A RESEARCH presentation on the Sequencing the Legends research being undertaken by UQ, DAF and QAAFI opened the eyes of not only Brahman breeders to the opportunities genetic sequencing could offer Australia’s cattle industry.
University of Queensland Professor of Agriculture Ben Hayes said he hoped all breeds would benefit from the in-depth genomic analysis of the Brahman bulls, which has already begun.
“I’m the person that is going to be analysing all the data and converting all the A, C, T and Gs, which is how the genome sequence comes out, into something that is actually useful for beef producers,” he said.
”I’ve actually just been working in the dairy industry, and we have had great success there with a similar project, and my background is actually in beef originally so I’m very keen to apply the same technology to the beef industry.
“I think there’s huge potential there.”
My Hayes said with 50 Brahman bulls already sequenced with the results have already been a surprise and provided insight into the Brahman breed.
“We’ve looked at these 50 sequences already and if you look at how variable they are - so if you line them all up there’s spots in the genome where they differ - there’s millions of these sites,” he said.
“It turns out Brahman cattle are much more variable than any other breed I’ve looked at.
“They have more genetic variation than humans - that’s great for the Brahman breed - it means there’s lots of genetic material to work with.”
Mr Hayes said there was no telling what similar research for other breeds could show, and he said the research presentation day, held in Rockhampton last week, was an opportunity for all beef producers to come and learn about the technology.
“I hope they (producers) get enthusiastic about the project, I think a lot of them already are, hopefully they’ll get an understanding of how the technology is going to deliver to provide DNA tests for traits like fertility,” he said.
The researchers are currently looking at the next step of the project, which involves choosing the ultimate legend – a Brahman bull or prodigy of a Brahman bull who has contributed a lot of genetic material to the current Queensland Brahmans.
The bull will become the new basis for comparison of genomes in Australia.
Semen (pellets, ampoules and straws) from Brahman sires from the 1950s until 2012 have been sequenced.
Mr Hayes said the research will provide a new building block for all genomic cattle research in Australia, and said while Brahman was the breed chosen for the project, all breeds would benefit from the findings.
Kelly Butterworth
Rockhampton-based journalist covering all things ag.
Rockhampton-based journalist covering all things ag.
