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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323643
Title: Increasing feed efficiency and reducing methane emissions using genomics: An international approach

Author
item BAES, CHRISTINE - University Of Guelph
item CANOVAS, ANGELA - University Of Guelph
item COFFEY, MIKE - Sruc-Scotland'S Rural College
item Connor, Erin
item GODDARD, ELLEN - University Of Alberta
item GREDLER, BIRGIT - Collaborator
item HAILU, GETU - University Of Guelph
item MONTANHOLI, YURI - University Of Guelph
item OSBORNE, VERN - University Of Guelph
item PRYCE, JENNIE - Collaborator
item SARGOLZAEI, MEHDI - University Of Guelph
item SCHENKEL, FLAVIO - University Of Guelph
item WALL, EILEEN - Sruc-Scotland'S Rural College
item WANG, ZHIQUAN - University Of Alberta
item STOTHARD, PAUL - University Of Alberta
item MIGLIOR, FILIPPO - University Of Guelph

Submitted to: Plant and Animal Genome Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/2015
Publication Date: 1/9/2016
Citation: Baes, C., Canovas, A., Coffey, M., Connor, E.E., Goddard, E., Gredler, B., Hailu, G., Montanholi, Y., Osborne, V., Pryce, J., Sargolzaei, M., Schenkel, F., Wall, E., Wang, Z., Stothard, P., Miglior, F. 2016. Increasing feed efficiency and reducing methane emissions using genomics: An international approach. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXIV. January 9-13, 2016. San Diego, CA. Abstract P0512.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genomic technology (including SNP arrays and next-generation sequencing) is a powerful driver for the genetic improvement of livestock. Phenotype recording can now, to an extent, be partitioned from selection, and even limited to several thousand animals. Rapid development of new technologies and precision farming allow for more precise / automatic measurement of existing or new traits. In collaboration with partners from Australia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we present a genomics-based approach to improve feed efficiency and reduce methane emissions in dairy cattle. The foundation of this research is the collection of individual daily feed intake and methane emission data for cows and heifers in Canada, as well as feed efficiency and methane emission data from Australia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States. The ultimate outcome of this major research initiative will be routine genetic evaluation services for feed efficiency and methane emission to allow for genetic selection and improvement of these novel traits. The results of this $10 million project will assist dairy farmers and the dairy industry to breed cattle that are more feed-efficient and produce less methane. The results will allow farmers to save money while increasing the efficiency of dairy production. The project is also expected to reduce the environmental footprint of the dairy industry, in part due to lower methane emissions and reduced land required for feed production.