Where We Started

1. Accelerating Genetic Improvement in Dairy Cattle in the Bovine Functional Genomics Laboratory (BFGL) and the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory (AIPL) at BARC Where We Are Today Where We Started • We used next generation DNA sequencing to discover >70,000 SNP for <$50,000. More locations than from SNP discovery in genome project. • A DNA assay with over 50,000 highly informative SNP was developed by the consortium. • The assay is available as a commercial product. • Over 200,000 genotyped using the BovineSNP50 = $30M!! • Genome enhanced genetic prediction will eventually replace traditional progeny testing. With this technology comparable predicted genetic values will be available at birth at a fraction of the cost of current methods. Genomic predictions of genetic merit were “Official” USDA evaluations in January, 2009! • Over 6000 young bulls evaluated - $150M in savings from progeny testing! • A strong history of USDA-ARS and industry cooperation in data collection and sharing. • A tradition of leveraging those data to provide state of the art genetic predictions to improve dairy cattle. • Technical challenge: an inability to measure most of the important traits on bulls, where intense selection is applied. • Traditional solution: Progeny Testing – by randomly mating young bulls and generating daughters with performance data, the genetic merit of the bulls can be determined. • Practical problem: Time and money! This process routinely takes 5-7 years and $50,000 for each bull. • The bovine genome project was initiated in 2003 with a budget of over $50 million. A BFGL scientist is co-chair of bovine haplotype map effort to discover and characterize single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers. • A consortium led by BFGL scientists was formed to build a high-density SNP chip using publicly available data. • Insufficient SNP were available to adequately develop this important resource. • An independent SNP discovery project was initiated. How We Got Here • Financial support from: • ARS – FTE, staff, HQ funded post-doc, funding for equipment and reagents. • CSREES – NRI grants. • Industry – financial support from artificial insemination companies (NAAB), breed associations, and an animal health company (Merial). • Collaborators: ARS-USMARC, Univ. Missouri, Univ. Alberta, Illumina Where We Are Going! • Prediction of merit for traits not routinely available – we expect, for example, to use feed efficiency data collected at BARC to enable prediction of efficiency in commercial dairy herds, having a direct impact on enhanced farm profitability and reduced environmental impact. • Developing a reduced marker set to routinely validate or determine parentage – same data can be used for traceback and moderate accuracy genetic predictions. Pilot project with over 100,000 animals collaboratively with biotech company, service providers, breed associations, and AI organizations. • Sequencing the turkey genome • Developing a high-density SNP chip