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Genetic Signposts – New ways to find healthier, more
productive sheep
SAC News Release Number 08N71
Date: 17 December 2008
New research into “genetic signposts” that point the way to better health and
welfare offers the promise of major productivity benefits to the sheep industry.
Until recently it has only been possible to test for single genes affecting animal
performance -such as scrapie resistance. A new SAC led project, funded by the
Scottish Government, DEFRA and QMS will explore tests for groups of genes that
together influence other aspects of an animal’s health or wellbeing.
According to the project leader Dr Beatriz Villanueva of SAC, recent developments
in genetic science are creating new opportunities for livestock breeders.
“We know that many animal performance traits are under the control of hundreds
of genes, each with relatively small effects, and it has proved much harder to
develop DNA tests for them. Now recent advances in lab techniques mean it is
feasible to test for tens of thousands of variations in the particular DNA sequence
that an animal inherits”
Using this new information the project will explore the practical benefits this
new information may offer livestock breeders and their customers.
Professor Geoff Simm, Head of SAC’s Livestock Systems Research commented,
“Genetic improvement is a very cost effective way of improving livestock performance
and profitability. We have world class breeding schemes in parts of the UK sheep
industry delivering multi-million pound benefits, but these could be increased
four-fold by wider use of current breeding techniques. The new DNA-based methods
could add to these benefits, and make it easier to improve traits like disease
resistance, which is difficult to do by conventional breeding based on data recording.
Resistance to worms, footrot and better lamb survival are obvious targets”.
Geoff Simm believes those breeding pure bred stock stand to benefit as do commercial
lamb producers seeking high merit replacement animals.
“Genetic improvement of appropriate traits can deliver multiple wins” he said.
“It can make production more economic, reduce the environmental cost of each
kilogram of food produced, cut waste and, when traits such as health and survival
are targeted, improve animal welfare”.
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