Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #132501
Title: ALTERNATIVE PARADIGMS FOR GENETIC TESTING IN BEEF CATTLE BREEDING

Author
item Thallman, Richard - Mark

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/29/2001
Publication Date: 10/12/2001
Citation: Thallman, R.M. 2001. Alternative paradigms for genetic testing in beef cattle breeding. Proceedings NCR-199 Meeting. 13 pp. Ithaca, New York.

Interpretive Summary: DNA tests for economically important traits in beef cattle are becoming commercially available. A vision of the future of DNA testing in beef cattle is presented. Advantages and disadvantages of several classes of DNA tests (linked markers, linkage disequilibrium tests, and direct tests) are discussed. Information from DNA testing should be analyzed simultaneously with phenotypes as part of the existing national cattle evaluation (NCE) system. Various statistical models for DNA test data are compared. A number of questions concerning the implementation of DNA testing are addressed. Information that breeders should collect about genetic tests before using them is described along with suggestions for providing this information in a consistent format. A system for obtaining independent evaluations of commercially available genetic tests would enable breeders to make better decisions regarding their use of DNA testing.

Technical Abstract: DNA tests for economically important traits in beef cattle are becoming commercially available. A vision of the future of DNA testing in beef cattle is presented. Advantages and disadvantages of several classes of DNA tests (linked markers, linkage disequilibrium tests, and direct tests) are discussed. Information from DNA testing should be analyzed simultaneously with phenotypes as part of the existing national cattle evaluation (NCE) system. Various statistical models for DNA test data are compared. A number of questions concerning the implementation of DNA testing are addressed. Information that breeders should collect about genetic tests before using them is described along with suggestions for providing this information in a consistent format. A system for obtaining independent evaluations of commercially available genetic tests would enable breeders to make better decisions regarding their use of DNA testing.