Issue #2: Genetics

1. Issues in Animal Agriculture Issue #2: Genetics Animal Science Principles of Industry

2. Genetics have long been part of beef cattle reproduction Purebred versus Crossbred Hybrid Vigor: crossing two purebreds results in offspring larger than either The Background

3. The Background • Artificial Insemination • Using semen from genetically superior bulls to improve herd • Began about 50 years ago

4. QUESTION! Select the following true statement(s): a) They have moved fertilized eggs from one cow to another in the laboratory b) Scientists can make a cow ovulate up to a maximum of 5 eggs at once for fertilization c) Producers are currently having cows ovulate multiple eggs and then transferring the embryos to other cows

5. QUESTION! Select the following true statement(s): a) They have moved fertilized eggs from one cow to another in the laboratory b) Scientists can make a cow ovulate over 30 eggs at once for fertilization c) Producers are currently having cows ovulate multiple eggs and then transferring the embryos to other cows

6. The Background • Embryo transfer • Moving bred embryos from a flushed donor cow (5-30 fertilized eggs) to surrogate cows • More common/popular in the last 15 years

7. Cattle Genetics Today • Genomics? • Sexed semen? • Cloned animals?

8. Cattle Genetics Today • Cloning • First animal cloning occurred in 1980’s • Embryos cloned • First adult mammal cloned was Dolly the Sheep in 1996

9. Cattle Genetics Today • Cloning • Quickly moved to cattle • Early results were limited in success • Dolly was only successful lamb out of 277 initial attempts

10. QUESTION! How much would it cost to clone your bull?

11. QUESTION! How can a steer reproduce?

12. GENETIC COPIES OF N BAR PRIMROSE 2424 DOMINATE SALES AT 2009 NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW February 3, 2009 (01:19 PM) February 3, 2009 Sioux Center, Iowa – Two genetic copies of N Bar Primrose 2424, sold as yet-to-be-born pregnancies, dominated both the Denim and Diamonds and also the Bases Loaded Angus sales at the recent National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. The Denim and Diamonds sale was topped with the pregnancy consigned by Broken Arrow Ranch at a bid of $65,000. This pregnancy was purchased by Luddington Cattle Company and Kiomichi Link. Express Angus Ranch consigned the pregnancy that was the second high-seller in the Bases Loaded sale, for a bid of $62,500 made by Tommy Turner of Waco, Texas.N Bar Primrose 2424 has had a major impact on the entire breed. Prominent sons of this breed matron include the legendary Pathfinder Sire N Bar Emulations EXT, WCC Special Design L309, EXAR New Look 2971, EXAR Foundation 1806 and WCC Precision E161. In addition to her influential sons, numerous prominent daughters have commanded top bids at industry sales and have been key genetic influences in breeding programs around the world. N Bar Primrose 2424 now will continue to impact the breed because of the advancements of cloning technology. “This cow has had an amazing influence on the breed, and producing genetic copies of her, and now having those calves distributed throughout elite breeding herds, is going to make her genetic influence even greater,” said Diane Broek, Bovance general manager. “We are just as excited and anxious as the new owners to see the N Bar Primrose 2424 calves on the ground.”Also turning heads in the yard exhibits at the National Western was the genetic copy of the Champion Steer at the 2008 Houston Stock Show and Rodeo™. Phil Lautner of Lautner Farms proudly displayed the beautiful bull, aptly named Houston, as part of his sire showcase for the upcoming breeding season. Through cloning technology by Bovance, the genetics of the donor steer can now be passed along through his bull clone. “Houston is a great example of how cloning technology can help the beef industry,” said Broek. “Elite steers are, of course, not able to reproduce; therefore, their genetics are lost even before we know how good they are for growth and carcass traits. With cloning technology, the best can be brought back as fertile breeding bulls, as in the case of Houston.”

13. Cattle Genetics Today • Commercial Cloning • Commercial cloning is now available through multiple companies • Expense is high but manageable for high end cattle • $20,000 and up

14. Cattle Genetics Today • Why Clone? • Can increase number of animals available • Can replace animals who have been injured/too old to reproduce • Use genetics from steers to reproduce • Store genetics from today for the future

15. QUESTION! Would you eat cloned beef if you knew what it was?

16. Cattle Genetics Today • Is cloning safe? • In December 2006, FDA determined there was no difference between cloned animal food products (meat, milk) and other animals

17. Cloning Controversy • Many opponents to cloning • Not natural/“Playing God” • Limiting the diversity of genetic gene pool • Possible mass-distribution of genetic defects • Impressive line in Quarter Horses?

18. Cloning Controversy • Many opponents to cloning • Cloned food products do not have to be labeled in any way • Not regulated any differently than other meat products

19. The Future? “Genetically engineered cattle could resist mad cow disease” 2007 “Cow-free Beef Proposed” 2004

20. The Future? Worlds First Test Tube Hamburger to cost $380,000 (9/23/2011)

21. The Ethical Issue • Is it ethical to clone animals? • Can we go farther and actually change genes to meet needs (genetic engineering)? • Is it okay to eat food created in a lab?