Shorthorn Beef members now have access to a suite of breed-specific genomic tests through Australia's leading DNA testing service, Neogen, and its links direct to the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) analysis system.
Neogen operates Australia's longest running livestock genomics testing facility, which has been based at the based at the University of Queensland since the 1980s and has led the development of new DNA tests specifically designed to assist Australian cattle breeders take their genetic selection decisions to the next level.
The Neogen GGP 50K test identifies the gene markers that have the greatest influence on economically important traits and is ideal for Shorthorn breeders of sale and herd bulls.
"Genomic testing is a proven method of increasing the rate of genetic improvement in your herd, delivering more profitable stock to your business faster," Neogen sales and marketing manager Sarah Buttsworth said.
"Genomic testing allows animal breeders to make more informed decisions and improve the productivity and profitability of their businesses by accessing more precise information earlier in an animal's lifecycle."
Ms Buttsworth said Neogen's GGP 50K test would also ensure that Australian breeders could make the most of Shorthorn Beef's partnerships with IGS in North America, with results from the Neogen system flowing straight into the IGS calculations for estimated progeny differences (EPDs).
Like Shorthorn Beef, Neogen last year entered into a partnership with IGS to ensure the world's leading test provider and the world's largest genetic database were working in sync.
Adoption of the IGS system has allowed Shorthorn Beef to put the Australian Shorthorn population on the same database as the US and Canadian Shorthorn herds, vastly improving the ability to generate accurate EPDs to enhance genetic selection decisions.
"It gives our members a competitive edge and the chance to get ahead of the herd when it comes to genetics," Shorthorn Beef business and promotions manager Graham Winnell said.
"By working with Neogen Australasia, we can assist more Australian breeders to take advantage of the power of genomics and increase our representation on IGS's international genetic database."
To maximise opportunities to benefit from these international relationships, a collaborative agreement has been reached between Shorthorn Beef and Neogen Australasia, called the Moove Program.
The Moove Program is a collaborative research project between Shorthorn Beef and Neogen Australasia with the aim to increase both phenotypic and genotypic data collection across Shorthorn and Shorthorn-cross females in Australia.
