How Genomics is changing Business

and Services of Associations

Dr. Josef Pott, Weser-Ems-Union eG, Germany

Associations

• Member owned and directed

• Purpose: improve the Holstein breed

• Collect and analyze data and provide information and services to members

Business activities of associations

• Core services:‐ Registration‐ Shows‐ Classification

• Other services:‐ Milk recording‐ Genetic evaluation and/or genotyping‐ A. I.

Genomic Selection

- Based on DNA sequences

- Genotyping of large number SNPs on low costs

- Allows tracking the inheritance of short chromosomal segments

- Reference population: SNPs linked to EBVs of progeny proven bulls - - essential: verified parentage, good and complete data

Genomic EBVs

Reliability:parent average < genomic EBVs < progeny proven EBVs

Earlier available=> decreasing the generation interval

Obtain acceptance by validation

gEBV – validation in Germany(S. Rensing, vit 2012)

production, RZMconformation, RZE SCC, RZS Total Performance Index, RZGprogeny

proof gEBV

• 962 validation bulls – December 2010 – no daughter information

• August 2012: at least a second daughter based proof

Use of genomic bulls in Germany

(Jan 2011 – May 2012, Rensing, vit 2012)

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Year-month

inse

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regional differences: 20 % to 75 %

LD-chip• LD-predictions: roughly 95% as accurate as

predictions from the 50 k chip

• Gained popularity due to lower price => testing females

• More accurate and earlier information than parent average - production - conformation - productive life - SCC - calving ease - fertility - inbreeding and genetic defects

Impact of Genomics on:

• classification

• progeny testing

Objectives of classifications

• Improve functional conformation - workability

- resistance to diseases - longer lifetime - natural ability to produce milk• Can enhance the value of an animal

• Type EBVs

Factors influencing the functional conformation/value

of an animal

value

production

conformation

health

fertility

productive life

Reliabilities of parent average and gEBVs

vit 2009parent

average; reliability

%

genomic estimated breeding

value (gEBV) reliability % %

production 35 70

conformation 29 63

health (SCC) 29 65

fertility 24 48

longevity 30 52

gEBVs are of greater value than individual production records or classifications

Genomic testing of females can reduce # of classifications

How will progeny testing be affected?

# young bulls entering AI in Germany (2011) (vit, 2012)

2011 2009diff. %

Holstein 439 823 - 53.3

Red and White

82 131 - 62.6

Total 521 954 - 54.6

- # of progeny groups is decreasing - Total # of inspected daughters is decreasing=> less progeny proven bulls/year in reference population

- - increasing # of daughters/bull (?) – bias!=> classification in representative sample herds

Basic conditions of dairy farming

• Decreasing # of farms

• Increasing herd sizes

• Farmers are: more progressive, less traditional, always short of time

• Growing demand for services

simple, complete solutions

One Source Service

Association

Registration

Classification

Showing

Marketing

Registered Cattle

One Source Service

AI-unit

AI-Service

Association

Registration

Classification

Showing

Marketing

Registered Cattle

Semen

One Source Service

AI-unit

AI-Service

Fertility Service- pregnancy check

Association

Registration

Classification

Showing

Additional Services

Mating-service

Advisory Service- Feeding- housing-milking

Marketing

Registered Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Semen

One Source Service

AI-unit

AI-Service

Fertility Service- pregnancy check

Association

Registration

Classification

Showing

Additional Services

Mating-service

Advisory Service- Feeding- housing-milking

Genomic

Services

Marketing

Registered Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Semen

Genomic services

• Genomic testing (i.e., different types of SNP panels)

• Parent verification/identification

• Replacement management

• Improved mating service

Genomic testing and parent verification

Genomic testing (LD, 50K, HD)• EBVs for all traits• Parent verification

- currently: DNA-micro satellite technology (animal itself + dam + sire required)- in future: SNP technology to confirm parentage for Herdbook validation all potential parents must be tested one sample for – genomic testing

- parentage verification- genetic recessives- coat colour

GENOID – Holstein Canada

• Genomic testing and creating a record in the Herdbook in one step for non registered animals

• Genomic EBVs• AI sires and previously genotyped dams

will be identified• Registration confirmation and gEBVs to

owner

Genomic testing of females;replacement management

• Low costs of genotyping required;to test all heifers is profitable at € 29; attractive at € 15 (Pryce et al. 2012)

• Cost effective in particular- if pedigree information is unavailable (if pedigree information is available pre-sort animals based on pedigree data) Weigel (2011)

- if available heifers exceeding replacement needs (sexed semen)

Genomic testing of females; replacement management

Applications: • Selection among heifer calves or

springing heifers• Mating• Evaluation of elite females• Screening prior to purchase• Manage animals more individually

Improved mating service

• Up to now:based on production, pedigree,physical assessment

• Now: based on genomic EBVs

• Higher reliabilities for all traits

• Avoid inbreeding• Deal adequate with

recessives• Enhance genetic progress

Conclusions

• Genomic selection is widely introduced• gEBVs are gaining acceptance• Decreasing # of bulls entering AI• Female genotyping is getting popular• Threats: less classifications? + less

progeny testing• Opportunities: genomic service