TRANSATLANTIC genetics companies and their alleged 'domination' of dairy bloodlines has been called into question by a leading UK dairy organisation.

The subject of genetics and genomics and how breeding based on the figures they produce could be narrowing bloodlines was raised in the British Friesian Breeders Club April newsletter, which stated: "This subject continues to dominate our thinking. The club was set up to ensure the future of our breed in the face of an onslaught of North American Holstein genetics. We have been pleased with the progress made and the support from UK AI companies as they recognised a commercial market.

"However, the effect that years of Index breeding and now, genomic testing, is having on selection, is cause for concern," said the BFBC. "Holstein International recently highlighted the need to out-cross, drawing attention to the latest top g-predicted-index bull with 10 stacks of one successful sire in its pedigree. The importance of bio-diversity for survivability cannot be under-estimated.

"Over-commercialisation of cattle breeding for financial gain through cloning, and fast-forwarding through embryos and gene editing is ultimately unsustainable. It may be thought of as ‘science’ but it is not sound science."

Talking about the consequences of this reliance on figures and the ramifications of this, the newsletter continued: "In the end it is the farmer who pays the price, and our club is very well aware that we need to breed cows fit for purpose for a future of grass-based systems for dairy farming in the UK.

"We now see the influence that a particularly successful sire in our breed has on choice for the next generation. A more imaginative use of outcross within breeds will be needed to preserve those valuable MHC genes (for disease resistance) that provide protection for the future. Your genetics committee is well aware of this."

British Friesian Breeders Club chairman, Adam Lawson, of North Cassingray Farm, Largoward, said he was concerned that the genomics within the breed were getting tighter and tighter, year on year: "AI companies are selling semen based on figures, and that's constantly tightening things up. Our concern is that the genetics coming out on top are based on genomics, so the breed is getting no diversification in the breeding pool. As a club, we would be looking for different options.

"Our view is that, unless we do something, AI companies – whether from at home or from abroad – won't change what they are doing – they're more than happy to sell semen on the back of genomics, but the same bulls are coming out on top all the time.

"The genomics are narrowing down as we go through every generation, so the worry is that in breeding will become a problem," said Mr Lawson. "We do run a genomics committee within the club. We're keen to try and see what can be done, and how we can move forward in a more positive way."