A CHANGE in the DNA testing procedures of the Charolais Cattle Society, will take place from July 1, 2018 to benefit its members and the industry as a whole.

With advancements in technology and a greater need for farmer efficiencies and improved

breeding, the society is embracing single nucleotide pholymorphism (SNP) testing. This is a much more comprehensive test than the outdated microsatellite testing, according to society chairman, Chris Curry.

“Technology has advanced so much since we started DNA testing using hair samples nearly 20 years ago. At the same time as changing to SNP testing, we are introducing female testing and including myostatin – a gene that influences the production of proteins which control muscle

development or double muscling – analysis which will help to provide breeders with vital information to improve their herd.”

The SNP chip, which the hair, tissue or semen samples are tested on, produces 50,000 gene

markers and for the purposes of parentage analysis, more than 200 are used. In comparison, the

microsatellite testing produces a 16-marker profile for each animal which can only be used

to determine if the parentage is correct.

The additional markers produced by the SNP profile can be used to discover a wealth of other information, not only to determine if the animal has myostatin or polled genes, but future advances will enable many more tests to be carried out from this one profile.

One such advance being developed is determining which genes govern TB resistance. Other advantages include being able to predict more accurately carcase quality and meat yield.

“SNP technology has been used by Weatherbys Scientific since 2010 and will be a valued addition to the animal data already available to our members. It will provide additional details to enable them to make more informed breeding decisions for their herd," added Mr Curry.

“Knowing the myostatin status of your animals will help in the selection of bulls with the most

appropriate myostatin traits for an individual breeding programme. This will lead to even better calving ease and help with the ever-present trend to improve carcase confirmation and quality. “Once we have established a myostatin database, the results will be displayed with the other animal details on an individual's online database, on pedigree certificates and in sale catalogues.

“Better selection processes will result in more efficient and market desirable animals and lead to higher demand for Charolais bulls from commercial producers.”

The Charolais Society is investing more than £30,000 in the first year to create a database of SNP profiles for animals which have been previously microsatellite tested, so that we have a base of profiles to carry on and sire verify all the animals DNA tested.