11 August 2009
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 Rebuilding the trust that beef producers have in DNA technology is a key priority for the Beef CRC’s new Chief Operating Officer for Commercialisation.
With a background in commercialising human health and animal science products, Ms Meibusch is under no illusion about the task ahead of her.
“Producers want to know the money they spend on the technology today will help them make a greater profit tomorrow,” said Ms Meibusch.
While there has been some controversy surrounding the sale and use of DNA markers over the past year or so, Ms Meibusch said it is important to remember the technology is still in its infancy.
“The sequencing of the entire cattle genome in 2006, combined with a reduction in the cost of genotyping, means that scientists can now put together larger DNA marker panels that have the potential to explain reasonable amounts of genetic and phenotypic variation,” she said.
“If the science meets expectations, DNA markers will potentially help the Australian beef industry remain competitive in the global environment.”
“Our hope is that in the future we will routinely integrate DNA marker information into genetic evaluation systems like BREEDPLAN as well as using DNA to draft and manage animals,” Ms Meibusch said.
Ms Meibusch has extensive experience in the beef industry at both a grass roots and a business level, being actively involved in the stud beef industry in Australia and the USA.
After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland, Ms Meibusch undertook her Masters at Cornell University in the United States examining ways to incorporate DNA markers for meat quality into established breeding systems.
She has held commercial roles at an animal genomics company, Pyxis Genomics in Chicago and more recently headed up business development at the publicly-listed Australian anti-cancer biotech company Progen Pharmaceuticals.
Dr Heather Burrow, Beef CRC CEO is delighted to have attracted Sarah back to the agricultural sector.
“Sarah’s wealth of international business development experience will help Beef CRC enormously in meeting its commercialisation goals,” Dr Burrow said.
Sarah Meibusch said it’s fabulous to have the opportunity to move back into the beef industry, especially when it is on the cusp of so many exciting new developments.
“Every Beef CRC project, from the development of a tick vaccine to reducing methane, aims to improve the sustainability of the beef industry.
If we can help another generation of producers stay on the land then we’ve done our job,” Ms Meibusch said.
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For further information, contact Alison Betts, Communications Manager, (02) 6773 3795 or 0439 405 077
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