Top Brahman sire adds Aussie flavour to cow genome
Top Brahman sire adds Aussie flavour to cow genome - Beef CRC - Beef Genetic Technologies
 The unique DNA of a popular Australian Brahman bull will soon be added to the international cow genome databank.Beef CRC CEO Dr Heather Burrow said the Beef CRC, in partnership with CSIRO Livestock Industries and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, had now completed sequencing of the Brahman genome, along with the genomes of an Africander and Tuli bull. It is the first time Australian cattle adapted for tropical conditions have been sequenced, and the information will be included in new generation DNA markers that producers can use to identify important production traits in animals. “It’s critical Australian producers can use DNA markers that incorporate the genetic variation that occurs in tropically adapted cattle – over half of Australia’s beef production is based in the tropics,” Dr Burrow said. “To date, most of the data used to make DNA markers have been based on breeds which are suited to a temperate climate.” But the Beef CRC project identified over four million DNA variants unique to the Australian Brahman genome, demonstrating the variation that can occur across breeds. CSIRO Livestock Industries’ senior principal research scientist Dr Bill Barendse, a pioneer in the identification of new gene markers for economically important traits of cattle, said the project would help geneticists determine what “makes a Brahman a Brahman”. “The Brahman bull we sequenced was chosen because he has been widely used in Australia and it will ensure that Northern Australian cattle variation is captured in future selection tools,” Dr Barendse said. Brahman and Brahman-cross cattle comprise over half of Australian beef cattle population. Brahmans were introduced to Australia in the early 1930s and proved well suited to the harsh climate and pests of the northern Australian rangelands. Over the past 40 years, Brahmans are estimated to have contributed over $10 billion to the Australian beef industry. But Brahman and other tropically adapted cattle are not as significant for the beef production systems of other developed countries. Dr Burrow said the sequencing of the Australian Brahman bull’s genome, along with sequencing of the Tuli and Africander breeds, was particularly important for Australian production. The inclusion of information about the DNA of these animals will ensure producers can be confident of using the new-style DNA marker ‘super chips’ that are being developed, to work in Australian systems. Please click for more information on the Brahman Genome Project. |
| For further information, contact Margaret Puls, Acting Communications Manager, 0419 578 356 |
