Animal breeders emphasize genetics' significance in boosting animal productivity, and preserving diverse animal germplasm is vital for economic sustainability and food security. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Animal Germplasm Program has collected and preserved over a million samples from 64,000 animals to maintain genetic diversity.
The program has released around 11,000 samples to breeders, researchers, and the animal industry for molecular studies, helping address livestock-industry challenges. Recently, a South Dakota beef cattle producer used older genetic resources from the repository to improve his Angus cow herd, resulting in excellent performance levels and high market demand.
Researchers are studying the underlying genomic differences between progeny from older bulls and the current Angus population, aiming to understand the basis for better performance levels. Similar positive effects were observed in Holstein populations when older germplasm samples were used, indicating the value of the collection in broadening genetic diversity and improving animal performance.
Despite the belief that large cattle breeds have no diversity issues, the examples above prove the opposite, highlighting the need for continued research in understanding the genetic basis for livestock performance.
Preserving genetic diversity through initiatives like the National Animal Germplasm Program is crucial for ensuring a sustainable and productive future for the livestock industry
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Categories: South Dakota, Livestock