Future directions by CEO Heather Burrow
Future directions by CEO Heather Burrow - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
| 9 December 2010 |
| Future directions Message from the CEO: 9 December 2010 By Dr Heather Burrow, CEO, Beef CRC Some good news to end yet another, very-rapidly disappearing year! The Beef CRC is well on track to deliver all the ambitious outcomes outlined in our revised Commonwealth Agreement. To continue our work, our current industry and research provider partner organisations unanimously agreed to simultaneously progress two actions aimed at securing ongoing funding for essential research, development, education and extension (RDE&E) in beef genetics and genomics beyond June 2012. The two options were described in detail in a Beef Genetics Discussion Paper, available from the Beef CRC. The options now being progressed are: 1. A Beef CRC Extension bid for submission in the 14th CRC Selection Round, with applications likely to be due in June 2011. Under current CRC guidelines, Beef CRC is eligible to apply for funding for a maximum of five years under exceptional circumstances. We believe Beef CRC can demonstrate such exceptional circumstances, based on the very rapid changes in genomics technologies, which now mean Australia’s beef industry lacks sufficient high quality ‘phenotypes’ (i.e. accurate measurements of all economically important but very hard- or expensive-to-measure traits in cattle) that are essential to validate DNA markers in future and integrate them into our national beef genetic evaluation scheme, BREEDPLAN. At the start of this CRC’s term in 2005, we were very confident we had all the phenotypes we would need for that purpose, as a legacy of the first two Beef CRC terms. But once the bovine genome sequence became available in 2006, it very quickly became apparent that our assumptions were very wrong! On a research level, we responded immediately by entering collaborations with US and Canadian research organisations, to pool our animal phenotypes with the aim of collectively speeding up our gene discovery efforts and increasing industry confidence in the value of DNA markers. But industry (in all countries globally) still needs a mechanism to ensure producers, feedlotters and processors can capture the value from DNA marker technologies, by testing them in independent cattle populations that are representative of their own herds. And that is the critical component missing from our value proposition at the moment! The Australian beef industry has already recognised and responded magnificently to this problem, by giving a strong financial commitment to establish Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) herds that will be used to drive genetic improvement in future. But we now need to work out how best to design, coordinate and implement the mechanisms needed across all sectors of the industry (seedstock and commercial breeders, feedlotters and processors) so industry can use the information to best capture the benefits of genomic selection beyond the term of the CRC extension period. Hence the CRC extension bid will not only include new cutting-edge genomics research, but it will also focus on the best ways that industry can significantly increase the rates of genetic gain across all sectors of the industry. This will mean that, if funded, the Australian beef industry would be placed in an excellent position to capture the full benefits of the ‘genomics revolution’ well into the future. 2. An alternative model that we are calling a ‘DMTC look-alike’ model, which is a collaborative research proposal involving strong cross-sectoral (i.e. across the beef, sheep and dairy industries in Australia) and multi-disciplinary, multi-national collaboration to develop beef-specific genomic applications. Ideally, this model would be underpinned by a government-to-government science agreement between Australia and USA, with others such as Canada and European countries partnering in the concept as third parties. Such a funding model does not currently exist. But if we were able to secure new funding, it is anticipated the model would allow more fundamental genomics R&D initiatives, beyond those identified for inclusion in the CRC extension bid, thereby positioning Australia to retain its current leading position in beef genomics research internationally. To determine what options might exist for such a model, an industry-led approach will be made to various sectors of the government early in 2011, seeking their advice. What is next? A Steering Committee has been formed and is now actively progressing the CRC Extension bid, with workshops planned for early 2011. Feedback is also being sought on the best way of securing good advice to progress the alternative model … all of which guarantees a very busy and exciting time for us in 2011! I would like to very sincerely thank each one of our industry and government stakeholders, our industry and research provider organisations and the CRC Board and staff for their ongoing and dedicated efforts to ensure the Australian beef industry and Australia are the real winners of the significant investments in this Beef CRC. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, a pleasant and well-deserved break over the festive season and all the very best for 2011. |
| Click here to read the Beef CRC’s Draft Genetics Discussion Paper |
