The Quest for the Best A nimal: Genetics for the Future

1. The Quest for the Best Animal: Genetics for the Future Frikkie Neser & Michiel Scholtz

2. The Dilemma with the Cattle Stud Industry : “The Stud world can afford to change the environment to suit their genetics. The commercial beef producer, on the other hand, can only afford to have the genetics that suit their environment” Ian Lock – Hereford stud breeder “A true genetic program, focussed on breeding, not feeding!” ” Ian Lock – Hereford stud breeder

3. Factors that will drive future genetics • Economy • Climate • Environmental Activism • Consumer Preference • Technology

4. Economy:

5. Current Fertility Situation • All stud breeds in performance recording: 76% • Commercial herds in performance recording: 83% • Total commercial sector: 61% • Emerging sector: 48% • Communal sector: 35% NEED: defined breeding seasons, breeding objectives (scrotal circumference, days to calving)

6. Income Potential for each scenario:

7. Profitability of different frame size at different levels of fertility

8. Profitability of different frame size at different levels of fertility (5% direct & 10% maternal heterosis)

9. Benefit of crossbreeding in South Africa Increased cow productivity (Kg calf weaned / LSU) through properly designed crossbreeding systems: • Simmentaler x Afrikaner = 15% • Angus x Nguni = 21% • F1 Afrikaner cow: up to 49% without additional herd costs through properly designed crossbreeding systems, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of beef production.

10. Heterosis in a three breed sheep cross (Falconer, 1981)

11. You shall keep My statutes. You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind, ….. Leviticus 19: 19

12. Climate

13. Sceptics

14. 1910 1950 2018 The reality of climate change

15. Predictions-Southern Africa Temperature Rainfall General drier southern African region, except for central regions and Eastern Cape → wetter. Significant reduction of more than 40 mm/annum in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the south-western Cape and the Cape south coast. Variable rainfall Increases in average temperature of 1.5 to 2oC, ranging from 0.5 at seaboard to 6oC in eastern Namibia and western Botswana More heat spells

16. DIRECT EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BEEF FARMING • Ambient temperature has the largest direct effect on beef cattle. • Normal comfort zone between 4 and 24°C High temperatures: • decrease in feed intake in order to reduce digestive heat production • reduce grazing time (animals do not graze in hot midday hours) • sweating and water intake increases

17. Climate change will: • Change type of vegetation • Change vegetation cover • Change grazing patterns • Internal and external parasites • Impact on how animals adapt to their environment and distribution • Some breeds may disappear or become hobby breeds • Work with nature in selection program • Select for reproduction and production under natural conditions

18. ADAPTATION TO PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS Differences in tolerance to heat between and within breeds. Thus we can select to improve heat tolerance.

19. Comparison of the weaning weights of Sanga sired calves and Angus/Simmental sired calves between the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons. Effect of heat waves on post weaning ADG: Angus and Simmentaler types – 17% decrease Sanga and Sanga derived types - 9% decrease 2015/2016 – 12 heatwaves with 71 heatwave days 2016/2017- 2 heatwaves with 7 heatwave days

20. Heat stress • Heat stress is a common cause of reproductive inefficiency. Semen quality decreases when bulls are exposed to high ambient temperatures. • Correlation between relative humidity one month prior to the start of the breeding season and calving %: -0.95 (Bull fertility?) • Correlation between minimum temperature and calving %: -0.35. (Cows were unable to cool down at night - lower conception rates and resorptions?)

21. Heat Stress The effect of weather patterns on growth of beef calves in a warm climate • Correlation between BLUE values (”true environment”) for weaning weight and maximum seaonal temperature: -0.65 • Temperature explains 42% of variation in weaning weight (3 degrees difference)

22. Feed intake and water intake is different between different breeds • Angus/Simmental – Eat only when its cool (Late afternoon and early morning ) – Gorge themselves –produce more heat • Afrikaner and Nguni smaller portions through the day (up to 15 times a day) • Nguni drink water to cool it self down • Afrikaner’s water intake does not necessary increase when it is hot

23. Environmental Activism

24. Can efficiency of beef production be improved? US Beef productivity (1977-2007): • Beef carcass yield increased 22% • Age at slaughter reduced 21% • Total beef production increased 11% • Population decreased 5 million head • 18% less manure • 16% lower carbon footprint

25. Advert on Sales Catalogue of Lee Leachman When pigs can fly When will cattle convert 3.2->1

26. Phase C Results • 1>2.28 kg • 2.286 kg per day • 1>4.6kg • 2.061 kg per day • 1>5.06 • 1.54 kg per day

27. Phase C Results • 1>2.28 kg Charolais • 2.286 kg per day • 1>4.6kg Hereford • 2.061 kg per day • 1>5.06 Nguni • 1.54 kg per day

28. Changes in efficiency traits and cow productivity over 25 years

29. Theeffect of a 5% change in thecomponenttraitsoncowproductivityandtheMEFenteric

30. Improve beef production efficiency in South Africa through • Improved fertility – current calving percentages • Improved cow efficiency – kg calf weaned /LSU • Post weaning efficiency – select for residual traits, feedintake • Effective crossbreeding

31. Consumer Preference:

32. Meat Quality: • Consumers became more sophisticated • Demand a better product • Serious effort to improve meat quality through selection • Tenderness • Marbling • Eye muscle area • Change the meat classification system to a grading system • Traceability system should be put in place • Select for temperament

33. Eating quality vs Age

34. Perceptions! • Australia: • Toughest meat ever tested? • Brahman • Most tender meat ever tested? • Brahman

35. Genomics:

36. Genomic selection • Is a statistical process where both phenotypic and genotypic information are combined to estimate a genomic breeding value (GEBV) for a animal • Currently we use SNP • Will eventually be replace by whole genome sequencing

37. Biggest benefits: • Difficult to measure traits • Traits measured late in life • Traits measured in only one sex • Traits that can only be measured when the animal is dead • Lowly heritable traits

38. Finding True Genetic Merit Progeny TRUE EBV Progeny Ped. Est. EBV Sire EBV Dam EBV Mendelian Sampling Effect 2011 NBCEC Brown Bagger Series-Session 1-Weaber

39. Challenges in Stud industry • SA only imports genetic material (no exports) • SA‘s contribution to world GEBV’s only phenotypes • Lack of phenotypes for fertility and difficult to measure traits • Small populations • Lack of collaboration (local and international) • Building a reference population • Funding • Buy in of breeders

40. Challenges in Stud industry • Limited use of AI • Not enough links (especially for internationals breeds)

41. In The World of Genomics Phenotypes is King

42. Red cow philosophy • I don't advocate or have a preference for red cattle • Red cattle obtain on average between 10 – 15% higher prices at auctions • Interestingly in breeds where both black and red animals are available – breeders will tell you that the black animals outperform the red. They, however, still prefer the red.

49. Simbra Beefmaster Angus Bovelder Senepol Brangus

50. Bonsmara