- Release Date: 01/05/13 12:40
- Summary: GENERAL: LIC: LIC discovers small calf gene
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LIC 01/05/2013 10:40 GENERAL REL: 1040 HRS Livestock Improvement Corporation Limited (NS) GENERAL: LIC: LIC discovers small calf gene Use of DNA sequence technology by farmer cooperative Livestock Improvement (LIC) has led to the discovery of a recessive small calf gene - opening the door to managing Small Calf Syndrome out of the dairy industry. David Hemara, Acting CEO of LIC, said "This is an important discovery. Identifying the gene means we can start managing a problem which has existed on farms for decades." The Small Calf Syndrome affects predominantly Holstein Friesian and a lesser number of crossbred animals. Incidence of the Syndrome has been assessed to be around one to two affected calves in the average 400 cow New Zealand herd per year. David Hemara said that LIC's large genetics database and ongoing research programme enabled the Cooperative to "go back 30 years screening the DNA of our bulls, and beyond that through pedigree records. That research suggests the genetic variation existed in the early 1960s and possibly before then. We can't be sure of when or where it started." David Hemara said LIC understands that the gene's discovery will be of interest to dairy farmers with Holstein Friesian or crossbred animals. "Our programme of gene discovery and DNA sequencing is improving our ability to isolate negative genes. This is a good thing for the dairy industry." Eradicating the genetic variation from the national herd is a priority for genetics companies and CRV Ambreed CEO, Angus Haslett, emphasised the discovery's importance "to all New Zealand breeding companies and farmers. "Over the years a number of genetic variations have been discovered and managed out of the industry and this will be no different. CRV Ambreed will work with LIC to manage this genetic variation so its impact is minimised on New Zealand farms in the future." David Hemara said "This is the latest in a range of genetic variations which have been discovered, and largely eliminated, over the years. Diseases like CVM and BLAD used to be present in New Zealand herds but their incidence has been reduced thanks to their discovery and managed removal from the national herd. Ends End CA:00235722 For:LIC Type:GENERAL Time:2013-05-01 10:40:48
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