increase font size
The gene mapping service identifies the ancestry of individual stock.
DNA parentage testing is now more accessible to dairy farmers with the launch of CRV Ambreed’s revitalised DNA parentage testing service.
The gene mapping service identifies the ancestry of individual stock.
DNA samples are collected by taking a small piece of tissue from an animal’s ear.
Allflex tissue sampling ear tags are either applied to calves at birth or as buttons on mature animals.
Tissue samples are then sent to CRV’s approved affiliated DNA genotyping laboratory, GenomNZ, where DNA is extracted for parentage and single gene analysis.
CRV Ambreed product development team leader Erin OConnor says DNA verification is inherently free of error when deciding on the best direction for a herd.
Herd records will show exactly who the animal’s sire and dam are through specific genetic markers.
“The farmer will then understand which cows in the herd are the best and which sires they can be mated to,” she says.
Samples analysed also identify the A2/A2 beta casein status of the individual animal and other defect genes.
CRV Ambreed last year trialled DNA testing on 4991 animals on nine farms.
Only 41% of the animals tested as having been recorded with the correct sire.
“The animals with incorrect parentage information also had inaccurate BW, PW and BV information,” OConnor said.
“This information is vital when making onfarm decisions and it would have resulted in misguided mating and culling decisions.
“We updated the sire information for 46% of the animals tested, which completely changed the rankings for BW and PW across the herd. Those farmers can now use that information when making decisions on mating and culling.”
Parentage results are sent by CRV Ambreed to NZ Animal Evaluation which uses the data to identify NZ’s most efficient feed convertors to milk.
“Inaccurate parental data is not only an issue dealt with onfarm; it impacts the wider industry too because accurate ancestry information substantiates breeding values and breeding indexes,” OConnor said.
“Future animal evaluation runs which estimate genetic breeding values and indices used in NZ will be a lot more accurate.”
OConnor says DNA verified animals could fetch higher premiums in saleyards and could influence farmers’ buying and selling decisions.
CRV has produced the first homozygous polled bull to make New Zealand’s prestigious Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list, demonstrating the strides the company is making in breeding top-quality polled bulls.
As Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) resurfaces in Canterbury, CRV is reassuring dairy farmers it has rigorous production processes and health testing programmes in place within its supply chain.
A Canterbury Hereford stud specialising in providing beef genetics for the dairy industry is claiming a major breakthrough in breeding for more environmentally friendly animals, with reduced urinary nitrogen emissions.
Some dairy farmers could be missing out on up to 160 kgMS of production because they are not herd testing.
A strong focus on genetics and DNA has paid dividends for Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw with four of her cows being selected for the LIC breeding programme.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.
