Japie van der WesthuizenJapie van der WesthuizenSA Stud BookSA Stud Book

obtain a financial advantage or benefitThe surplus remaining after total costs are

deducted from total revenue

money that is made in a business, after all the costs and expenses are paid

the bottom line

All of the biggest technological inventions created by man All of the biggest technological inventions created by man --the airplane, the automobile, the computer the airplane, the automobile, the computer -- says little about says little about his intelligence, but speaks volumes about his laziness. his intelligence, but speaks volumes about his laziness.

Mark Kennedy Mark Kennedy It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.Albert Einstein

We've arranged a civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology.Carl Sagan

I just invent, then wait until man comes around to needing what I've invented.R. Buckminster Fuller

The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.Edward Teller

the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

The purposeful application of information in the design, production, and utilization of goods and services, and in the organization of human activities.

technology is science or knowledge put into practical use to solve

problems or invent useful tools.

(the study and knowledge of) the practical use of scientific discoveries

1.1. Mobile phoneMobile phone2.2. Space explorationSpace exploration3.3. Magnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imaging4.4. World wide webWorld wide web5.5. Global optic Global optic fibrefibre networknetwork6.6. Error correcting codesError correcting codes7.7. LasersLasers8.8. Public key encryptionPublic key encryption9.9. Green chemistryGreen chemistry10.10. The microprocessorThe microprocessor

19981998——GENETIC SEQUENCINGGENETIC SEQUENCINGScientist Craig Venter announces that his company Scientist Craig Venter announces that his company will sequence the entire human genome in just will sequence the entire human genome in just three years and for only $300 millionthree years and for only $300 million——12 years and 12 years and $2 billion less than a federally funded project $2 billion less than a federally funded project established to do the same thing. Venter uses a established to do the same thing. Venter uses a method called "shotgun sequencing" to make method called "shotgun sequencing" to make automated gene sequencers, instead of relying on automated gene sequencers, instead of relying on the laborious approach used by the government the laborious approach used by the government program. The result is an acrimonious race to the program. The result is an acrimonious race to the finish, which ends in a tie. Both groups announce finish, which ends in a tie. Both groups announce the completion of the human genome sequence in the completion of the human genome sequence in papers published in 2001.papers published in 2001.

Whole genome sequencing (10X) in the order Whole genome sequencing (10X) in the order of R40 000 and in less than one weekof R40 000 and in less than one week

SNP genome profiles @ less than R2 000, SNP genome profiles @ less than R2 000, even in fairy dense formats (150 000 base even in fairy dense formats (150 000 base pairs).pairs).

GENETIC ENGINEERINGGENETIC ENGINEERING Produces insulin, Produces insulin, creates vaccines, clones sheep (and other creates vaccines, clones sheep (and other species), increases shelf life of tomatoes, species), increases shelf life of tomatoes, manipulates human cells to prevent disease, manipulates human cells to prevent disease, etc.etc.

Nutrition & FeedNutrition & Feed◦◦ Evaluation and analysis methodologiesEvaluation and analysis methodologies◦◦ Ruminant and post rumen digestibility and feed Ruminant and post rumen digestibility and feed

utilizationutilization◦◦ Harvesting techniques and treatment of feedHarvesting techniques and treatment of feed◦◦ Micro minerals and amino acid utilizationMicro minerals and amino acid utilization◦◦ Utilization of microUtilization of micro--organisms in feed qualityorganisms in feed quality◦◦ Automated intake recording & controlAutomated intake recording & control

Physiology & HealthPhysiology & Health◦◦ Rumen fermentationRumen fermentation◦◦ Hormonal control of reproduction cyclesHormonal control of reproduction cycles◦◦ Next level immune boosting & inoculationNext level immune boosting & inoculation◦◦ Product quality enhancementProduct quality enhancement◦◦ Fatty acid and amino acid manipulation Fatty acid and amino acid manipulation ◦◦ Organism specific treatmentOrganism specific treatment◦◦ Embryo, sperm & cloning technologiesEmbryo, sperm & cloning technologies◦◦ Automated product recordingAutomated product recording

Breeding & GeneticsBreeding & Genetics◦◦ Computing power and Data base explorationComputing power and Data base exploration◦◦ Algorithm developmentsAlgorithm developments◦◦ Integrating economics with genetic merit in genetic Integrating economics with genetic merit in genetic

merit predictionsmerit predictions◦◦ Integrating quantitative and molecular geneticsIntegrating quantitative and molecular genetics◦◦ Genome projects & whole genome sequencingGenome projects & whole genome sequencing◦◦ Application of bead chip technologies in next Application of bead chip technologies in next

generation genetic merit predictionsgeneration genetic merit predictions◦◦ Automated recording Automated recording ––intake, product propertiesintake, product properties

Molecular genetic technologies Molecular genetic technologies in in combination with breeding value (genetic combination with breeding value (genetic merit) predictionsmerit) predictions

Selection indicesSelection indices, linking genetic merit with , linking genetic merit with economic factorseconomic factors

Real time ultra Real time ultra scanningscanning as a predictor of as a predictor of carcass propertiescarcass properties

Technology 1Technology 1

Known that:Known that:◦◦ Related animals share parts of the same Related animals share parts of the same

chromosomes (and therefore the same genes)chromosomes (and therefore the same genes)◦◦ Inheritance or transfer of chromosome pieces Inheritance or transfer of chromosome pieces

(genes) in a random fashion(genes) in a random fashion◦◦ Genetic merit of progeny depend onGenetic merit of progeny depend on Genetic merit of parentsGenetic merit of parents Random sample of chromosome pieces (genes) from Random sample of chromosome pieces (genes) from

parentsparents

BLUP based on:BLUP based on:◦◦ Average relationships among animals (family Average relationships among animals (family

members)members)◦◦ Deviation in measurements (performance) within Deviation in measurements (performance) within

contemporary (test) groupscontemporary (test) groups◦◦ Proportion of measurement differences Proportion of measurement differences

transferrable to offspring (heritability)transferrable to offspring (heritability)

At selection age At selection age no progeny no progeny yetyet◦◦ Can not compare progeny performance to othersCan not compare progeny performance to others

Some traits are Some traits are sex limitedsex limited Some traits can only be Some traits can only be recorded late in liferecorded late in life Traits are (genetically) Traits are (genetically) correlatedcorrelated to othersto others Own recording Own recording notnot a very a very accurate reflection accurate reflection

of genetic merit relative to the breedof genetic merit relative to the breed Performance in some traits under Performance in some traits under maternalmaternal

influenceinfluence Traits Traits not measurable not measurable on on livelive animalsanimals

Mating of parents

Birth

Weaning

Post Wean

Growth Test

-9 0 12 24 36 48 60 72 81

Sold/Mated

1stProgeny born

1stProgeny weaned

88

1st Daughters give birth

1st Daughters wean calves

Age in months

Indirect contribution towards prediction accuracy for growth and milk

Direct contribution towards prediction accuracy growth to weaning indirect for milk

Direct contribution towards prediction accuracy for growth and milk

Mid ParentGrowth & Milk

Gen correlati

onboth

Added Gen correlations both, direct value only growth

Progeny performance growth, added genetic correlations growth and milk

1stDirect value for bull’s daughters’

milk

GENOME TEST

Pedigree & measurement:

Accuracy = 30%

Pedigree & measurement:

Accuracy = 30%

+ SNPs:Accuracy = 60%

+ SNPs:Accuracy = 60%

+ ProgenyAccuracy > 90%

+ ProgenyAccuracy > 90%

Genomic BLUP predictionGenomic BLUP prediction

Pedigree & measurement:

Accuracy = 30%

Pedigree & measurement:

Accuracy = 30%

+ Progeny:Accuracy = 60%

+ Progeny:Accuracy = 60%

Current BLUP predictionCurrent BLUP prediction

Age (Years)

Relia

bilit

y o

f pre

dict

ion

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

00.

20.

40.

60.

81.

0

DGV

EBV

GEBV

1stcr

op d

augh

ters

2nd

crop

dau

ghte

rs

The major advantage of genome based breeding The major advantage of genome based breeding values is for values is for young bulls without measured young bulls without measured progeny (that can not be recorded on the bull)progeny (that can not be recorded on the bull). .

Many traits of economic importance in beef cattle Many traits of economic importance in beef cattle are either sex limited, can only be verified at a are either sex limited, can only be verified at a late age or can only be measured on the carcass. late age or can only be measured on the carcass.

Examples: Milk production contribution to birth Examples: Milk production contribution to birth and weaning weight, Calving Ease, Female and weaning weight, Calving Ease, Female Fertility, Productive herd life, Progeny retention, Fertility, Productive herd life, Progeny retention, Carcase and Meat characteristics.Carcase and Meat characteristics.

1.1. Initial input: Initial input: ◦◦ A proper reference population, per breedA proper reference population, per breed◦◦ Locally bred bulls that only impacted locally part of a locally Locally bred bulls that only impacted locally part of a locally

financed program financed program ◦◦ Joining international body Joining international body -- exchange genome information of exchange genome information of

international bullsinternational bulls◦◦ Adaptation of local genetic evaluation to accommodate genome Adaptation of local genetic evaluation to accommodate genome

informationinformation2.2. Set up a science based and reliable service to the industry Set up a science based and reliable service to the industry

for GEBVs for young animals.for GEBVs for young animals.3.3. System as a continuous source of genome information System as a continuous source of genome information

validated against breeding value predictions.validated against breeding value predictions.4.4. Obtain maximum number of phenotypic records through Obtain maximum number of phenotypic records through

active participation in recordingactive participation in recording..5.5. All genetic merit predictions incorporated in the bioAll genetic merit predictions incorporated in the bio--

economically based selection indices.economically based selection indices.

Genetic Merit of

Each Animal

Population Mean

Progeny Mean

Difference

Comparing each animal’s PROGENY

PERFORMANCE relative to the

population (breed)

Progeny Performance

BREED Performance

EBVs of PARENTS

Expected spread of EBVs

of PROGENY

Exact EBV from BLUP when no recordings

from progeny (eg. too young or sex limited

trait)

Direct Genomic Value (DGV) relate the animal at DNA level to others with similar genomic

building blocksGEBV (Genomic EBV) combine EBV and DGV

according to information accuracy of

both

Quest of each animal breeder:Quest of each animal breeder:Reach the set breeding goals as efficiently and Reach the set breeding goals as efficiently and as cheap as possible. as cheap as possible. Breeding goals are usually formulated based on Breeding goals are usually formulated based on those traits and properties that will ensure long those traits and properties that will ensure long term profitability.term profitability.

Technology 2Technology 2

GOALReturn on investment

GOALReturn on investment

• Environmental constraints

• Market needs• Recordability of

traits• Payment systems• Risk factors• Other constraints

• Labour• Infrastructure• Other

• Environmental constraints

• Market needs• Recordability of

traits• Payment systems• Risk factors• Other constraints

• Labour• Infrastructure• Other

What makes a beef cow more profitableWhat makes a beef cow more profitable◦◦ Early calving in seasonEarly calving in season◦◦ Regular calvingRegular calving◦◦ Easy calvingEasy calving◦◦ MilkMilk◦◦ Progeny growth rateProgeny growth rate◦◦ Low maintenanceLow maintenance

Logix Cow Value

(profit per Ha)

Cow ValueRecorded Income

Top 25% R911K

25% above average R974K

25% below average R1 026K

Bottom 25% R1 037K

Herd 1:Top female fertilityHigh wean, heavy birth weights

Herd 2:Medium framed animalsMilk low

Herd 3: Bigger framed animals Herd 4: Medium framed, lower fertility

Stars Logix cow value Average Breeding Values:

Rand per HaProfit per Ha with each half star improvement

4½ R58.70 4 R46.86

3½ R34.85 3 R25.32

2½ R13.07 2 R2.02

1½ -R9.68 R11.07

R11.05

R12.25

R9.35

R12.01

R11.84

R22.

75

R44.

66

2 -> 4

1½ -> 2 ½

More profitable (R/Ha)Less profitable (R/Ha)

StarCow herd

Environment 1 Environment 2

StarCow herd

LOWER PRO

FIT ENVIRONM

ENT

Mate with star bulls

Environmental effect on profitability

HIGER PROFIT

ENVIRONMENT

More profitable (R/Ha)Less profitable (R/Ha)

StarCow herd

Environment 1 Environment 2

R22.50 difference

StarCow herd StarCow herd

R22.50 difference

StarCow herd

Progeny of star bulls

LOWER PRO

FIT ENVIRONM

ENT

Environmental effect on profitability

HIGHER PROFIT ENVIRONM

ENT

Technology 3Technology 3

Eye Muscle(carcass)

RTU Image

Marbling

Subcutaneous fat

Eye Muscle(carcass)

RTU Image

Eye musclearea

Live potential breeding animalsLive potential breeding animals Groups of yearling to 18 months old bulls Groups of yearling to 18 months old bulls

after a high energy, postafter a high energy, post--weaning ration weaning ration Enough variation to ensure correct rankingEnough variation to ensure correct ranking Growing heifers might also be measuredGrowing heifers might also be measured Contemporary group structure definedContemporary group structure defined

Marbling % Muscle yield Tenderness

y = 0.6006x + 1.708R2 = 0.606

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Rib Fat

Mar

blin

g

1 mm

0.6 %

SubcutaneousFat

440 kilogram

Live Animal weight

Carcass weight

252 kilogram

Dressing%(57%)

152 kilogram Muscle weight

Kilogram predicted red meat

CRM% =

61%

Muscle % =

35%

Draw direct lines to profitabilityDraw direct lines to profitability No compromise to objective recordingNo compromise to objective recording Start with breeding objective and goalsStart with breeding objective and goals Optimise mating plansOptimise mating plans Use all the relevant aids availableUse all the relevant aids available Can still keep it simpleCan still keep it simple

Japie van der WesthuizenJapie van der Westhuizenjapie@studbook.co.zajapie@studbook.co.za