Harper Government Invests in New Technology to Support Cattle Industry An Alberta company will boost the value and use of genomics in the cattle industry with new trait identification tools. Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, and the Honourable Laurie Hawn, PC, CD, MP (Edmonton Centre) announced January 10, 2013 an investment in Delta Genomics Centre to provide genomics technology to the Canadian cattle sector in order to optimize productivity. "Our Government remains focused on the economy, and Canada's world-class beef industry relies on the latest technologies to increase their competitiveness and grow our economy," said PS Lemieux. "Using genomic tools for breeding and selection can help producers lower costs of production and deliver a better quality product to the market and boost their bottom lines." "The continued success of Canadian agriculture depends on the ability of our producers to remain at the top of the pack when it comes to innovation," said MP Hawn. "This investment shows that our Government is committed to the advancement of our agriculture innovation sector." The investment of more than $575,000 will help Delta Genomics Centre accelerate the adoption of
Background Information
new genetic profiling tools that are more accurate, less costly and less time-consuming than traditional DNA tools. Potential future benefits extend to feedlot owners and processors, who will use the technology to efficiently pinpoint animals with the right meat qualities. These innovative tools use genomics technology to give producers the chance to look "under the hide" and make improvements to their cattle. Genomics, the study of an animal's genetic composition (DNA) or "profile," can identify valuable traits like disease resistance, carcass quality, or feed efficiency. Using new technology, the tools identify SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) which are genetic markers that can be tracked between parents and their offspring. Trait selection for markers such as meat quality, animal health and feed efficiency can lead to a more consistent product in the marketplace. Similar technology is being implemented in other countries. The funding will help Delta Genomics Centre collect and analyze samples from the cattle sector for SNP testing. The samples and profile results will be catalogued for use by Canadian breed associations."This project is an essential stepping stone to get the benefits of genomics into the hands of
producers on the ground" said Colin Coros, VP Operations of Delta Genomics Centre. "It will allow our project partners to adopt a new sire identification tool, which is fundamental to using more in depth DNA profiles for genetic improvement of Canadian cattle." This project is supported through the Agricultural Innovation Program - a $50-million initiative announced as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan 2011 and part of the Government's commitment to help Canadian producers benefit from cutting-edge science and technology. The Program boosts the development and commercialization of innovative new products, technologies, and processes for the agricultural sector. For more information about this and other Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada programs, please visit www.agr.gc.ca. Additionally, the new Growing Forward 2 agreement signed by Ministers and AAFC last month will continue to drive innovation and long-term growth in Canada. Governments have agreed to invest more than $3 billion over five years in innovation, competitiveness and market development. ~ Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
What is Livestock Gentec? Livestock Gentec is an Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions centre, created to carry out and capitalize on world-class genomics research, bringing commercial benefits to the Canadian livestock industry. Livestock Gentec brings together a team of world-class scientists that represents a broad spread of scientific interests and expertise in genomics. The scientific team has an outstanding track record of scientific achievement and of developing technologies that directly benefit the livestock industry. The executive team has extensive experience in technology commercialization in the genomics field and has led numerous international, multi-disciplinary projects. Livestock Gentec is also fortunate to have Management and Scientific Advisory Boards that represent all areas of the livestock sector and bring international perspectives to the research. A variety of key partners from universities, research networks, government agencies, livestock industry associations and private sector companies add value to Livestock Gentec.
Rapidly developing market forces are placing increased pressure on the livestock industry in Canada. Canada needs to continually improve several key performance attributes to maintain and enhance its position as a major player. Genomics technologies have already helped the Canadian dairy industry make tremendous advances in breeding, yield and health. Other livestock industry sectors could reap similar benefits. Livestock Gentec Research creates information that drives discovery, innovation and commercialization. The research provides a link between an animal’s genetic heritage (genotype) and its traits (phenotype), and leads to the develop-
Livestock Gentec philosophy of ‘Why Genomics is Needed’ * Improve return on investment through more Using advanced genomics tools can help livestock producers efficient breeding and management * Make selection decisions sooner by identifying top * Enhance food safety by reducing disease and use genetics earlier of antibiotics, and by improving health and * Improve traits that are difficult to measure and traceability therefore difficult to address with conventional * Produce new high quality and healthy consumer breeding technologies (reproductive efficiency, foods and value-added products health, behavior, etc.) What Livestock Gentec Does ment of advanced genomic tools that industry can use to improve production. Research focus:* Productivity * Health * Quality * Traceability Livestock Gentec Programs bridge the gap between innovation and adoption.
Programs help industry—from breeders through to marketers—understand the technology, how it works and the benefits it can bring. Livestock Gentec also trains people to use genomic tools to improve profitability and product quality.
What is Delta Genomics A national, not-for-profit genomics service provider created as the service arm of Livestock Gentec. We provide biobanking, genotyping, and sequencing services for members of both the livestock industry and livestock research community. We also provide contract research services for clients looking to conduct demonstration and validation studies to identify novel genetic traits in their animals. Commercial Edition 2013
Angus World
Page 57