The genetic improvement of cow, calf and heifer for survival and resilience
project aims to increase the survival and resilience of animals in the dairy industry through selective breeding.
Advanced statistical methods are being used to analyse large datasets for several factors which can predict the ability of dairy cows to stay healthy and productive under Australian conditions.
The information gained will be used to improve the Australian breeding values for cow survival and to develop a new breeding value for cow resilience.
The Genomics to Predict Animal Performance project sought to develop management tools which predict a dairy cow’s future performance during the
transition phase between calving and early lactation.
Advances in data sources and computing mean that these tools may be able to
provide predictions in near or real time, and able to inform better farm
management practices.
The Genetic Selection for Transition Health and Fertility project has
developed a comprehensive database about cow health and fertility during the
transition from giving birth to early lactation. The database contains information from 10,000 cows including observable traits, analysis of blood biomarkers and milk composition.
This significant resource for the dairy industry is now being used to develop
breeding values to improve outcomes during the transition period and identifying new ways to predict genetic predisposition to maintaining health during this critical period of a cow’s life.
The Genomic selection for Heat tolerance project has developed a more accurate heat tolerance breeding value that allows dairy farmers to identify cows with improved ability to tolerate hot and humid conditions with less impact on milk production.
The project has also successfully assessed the impact of heat stress on fertility in Australian dairy cows and identified genetic variants which will be used to improve prediction of this breeding value.
The Breeding for Reduced Pollution and Improved Efficiency and ‘the Green Cow’ projects seek to develop new ways to predict individual dairy cow contributions to greenhouse gas pollutants, focusing on methane emissions. By developing predictors based on genetic and observable traits of cows, this project has already provided research underpinning the Sustainability Index (released by DataGene in 2022) that includes extra emphasis on breeding values known to reduce greenhouse gases.
Both projects will also investigate whether it is possible to breed dairy cows for an optimised community of microorganisms in the digestive system which reduce methane gas emissions.
The Genetic Diversity for Resilient and Profitable Cows project seeks to develop a deeper understanding of existing genetic diversity and inbreeding within the dairy industry. Data from existing global cow populations will be analysed to gain insight into the current genetic diversity between and within breeds, herds and sub-breed populations. The project will then develop tools to assist the dairy industry to optimise diversity, leading to healthier and more profitable cows into the future.