Information to Bring the World Together

1. Information to Bring the World Together • Collaboration to benefit the animal genetic resources (AnGR) community • As animal genebanks are initiated they all have the common need to manage information about their country’s genetic resources. The US had developed a first version of such a database and it became apparent there were needs for improvement. As the result of close collaborations already in place with Brazil, Canada, and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, it was decided to initiate this joint venture. • This is the first time 3 countries have become partners to build a common database • We believe the platform being developed will also have utility for other countries in the Western Hemisphere that want to better manage their AnGR Canadienne (Canada) Hereford (U.S.) • How the database can be used • Public reports • Real time access to the database; allows anyone to view the collection, from the U.S. & throughout the world • Point & click; no prior knowledge of the database required • AnGR management • Evaluate the genetic diversity collected and what needs to be added to the collection • Compare countries’ collections of the same breed and understand how they may be genetically similar or dissimilar • Develop tools that assist with in-situ conservation activities Gyr (Brazil)