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Genetic improvement of Brahman in Southern Africa

Genetic improvement of Brahman in Southern Africa. Prof Norman Maiwashe (PhD, Pri Sci Nat) Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300. 2014 Brahman World Congress, 8 April 2014, South Africa. Outline.

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Genetic improvement of Brahman in Southern Africa

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  1. Genetic improvement of Brahman in Southern Africa Prof Norman Maiwashe (PhD, Pri Sci Nat) Agricultural Research Council, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062 University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300 2014 Brahman World Congress, 8 April 2014, South Africa

  2. Outline

  3. Fundamentals of genetic improvement • Genetic improvement refers to beneficial genetic change Superiority of selected animals Genetic Change = Accuracy of selection criterion per year Genetic variation / Generation Interval EBV is the most accurate selection criterion You need performance to get EBV

  4. Qualities of Brahman cattle • Hardiness • Adaptability • Good mothering ability • Heat tolerance • Disease resistance • Parasite resistance

  5. First importation of Brahman to SADC – 1950s

  6. A lot happened since the first importation of Brahman • Some interesting statistics on Brahmans in the SADC

  7. Brahman is one of the most popular breeds in SADC South African figures

  8. Number of animals recorded annually in major SA breeds

  9. Brahman in SADC

  10. Few countries in SADC have formal Brahman Breeders Societies

  11. Genetic Improvement • Breeding Goal • Selection Criteria • Genetic Evaluation • Selection and breeding

  12. Breeding Goal of the Brahman • Breeding of animals that: • are adapted, • have desired conformation, • highly fertile (both bulls and cows), • achieves acceptable growth rates and • would be preferred by commercial producers • Are all Brahman breeders selecting towards this Goal?

  13. Performance Recording • Levels of performance recording differs among the SADC countries Accuracy of selection

  14. Brahman breeders are taking performance recording seriously! • Implementation of a Completeness of Performance Herd Rating System • It summarizes the quantity of pedigree and performance data

  15. Collaboration between ARC and SA Brahman • Collection of feed intake data through central test centers • Ultrasound scanning of animals

  16. Non-exhaustive list of traits measured • Structural / conformation, • Behavioral traits • Ultrasound measures: • Rump and rib fat thickness • Eye-muscle area and • Intramuscular fat percentage • Birth weight • 200-, 400- and 600-day weight • Mature weight • Days to calving • Gestation length • Scrotal size • Docility Regional Genetic Evaluation conducted by BreedPlan

  17. Genetic trends for growth traits ± 10kg ± 8 kg ± 6 kg

  18. ±0.5 day ±0.5 day ±0.2 cm

  19. What to make of the genetic trends? • Selection using many breeding values could result in undesirable response in other economically important traits • Traits are genetically correlated

  20. It can get worse … Feedlot feed consumption Feedlot survival Pre-wean survival Serving capacity Serving proportion Semen volume Hip height Leg score Length productive life Doing ability Grand-maternal weaning Twinning rate Days to 11mm BF Days to 75% Choice Days to carcass weight Hair whorl score Average daily gain Weight /day of age Liver weight Resting heart rate Pulmonary arteriole pressure Brisket disease rate Bravery Aggression • Gestation length • Days to calving • Calving interval • Stayability • Heifer pregnancy rate • Rebreeding rate • Calf weaned/cow exposed • Scrotal circumference • Pelvic area • Frame score • Muscle score • Udder score • Docility • Tick score • Parasite egg count • Mature weight • Maintenance energy • Feed efficiency • Drop weight • Type score • Uterine score • Tooth score • Precocity score • Birth direct • Birth maternal • Weaning direct • Weaning maternal • Total maternal • Yearling direct • 600 d direct • Calving direct • Calving maternal • Carcass weight • Rib fat • Rump fat • LMA • Marbling score • Quality grade • % Retail yield • Pounds (kg) retail yield • Yield grade • US LMA • US rib fat • US % IMF • Fat percentage • Condition score Mission impossible Prof Bruce Golden, USA

  21. Breeding objectives – Rand/Dollar Value • There is a need for unified or optimal selection tool • That takes antagonisms amongst traits into account • Selection Index (Rand-Values) provides such a tool Rand-Value Index = Breeding Values * Economic Values

  22. Recent development on Rand-Values • Namibia has led the way • South Africa has recently implemented a Rand-Value Index • The Rand-values represent different production-marketing systems • Brahman Rangeland Grazing Index • Brahman Wean Index • Brahman Feedlot Index

  23. Summary • Good progress in the Brahman is partially attributable to a good pace of adoption of science and technology amongst breeders • Regional integration in design and implementation of genetic improvement in the breedshould be encouraged • Investment in research and development is essential to ensure that the breed remain competitive

  24. Summary • Opportunity for the breed • Increase in the demand for animal protein • Communal and emerging farming community • Climate change • Threat to breed improvement • Inconsistent breeding goal Beautiful Animals Productive Animals

  25. Thanks for Your Attention

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