Polled Gene Marker Test
Polled Gene Marker Test - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
| Beef CRC and Meat & Livestock Australia in association with the Animal Genetics Laboratory at the University of Queensland have recently completed industry testing in commercial cattle herds to measure the effectiveness of a new poll gene marker that has been developed for Australian herds by Beef CRC and its partners, MLA and CSIRO. When a producer buys a bull, the producer wants to know if the bull is “true-polled”, that is, possesses a double copy of the poll gene. Polled bulls are often more valuable in production systems. The new Beef CRC Australian poll gene marker test aims to identify whether cattle are “true polled” or whether a visibly polled animal may still carry a recessive gene for the horned trait and throw a proportion of horned offspring. This mixed gene “heterozygous” genotype is also associated with scurs, which are incomplete horns. A true polled animal is a “homozygous” and carries a double copy of the poll gene. A true polled animal won’t throw horned offspring. The new genetic diagnostic test will help producers to breed more polled animals in their herds which will help improve productivity and reduce the need for dehorning young animals. |
Polled Gene Test quick links |
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Polled Gene Test latest news |
| September 2011: Polled Gene Test Fact Sheet |
| September 2011: Polled Gene Test Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |
| August 2011: Polled Gene Test Media Release |
| August 2011: "New gene test puts producers in polled position" (Hereford Case Study) |
| August 2011: "New gene test puts producers in polled position" (Brahman Case Study) |
| July 2011: View Utilising DNA to change trait types industry webinar. |
| July 2011: Download slides from industry webinar where coat colour and polled gene test are discussed. |
| April 2011: Technical Report |
| August 2010: DNA polled test breakthrough by Jon Condon |
| August 2010: Producers take 'polled' position by Jon Condon |
| The Beef CRC has identified a diagnostic DNA marker that accurately identifies homozygous polled bulls in >90% of cases in the breeds tested. The marker was provided to the University of Queensland’s Animal Genetics Laboratory in March 2010 for commercial development and inclusion in its DNA parentage testing panel of markers and further field testing in additional breeds of cattle. Field validation testing will provide more data and all results will be published, allowing other genomics companies to include the test in their commercial product offerings. Further research is being undertaken to determine whether additional marker(s) are associated with scurs and/or African horns to increase the accuracy of the existing diagnostic test. |
| Video presentation of the data by Dr John Henshall |
| PowerPoint presentation of the data by Dr John Henshall |
| Joint media statement: Beef CRC, CSIRO, Meat & Livestock Australia |
| Industry use: The diagnostic test will be used by industry to differentiate polled individuals (bulls or cows to be used for breeding) that carry one (heterozygous) or two (homozygous) copies of the favourable polled marker. Breeders will collect a biological sample (blood, tail hair, ear punch sample of muscle etc) for DNA extraction and assaying by a commercial laboratory. Homozygous polled bulls are expected to produce 100% polled calves when jointed to horned, scurred or polled females. Economic impact: The cost of labour for de-horning calves is estimated at $0.17 to $0.33 per head. The value from reduced mortalities due to de-horning is estimated at $1.70 per weaner. The total value to Queensland alone from not having to dehorn calves is estimated at $3.5m per annum. Beef CRC economic analyses indicate the impacts of maintaining market access threatened by the combined effects of animal welfare concerns (including de-horning cattle) and chemical residues caused by inappropriate acaricide use in tickendemic areas are ~$27.5 million per annum. |
