DNA Markers for Feed Efficiency, Tenderness, and Quality Grade

        GENESTAR FEED EFFICIENCY INFORMATION:

        Producers in every sector of the cattle industry are facing rising costs, but none that impact the bottom line more than the cost of feed.  To maintain profitability, producers must be able to identify genetic lines that provide the most feed efficient animals possible.

       Bovigen is addressing this ever increasing need with a true technological breakthrough, the industry's first and only DNA test that can identify an animal's genetic ability to efficiently convert feed.

        GeneSTAR Feed Efficiency consists of four markers which together identify as much as 15% difference in daily feed consumption with no effect on other traits like Average Daily Gain, Carcass Weight, Quality Grade or Yield Grade.

        Producers can use the GeneSTAR Feed Efficiency test to identify up to a $50 difference in feed cost between animals when ration costs are at $165/ton.

        The GeneSTAR Feed Efficiency Panel is based on discovery and validation work on thousands of cattle utilizing the trait of Net Feed Intake, sometimes also called residual feed intake or net feed efficiency.

       ***There is so much more information on the new Feed Efficiency Markers, we suggest that you follow this link to the Bovigen website to read more about it.  Bovigen Feed Efficiency  

GENESTAR TENDERNESS INFORMATION:

GeneSTAR Tenderness was the first multi-marker single trait test commercially available to the beef industry.  In its current form, it combines three markers from two different and independent genes.

GeneSTAR Tenderness identifies animals that are more likely to produce tender cuts of beef.  GeneSTAR Tenderness is a DNA marker test for two important genes, Calpastation and Calpain, involved in the postmortem tenderization process of beef.  Animals carrying the favorable forms of the genes have been found to significantly reduce the proportion of tough eating experiences.  The impact of these two genes on tenderness has been well documented for quite some time.  However, through the use of DNA tests first available from Bovigen, there is now an effective and efficient tool available to use this knowledge in making breeding and management decisions.

Tenderness is typically evaluated in research environments through the use of Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) tests.  Collection and evaluation of this type of data is time consuming and expensive, which makes it difficult to evaluate this trait in breeding animals at a young age or on a large scale.  One of the key benefits of DNA technology is the ability to provide genetic information at a young age.  This is especially true on traits relating to carcass merit.

    THE TENDERNESS GENES:

    CALPAIN is a naturally occurring enzyme that weakens muscle fibers during the post-mortem aging process and plays a major role in the overall tenderness equation.

    CALPASTATION is a naturally occurring enzyme that inhibits the normal tenderization process of meat during postmortem aging by acting as an antagonist to the effect of Calpain.

    The combined effects of these markers account for about two and a half pounds of WBSF.

    On average, the T1 marker for Calpastatin accounts for about one pound of shear force and is completely independent of the other two markers currently making up the GeneSTAR Tenderness test.  T2 and T3, both markers of the Calpain gene, also account for about one pound each, though they are not independent of each other.  As a result they account for about one and a half pounds in total.  So, on average, the entire Tenderness test accounts for about two and a half pounds of WBSF.

    Various research studies have shown anywhere from 1.86 lb difference to a 2.89 lb difference, including the table above which is an independent analysis by the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium.

    GENESTAR QUALITY GRADE INFORMATION: 

    The GeneSTAR Quality Grade is a DNA genetic marker panel test offered by Bovigen LLC, which identifies the presence of a major gene, Thyroglobulin, associated with Quality Grade and marbling.  This Panel Test includes TG5, which was the first gene marker test available to the beef industry.  Both gene markers in this panel have been found to be highly associated with quality grade in multiple evaluations across multiple breeds of cattle.  Moreover, this panel of markers is the only marbling or quality grade test to have passed an independent validation by the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. 

        By combining DNA tests with other information, such as EPDs, it is possible to make breeding decisions that are based on more precise information regarding each individual animals genetic genetics and to ultimately shorten the time and number of generations necessary to see practical results.  As can be seen in the table below, dramatic differences in the percentage of animals grading choice can be seen when comparing 0-STAR animals and 4-STAR animals. 

   

    The value of Choice versus Select is well defined for individual steers and feeder heifers.  However, what is often overlooked is the value difference between bulls, when their impact on a trait like Quality Grade is compared.  The comparison in percent choice can be very valuable as evidenced by the Value per Bull graph, shown below.