Genetics and genomics for the Wagyu breed in Australia ~ a springboard for growth and profit

1. Genetics and genomics for the Wagyu breed in Australia~ a springboard for growth and profit Rob Banks AGBU AGBU

2. Summary • The current project • What opportunities does the project offer? AGBU 2013

3. Current Project - Question & Design • Qu: can we use feedlot and carcase data, together with DNA and traditional pedigree to: • produce EBVs for sires – to identify those with the best genes • develop a genomic test for use in bull breeding and feedlot management? • Basics: • collect feedlot and carcase records (growth, marble score and camera data) • collect DNA and determine pedigree (and use known pedigree) • analyse for genetic parameters (heritabilities, genetic correlations) • analyse for sire EBVs AGBU 2013

4. Current Project - Unknowns • Qu: can we use feedlot data and carcase data, together with DNA and traditional pedigree to: • produce EBVs for sires, • develop a genomic test for use in bull breeding and feedlot management? • How much data can we collect? • Will it be affected by unknown non-genetic effects (herd of origin, management groups in feedlot, harvesting)? • Will DNA describe genetic relationships accurately? • Will camera traits be superior to standard carcase traits for assessing genetic merit • Will there be any genetic differences for camera traits? AGBU 2013

5. The core aim: 1 – determining the value of animals’ genes – progeny test AGBU 2013

6. The core aim: 2 – determining the value of animals’ genes – genomics Accurate EBVs on young animals AGBU 2013

7. Current Project - Data • Carcase weights and AUSMEAT Marble Score: • 1854 records • 161 sires • Average weight 425 kg, MS 7.4 (range 3 to 10) • Camera traits • Between 600 and 1200 records • Over 200 animals genotyped to date • Used full breed pedigree file AGBU 2013

8. Camera traits • Include: • Marble score • Marbling coarseness • Meat colour • Marbling % • Number of marbling particles • Fineness of marbling particles • Eye Muscle Area AGBU 2013

9. Current Project - Initial results • All traits are heritable, can be improved by selection • Data shows evidence of harvesting (ie taking out animals once they reach some weight) – this causes problems in estimation of genetic parameters and EBVs AGBU 2013

10. Current Project - Initial results • CAUTION re genetic relationships between traits, but • Suggestions of strong correlations between scan IMF%, AUSMeat Marble score and Camera Marbling % EBVs AGBU 2013

11. Current Project - Initial EBVs AGBU 2013

12. Current Project - Initial EBVs AGBU 2013

13. Current Project - Initial EBVs AGBU 2013

14. Project Results – Initial EBVs • Treat with caution • They show the key to successful breeding – finding sons (and daughters) better than their parents • Good data on enough animals is the key AGBU 2013

15. Opportunities 1: Genomic test • A genomic test is possible • But much more data needed • Much better if data not harvested, or all cattle weighed and recorded when harvesting is done AGBU 2013

16. And calibration? Accuracy depends on data. Records needed for calibration:

17. And calibration? Accuracy depends on data. Records needed for calibration:

18. And calibration? Accuracy depends on data. Records needed for calibration:

19. Opportunities 2: What traits AGBU 2013

20. What traits? • You as a breed need to decide what traits are economically important: • Which EBVs to publish • IMF%, • AUSMEAT Marbling? • Marbling fineness (camera trait) • Seek extension of AUSMEAT scores to 12 or 13 • And? • Feed efficiency • Methane production • Maternal impact on growth (milk) AGBU

21. Opportunities 3: Using EBVs and genomic tests • Breeding better bulls • $Index based on whole value chain impact • Use genomic and performance data to select young bulls and heifers – screen large numbers to find the best • Use larger number of young bulls that are elite for viability plus growth efficiency plus carcase and eating quality • Screening cattle onto feed • Genomic test + sire EBV to define length of feeding AGBU 2013

22. Opportunities 4: Whole breed approach to genetic improvement • Organised quality data collection • ID calves at birth plus DNA • Regular weights through life • AUSMEAT marble score • Possibly camera • Early use of DNA test • Genomic pedigree • EBVs to pick elite young bulls and heifers, and screen animals for feedlot regime and market • R&D into value of JIVET plus MateSelection (to manage inbreeding while maximising genetic improvement) • Value of records needs to be agreed AGBU 2013

23. Opportunities 4: Whole breed approach to genetic improvement • Your unique opportunity is to collect lots of quality carcase records – 2-4,000 records per year (with full recording to account for harvesting), to feed into early genomic evaluation of next crop of young animals – a continuous process Breeding Nucleus (500-1,000 females) Data Genes Records on commercial animals (entire recorded Wagyu population) AGBU 2013

24. Opportunities 4: Whole breed approach to genetic improvement • What are competitors doing? • Japanese Wagyu are making progress in growth and carcase traits, based on over 30,000 recorded animals per year • Other breeds in Australia are starting to collect feedlot data including marbling, and Angus marbling is increasing steadily (as well as efficiency, methane production) • Poultry and pigs are breeding for efficiency and eating quality • You can leapfrog other beef breeds: • Only by capturing and using excellent performance data • and striving for maximum rate of progress to maintain your quality edge AGBU 2013

25. Key Points: • Current R&D project is delivering answers • Need to address data harvesting issue • Indications are for strong relationships between scan IMF%, AUSMeat Marbling and Camera Marbling • Much more data needed to underpin genomic tests • Considerable value in whole-of-breed approach AGBU