Genomic testing is just the start. Accessing and understanding the data is key to the successful use and application of this technology. So what’s on offer and how does it work?
TEXT PHIL EADES
The uptake of female genomic testing is increasing at a steady rate, and many producers are today seeing the real benefits in their herds. One supplier has now introduced a simple customised index to help ensure that all producers can access the full benefits of female genomic testing, so are some still hesitant to test?
AHDB recently reported that 20% of milk-recorded cows and heifers are now genomically tested. “Which is excellent,” says Neogen’s Rob Horn. “But a recent survey has also indicated that while 34% of producers have tried genomic evaluations to a lesser or greater extent, many lack the confidence to exploit the full benefits of the technology.”
He says that with all the uncertainty currently faced by the dairy sector, it is understandable that producers are finding it difficult to think longer term. “But in times of volatility it is important to focus on the things can be controlled. Breeding is a core decision that will underpin the business for at least five years and it is the best chance of building resilience and greater efficiency into the dairy system.
“Genomics testing is key to a successful herd breeding programme in the long term, providing a lifetime of critical information from a single test for a relatively small cost or investment.”
A genomic test translates an animal’s DNA into practical information that producers can use. It identifies key strengths and weaknesses that can inform management decisions.
Performance data
A recent UK study revealed that up to 50% of a cow’s ability to produce high milk solids is due to genetics. “As both parents contribute equally to the calf’s genetics, having comprehensive performance data on the female is just as essential as the sire for making informed breeding choices,” says Mr Horn.
Some producers still believe that the genomic-testing process is complicated, but this is far from the case.
“The test only requires a simple tissue sample, which can be taken at the same time as calves are ear-tagged, so there is minimal extra work and no new skills are required to collect the sample. Animals only need to be tested once in their lifetime as their genetic potential does not change,” he stresses.
The tissue sample is then sent to a laboratory in Scotland for analysis and results from the test are back on farm in a matter of weeks.
Neogen’s Igenity results are provided in an easy-to-use dashboard, that allows producers to compare and rank the performance of heifers, and access data whenever it is required.
Follow-up visit
“And, when the results are available, there is a followup visit with an adviser to go through them with the producer and their team, to explain what the figures mean and how the data can be used,” says Mr Horn.
The survey suggested the other principal reasons that producers were not engaging fully with genomics were cost and the difficulty of interpreting the data provided. “If it is not possible to easily understand what the data is saying, many producers decide the approach is not for them.”
Another key concern expressed was that many genomic-testing schemes are operated by semen suppliers, linked to exclusive semen supply contracts that can reduce the choice of potential sires.
Mr Horn explains that Neogen, an independent genomics supplier, is focused on solving these challenges so producers can benefit fully from genomic testing.
“We aim to help producers rank cows and heifers according to specific farm objectives, ensuring genomic data delivers maximum value for every herd,” he says.
The company’s genomics platform offers insights into approximately 50 traits, including production factors such as milk yield, milk component yield and percentage, and £PLI, as well as management traits including fertility index, temperament, ease of milking, somatic cell count, locomotion and condition score, plus a full set of type traits.
“This level of detail offers producers real insights into the genomic make-up of their herd but, initially, this can be overwhelming. How do producers use the data to make better decisions?”
He says that data is only valuable if it drives decision-making. If not then there is no return on investment.
“So we offer custom indices tailored to individual farms to simplify breeding decisions.”
The principle behind the custom index is that the traits of particular importance to an individual herd are combined into a simple index. The weighting of the traits in the index can be adjusted to make sure it is identifying the animals that meet individual herd and business objectives.
“Females are then ranked on this single index, providing a simple and tailored way to determine those that are most suited to the particular system.”
Different emphasis
Mr Horn says that different systems will place the emphasis on different traits. “For example, producers supplying on a cheese contract will add greater weighting to protein percentages. And producers looking to put greater emphasis on grazing will possibly look at management traits, such as fertility and mastitis resistance, while also paying close attention to feet and legs and looking for smaller stature. For robotically milked herds, milking speed, teat placement and teat length can be higher priority traits.”
He adds that the customised index can be refined at any time to reflect changing herd circumstances or objectives, either altering the traits selected or their relative weighting. “It allows simple interpretation of genomic data to guide better identification of the most suitable animals to breed from.
“Since the data is fully independent it is possible to then review the females against the entire range of available sires to ensure producers maximise their chance of identifying and selecting the most suitable sire.”
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