Use of DNA sequence technology by farmer cooperative Livestock Improvement
(LIC) has led to the discovery of a recessive small calf gene - opening the
door to managing Small Calf Syndrome out of the dairy industry.
David Hemara, Acting CEO of LIC, said "This is an important discovery.
Identifying the gene means we can start managing a problem which has existed
on farms for decades."
The Small Calf Syndrome affects predominantly Holstein Friesian and a lesser
number of crossbred animals. Incidence of the Syndrome has been assessed to
be around one to two affected calves in the average 400 cow New Zealand herd
per year.
David Hemara said that LIC''s large genetics database and ongoing research
programme enabled the Cooperative to "go back 30 years screening the DNA of
our bulls, and beyond that through pedigree records. That research suggests
the genetic variation existed in the early 1960s and possibly before then.
We can''t be sure of when or where it started."
David Hemara said LIC understands that the gene''s discovery will be of
interest to dairy farmers with Holstein Friesian or crossbred animals.
"Our programme of gene discovery and DNA sequencing is improving our ability
to isolate negative genes. This is a good thing for the dairy industry."
Eradicating the genetic variation from the national herd is a priority for
genetics companies and CRV Ambreed CEO, Angus Haslett, emphasised the
discovery''s importance "to all New Zealand breeding companies and farmers.
"Over the years a number of genetic variations have been discovered and
managed out of the industry and this will be no different. CRV Ambreed will
work with LIC to manage this genetic variation so its impact is minimised on
New Zealand farms in the future."
David Hemara said "This is the latest in a range of genetic variations which
have been discovered, and largely eliminated, over the years. Diseases like
CVM and BLAD used to be present in New Zealand herds but their incidence has
been reduced thanks to their discovery and managed removal from the national
herd.
Ends
End CA:00235722 For:LIC Type:GENERAL Time:2013-05-01 10:40:48