulmer photo)


“(With) gold, you get 13 traits; silver you get six,” she explained. Traits are divided into maternal, performance and carcass. The silver test is $35 per animal. Producers can submit either hair or blood samples.


Miller used the results from a silver test using hair samples from seven heifers to demonstrate what genomics can add to what the farmer already knows from records and experience. “It’s a tool – an addition to the information you already have.” Miller told the group the most


important thing to do before testing is to decide what it is they want in their herd.


“What are the traits you value the most in a cow? ... In these heifers, it was calving ease, stayability, RFI (residual feed intake), marbling and tenderness, and average daily gain – in that order.”


Miller said five of the six traits in are ranked from one to ten, with ten being highest. (Lower numbers are better on RFI results.) The value placed on each trait is based on thousands of


If only three or four of the seven heifers will be used as replacements, this test will help the rancher decide which are the best ones to keep to help build the herd.


“Our goal is to increase the profitability, competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian livestock industry and we do that through the introduction of genomic technology, helping move science from research at the university into industry,” Miller explained.


The field day was hosted by Poplar Meadows with financial support from Growing Forward 2, Bulkley Valley Cattlemen, Bulkley Valley Dairymen and the BC Horn Levy fund.


First and Still Foremost.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48