Genomic Project Update/Projet Génomique Mise à Jour
By/Par Sandy Russell CSA Genomics Project Manager/Responsable du projet de génomique de l’ACS
Simmental Innovations The first year of the Simmental Innovations research initiatives are behind us and as we move into the summer the work continues to move forward. The Genomics Innovations project funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is well into the second of the three year time frame and work on the Meat Quality project funded through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund and Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ADF/ALMA) is also now underway. The second group of Simmental-influenced cattle that were placed on feed at the University of Guelph in December 2011 is scheduled to be harvested at the end of July. Once those cattle are harvested the third group of cattle will enter the University of Guelph feedlot in early August. Cattle for this third fill have been secured and are sourced out of Saskatchewan. This group of 1100 pound Simmental influenced cattle is scheduled to remain on feed until they are harvested in mid-to-late November. At that time, the fourth fill of approximately 700 pound cattle will go on feed. If you would like to participate in the research initiatives and will have approximately 700 pound Simmental influenced cattle with parentage information available for sale in late November please contact Bruce Holmquist. Individual performance and carcass information is collected on all the cattle that are placed on feed at the University of Guelph. The initial data from the first group of cattle has been compiled and analysis is underway. DNA samples have also been collected on the cattle, shipped to Saskatoon for extraction at SRC Laboratories and sent to GeneSeek Laboratories for 700K genotyping. To date, 1248 samples have been genotyped and the data will be used within the project. Finished cattle of Simmental-influence from Western Canada are also being sourced for the CSA Meat Quality project. Rib samples from these cattle will be collected within the
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processing plant as they are harvested. If you have Simmental or Simmental-influenced cattle that are currently on feed or will be going on feed in the coming year and have parentage information available please contact Bruce Holmquist. Cattle that participate in this project will be sold and harvested under the owner’s traditional system and schedule; however once sold and harvest dates have been scheduled coordination will occur with the purchasing plant to collect rib samples during processing and the samples will be purchased directly from the plant. There is absolutely no cost or inconvenience to the producer. Complete meat analysis will be conducted on the samples and DNA will be sent for genotyping on all these cattle. Those who participate in the research will receive all grading and meat quality data collected on their individual animals. DNA samples are also still being sourced on sires that have a high influence in the Canadian Simmental population. Ongoing lists of samples still being sought are regularly published in the CSA e-newsletter for members’ information. These samples are being bio-banked at SRC in Saskatoon and will undergo genotyping. Samples from the thirty most influential sires within the breed are also being collected for sequencing under the Genome Canada project, of which CSA is a partner. Sequencing on the first samples is currently underway at Delta Genomics in Edmonton. The CSA project team continues to aggressively work on the various research initiatives undertaken by the CSA in order to meet our project objectives and ultimately enhance the resources available for Simmental breeders. As we work through the research plan we will continue to communicate progress and findings. If you have any questions or have cattle that may fit within the research plan or DNA samples from sires that are being sought please contact Bruce Holmquist, CEO of Programming & External Relations @ 403.988.8676 or bholmquist@simmental.com.