Location: Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory
Title: An international effort to improve feed efficiency and reduce methane emissions in dairy cows through genomics Author![]() |
Wilson, A.m. - University Of Guelph |
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Butty, A.m. - University Of Guelph |
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Baes, Christine - University Of Guelph |
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Canovas, A - University Of Guelph |
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Coffey, Mike - Sruc-Scotland'S Rural College |
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Connor, Erin |
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De Pauw, Mary - University Of Alberta |
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Gredler, B - Collaborator |
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Goddard, E - University Of Alberta |
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Hailu, G - University Of Guelph |
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Osborne, V - University Of Guelph |
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Pryce, Jenny - Collaborator |
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Sargolzaei, M - Semex Alliance |
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Schenkel, F.s. - University Of Guelph |
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Stothard, Paul - University Of Alberta |
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Wall, Eileen - Sruc-Scotland'S Rural College |
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Wang, Z - University Of Alberta |
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Wright, T.c. - University Of Guelph |
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Miglior, Flippo - Canadian Dairy Network |
Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2016 Publication Date: 7/11/2016 Citation: Wilson, A., Butty, A., Baes, C., Canovas, A., Coffey, M.P., Connor, E.E., De Pauw, M., Gredler, B., Goddard, E., Hailu, G., Osborne, V.R., Pryce, J.E., Sargolzaei, M., Schenkel, F., Stothard, P., Wall, E., Wang, Z., Wright, T., Miglior, F. 2016. An international effort to improve feed efficiency and reduce methane emissions in dairy cows through genomics. Journal of Dairy Science. 99(E. Suppl.1):149. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Increasing international demand for high quality dairy and meat products as well as greater awareness of climate change has put pressure on the livestock industry to deliver quality products while reducing its environmental impact. Enteric methane from cattle is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and is a target of reduction through improving cow feed efficiency (FE) and reducing methane emissions (ME). The overall goal of this project is to produce genomic predictions for FE and ME that are ready for breeding application in the dairy cattle industry. Breeding for improved FE and less methane emitted will lower feed costs and reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. Collecting phenotypes required for genetic improvement is presently very difficult and expensive, and to date, there has been limited to no direct selection for these traits in dairy cattle breeding. Recent genomic approaches provide the opportunity to finally select for these traits, but require a large reference population with accurate phenotypes. Data of individual feed intake and ME are being collected from dairy cows and heifers, and whole DNA (Genome) and RNA (Transcriptome) sequence information will be used to identify new markers or mutations that influence the traits. The expanded Canadian database will be combined with international data from the United States, UK, Australia and Switzerland to create the world’s first database to routinely validate genomic predictions for FE and ME. Milk spectral records will also be used to further develop predictions of FE and ME. In addition, research will be conducted to analyze the economic, environmental and social costs and benefits of the two traits, as well as the economic and social factors affecting the adoption of the technology at farm, industry and national levels. |