140 likes | 233 Views
Assessing a research project ~ with reference to the big picture. Grant Shackell, AgResearch “Blue sky to deep water: the reality and the promise” ANZCCART Conference 2008 Auckland NZ. ~ 5,000,000. ~ 35,000,000. Pastoral agriculture. ~ 5,000,000. Pithomyces chartarum. Sporidesmin.
E N D
Assessing a research project ~ with reference to the big picture. Grant Shackell, AgResearch “Blue sky to deep water: the reality and the promise” ANZCCART Conference 2008 Auckland NZ
~ 5,000,000 ~ 35,000,000 Pastoral agriculture ~ 5,000,000
Pithomyces chartarum Sporidesmin
Toxicity GGT GDH
Treatment • 3% clinical = 50-95% sub-clinical • no cure • Zn prophylaxis – toxicity • breed for resistance • as increases D/R has to increase
Where is it? 70% of dairy 60% of beef 40% of sheep
Texel (T) ewes SusceptibleorResistant? Finnish Landrace (F) rams h2≈ 0.4 160 Coopworth ewes per ram by AI etc. 3 FxT rams 200 half-sib progeny per ram Sporidesmin challenge Measure FE traits of progeny (serum GGT & GDH + liver injury)
The protocol • 2000 animals challenged • 0.2 - 0.3 mg/kg liveweight • blood sampled weekly • good feed supply • shade • welfare commitment
The results • 60% GGT >70 (71- 1185) • animals with elevated GGT/GDH monitored • 15% clinically affected • placed indoors in shade • 0.5% deaths/euthanasia
The outcome • very powerful DNA resource • augment with natural challenge • whole genome selection (SNPs)
Was it justified? There was some ethical cost • Refinement • Reduction • Replacement • Rationale Benefit is improved animal welfare