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Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

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By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal

Angus Announces New Lower Price, Development of Angus-Specific DNA Test

Allen Moczygemba, CEO of American Angus Association announced in a memo Monday August 14, 2017 that the price for Neogen GGP-LD and Zoetis i50K tests would be reduced to $37, effective immediately.

The motivation for this price reduction is even more notable. In November of 2017 Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and Neogen will launch a new genomic test (SNP panel) called AngusGS™. This test will use 50,000 (50K) DNA variants, designed specifically for Angus cattle. DNA variants are included based on their frequency in the Angus breed, rather than across many breeds like most DNA panels currently used in the industry.

Further, AGI has increased the number of DNA markers in stretches of DNA believed to be involved in fertility, feed efficiency and tenderness. The more detailed genotyping of these chromosome segments will enable more refined research of these important traits.

For example, AGI could include increased markers in regions believed to harbor embryonic lethal DNA variants. An embryonic lethal is a DNA variant that when an embryo inherits two copies (one from the sire and one from the dam) the embryo is aborted, usually early on (less than 45 days after conception). In an analysis of about 4,000 Angus cattle, researchers at the University of Missouri found evidence for 7 embryonic lethal haplotypes in Angus (haplotypes are DNA variants close together that are inherited in a unit or a pattern). With 300,000 animals genotyped within the AGI database, AGI scientist have the ability to repeat and expand this analysis. The dairy industry has been using these haplotype tests for several years.

Dr. Stewart Bauck, Neogen vice president of agrigenomics, stated, "This project was a real collaboration, leveraging the resources and insight of AGI with the expertise of Neogen in chip design and processing, along with input from key external scientists so that the final product is an important step forward in Angus breeding and genetics." Bauck continued, "The novel tool, coupled with low cost pricing puts access to the technology within the grasp of every producer and removes barriers to broad scale genomic testing, not just for sales bulls and herd sires, but replacement heifers as well.  Broad scale testing, along with good phenotype measurement, coupled with the move to the new one-step program for the genetic evaluation, positions AGI, the American Angus Association and Angus breeders everywhere to continue to prepare the breed to meet demands for beef production in the 21st century."

The motivation behind an Angus-specific genomic test is that if we get the right DNA variants in the test, the genomic prediction performs better. More is not better. It is about getting the right 50,000 DNA variants.

50,000 DNA markers, a magic number?

We often hear discussions about 50K this or 50K that. Is 50,000 DNA variants some sort of magic number? No and Yes.

The number 50,000 is not magically. The technology frequently used for DNA marker testing (genotyping) easily fits about 50,000 to 60,000 DNA markers. The first genomic panel widely used for genomic selection included 54,000 DNA variants. This panel, released in 2008, was created by Illumina, the USDA, the University of Missouri and the University of Alberta and was called the Illumina BovineSNP50. In the last nine years, while the space available on the chips has not vastly increased, the prices have gone from $150 to $37.

However, 50,000 DNA variants is an important level to reach. We need between 20,000 and 50,000 DNA variants to accurately describe the variation and relationships within a breed of cattle.

Response from competitors

Will we see a response from competitors?

First, Zoetis has already matched the new price point for Angus genomic-enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs) set by Neogen. Dr. Jason Osterstock, Executive Director and Head of Global Genetics at Zoetis, commented, "Zoetis is pleased to be able to increase the value of i50K and GeneMax Advantage to producers, just in time for the Fall season." (The GeneMax Advantage test now sells for $28.)

Zoetis in many regards has already been offering Angus-specific products. The Zoetis HD50K was designed for Angus cattle, by adding additional content to the BovineSNP50. The i50K is a subset of the HD50K designed as a more cost effective panel. Osterstock added, "Zoetis has been the primary source of genomic predictions for the Angus breed globally for many years, and have been incorporating Angus-specific content to maximize imputation accuracy in low density tests for quite some time. With the introduction of single-step genetic evaluations, we are excited to have the opportunity to allocate our resources and expertise from building calibrations to creating products with even greater value to producers." (The switch to single-step no longer requires recalibrations, which were conducted by scientists at Zoetis.)

Further, will other breed associations be able to decrease the price point for their GE-EPDs?

In the beef industry, we often talk about heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, being the only free lunch. In my opinion, genomics has brought us a new free lunch—imputation. Imputation is the process of using tested DNA markers to infer the genotypes at DNA markers that were not tested. In other words, fill in missing data based on patterns in the observed data. DNA variants are inherited on strings of DNA (chromosomes) they are inherited in units (haplotypes). These haplotypes create patterns in the DNA genotype data. We can use these patterns to infer the genotypes at untested DNA markers.

Imputation means we can buy a test with 20,000 DNA variants and get the same amount of information as buying a test with 50,000 DNA variants. This is how the Zoetis i50K and the HD50K work together. Variants from the i50K are used to impute DNA variants that are on the HD50K (but not included on the i50K).

Last fall, Neogen launched a new product called the GeneSeek® Genomic Profiler™ Ultra-Low Density (GGP uLD). This product was designed to increase imputation accuracy while decreasing the price of the assay. This assay would be a viable option for breed associations looking to decrease the price of their genomic testing. The GGP-uLD is an available solution for decreased GE-EPD cost for many breed associations.

The other option for decreased genotyping costs is to buy DNA tests in bulk. The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) bought 1 million DNA tests during a single purchase. This allows ICBF to sell DNA tests to producers for €22/head (~$26/head). They began the program in 2015, and in April of 2017, they had genotyped over 1 million cattle.

Wrap Up

It is an exciting time to be a part of beef cattle breeding! We are reaching a critical mass of data that allows us to create new products and implement new approaches.

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