Genomics - lots of potential, but don't break out the bubbly just - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Genomics - lots of potential, but don't break out the bubbly just yet! Professor Jon Hickford New Zealand Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

‘It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement around new genetic technologies like genomics, SNPs and blended eBVs, and primarily because we are all optimistic when it comes to what we think they might deliver in the future – but what will the future deliver to us.’ Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

When we breed sheep we need a dose of someone else’s market reality … Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

And a dose of global reality… ‘Social license to farm’ Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

And a bit of farming reality too Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

The market will decide our sheep breeding priorities not gene technologies Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

So how can Corriedale sheep breeders respond? There are many ways of responding, but one approach is to breed Corriedale sheep that: 1) Require fewer inputs (chemical, supplements, labour, etc.) 2) Are more resilient 3) Have a smaller environmental footprint 4) Are what the market ‘wants’ Wants is the critical word here because no one really needs sheep outside of subsistence sheep farmers. Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

Sheep Breeding • c.a. 10 000 years ago domestication of sheep • For nearly all that time ‘unorganised’ selection for valued traits and against negative traits – and that is still happening Most such livestock are, to begin with, pathological exaggerations, quite unfitted to survive at large and on their own merits, and with some one or two special characteristics developed to a grotesque degree. Eugenics Rev. 1930 Jan;21(4): 271-4 How tolerant is the world going to be of grotesque animals that have been designed with industrial meat production in mind? Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

The last 150 years of genetics • 1856 – 1863 - Mendel • 1859 - Darwin • 1905 The word ‘genetics’ coined • 1944 Avery and others – DNA transfer • 1953 Watson and Crick • 1911 - 1989 Henderson eBVs • 1977 DNA sequencing - Sanger • 1993 PCR – easy analysis of individual genes • 2001 First human genome draft • 2010 First sheep genome draft Now – eBVs, genomics, SNP chips, genomic breeding values, and a huge expectation, or idea that we can breed the perfect sheep! Perfect for what??? Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

It has to be perfect for ‘your’ market!?! How long will ‘your’ market exist given all the ’realities’ described above? Is the market now uniform and global? The very latest news is in your pocket or on your wrist! I do not think you will be able to avoid global market realities regardless of where you farm sheep or what fancy genetic tools you may use to breed them! Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

So is that all very depressing? It needn’t be! We now have many, many good and increasingly effective tools for sheep breeding with far greater precision. We can blend conventional selection, with use of eBVs, and our every increasing knowledge of the sheep genome (SNPs, etc.) to more accurately and intensely select breeding stock and decrease generation intervals. We also have a fantastic ‘tool box’ of gene transfer/modification technologies. We have never been so well off in having good ways of breeding sheep. - But to what purpose we put them, will I think become much more important than it ever has been. Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

So then what might our breeding priorities and hence the future of Corriedale sheep breeding look like? Can we continue to feed human food to livestock, or will ruminants only be ‘allowed’ to eat cellulose? Can we continue to increase ruminant animal numbers? Will we still have recourse to antibiotics, drenches and insecticides? Can we continue to use synthetics for clothing or carpet? And don’t blame me for mentioning these things! Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

So once again, how can sheep breeders respond? Breed sheep that: 1) Require fewer inputs (chemical, human food supplements, labour, etc.) 2) Are more resilient 3) Have a small environmental footprint 4) Are what the market ‘wants’ This all starts with you as a Corriedale breeder, but with the tools available including judicious use of genomics, and eBVs, and good old- fashioned (?) ‘ stockpersonship ’ it is not impossible…. ….and it can be very, very rewarding too. Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

Can we pick some specific breeding priorities for Corriedale sheep? Great wool. Fibre to fibre, fleece to fleece consistency for use in high quality outer garments. This means focus on MFD, FDSD, colour and staple strength. ’If you are not prepared to do it outstandingly then go and farm cows’ Great meat. Consistent eating quality. Focus on breeding for tenderness (moderate heritability) and IMF (mod/high heritability). Reduced susceptibility to bacterial and parasitic disease that require chemical interventions. Fast growth. Speed to slaughter reduces GHG footprint. Will need low GHG feeding systems. And all from a farming system that is absolutely beyond reproach and beyond reproach anywhere in the world. Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz

Thank you Lincoln University | www.lincoln.ac.nz