Genetics in the Paddock with Emily

• 30 Years of Proof: Why Muscular Cows Mean More Meat, More Profit with Dr Linda Cafe and Brett Littler

  Join us for another insightful episode of "Genetics in the Paddock with Emily" as we welcome Dr. Linda Cafe, a research scientist from NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Brett Littler, Senior Land Services Officer with Local Land Services. In this episode, we dive deep into a remarkable Australian study that ran from 1992 to 2020, exploring muscle scoring in beef cattle and its impacts on herd productivity and profitability.Linda and Brett share fascinating insights from almost three decades of research, demonstrating how selecting cows for higher muscle scores significantly increases meat yield and carcass efficiency—without compromising maternal productivity, fertility, or calving ease. We discuss the genetics behind muscle traits, the role of the myostatin gene, and practical strategies producers can use today to enhance herd resilience, efficiency, and profitability.Whether you're a producer, geneticist, or someone passionate about beef cattle, this episode offers valuable insights that challenge old myths and reveal new opportunities to optimise your herd's performance.To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics, or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: [email protected] information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice.This episode is produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.Resources:Cafe LM, McKiernan WA, Robinson DL (2014) Selection for increased muscling improved feed efficiency and carcase characteristics of Angus steers. Animal Production Science 54: 1412-1416. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14316  Cafe LM, McKiernan WA, Robinson DL (2018) Selection for increased muscling is not detrimental to maternal productivity traits in Angus cows. Animal Production Science 58: 185-192. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13023 Cafe LM, Polkinghorne R and Robinson DL (2021) Increased muscling and one copy of the 821 del11 myostatin mutation did not reduce meat quality in Angus steers. Animal Production in Australia 33. 2021AAAS_Cafe_Linda (animalscienceconference.com.au) Greenwood PL, O’Rourke BA, Brunner J, Johns WH, Arthur PF and Cafe LM (2019) Cellular development in muscle differs between Angus steers from low and high muscle score selection lines. Journal of Animal Science 97: 3199-3212. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz144 McGilchrist P, Pethick DW, Bonny SPF, Greenwood PL, Gardner GE. (2011) Beef cattle selected for increased muscularity have a reduced muscle response to adrenaline and increased adipose tissue response to adrenaline. Animal 5:875-884. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731110002508 McKiernan WA, Richardson E, Wilkins JF (2004) Effect of selection for increased muscling on early female reproductive potential. Animal Production in Australia 25:283. https://www.publish.csiro.au/SA/pdf/SA0401128 McKiernan WA (1995) Growth, carcass value and body measurements from high and low muscled bulls. M.Sc. thesis, University of New South Wales, Australia. Growth carcass value and body measurements from high and low muscled cattle (unsw.edu.au) O’Rourke BA, Dennis JA, Healy PJ, McKiernan WA, Greenwood PL, Cafe LM, Perry D, Walker KH, Marsh I, Parnell PF and Arthur PF (2009) Quantitative analysis of performance, carcass and meat quality traits in cattle from two Australian beef herds in which a null myostatin allele is segregating. Animal Production Science 49:297-305. https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08206 Robinson DL, Cafe LM, McKiernan WA (2014) Heritability of muscle score and genetic and phenotypic relationships with weight, fatness and eye muscle area in beef cattle. Animal Production Science 54: 1443-1448. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14347 Walmsley BJ, McKiernan WA (2011) Observed trends in estimated breeding values in response to selection using visual muscle score in beef cattle. Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics. 19:123-126. walmsley123.pdf (aaabg.org) 

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• Double Trouble or Double Profit? The Science of Twinning in Cattle with Dr. Leo Cummins

  Join us for another exciting episode of "Genetics in the Paddock with Emily" as we welcome Dr. Leo Cummins, a retired scientist from the Victorian Department of Agriculture. In this episode, we discuss the history behind twinning in cattle from the 1980's, through to what is currently undergoing research.Leo discusses some of the twinning research over in Nebraska, USA, as well as some of the practical challenges that go alongside twinning in cattle.  We also discuss sustainability, growth rates of twins and some of the common misconceptions.Join us to listen to Leo's experience with twinner cattle and whether it might be an option for you. Whether you're a producer, a researcher, or simply want to know more about Leo's work, this episode is packed with knowledge you won't want to miss!To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: [email protected] information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice

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• Wrinkles, Weather, and Wool: The Genetics of Breech Strike in Merinos with Tracie Bird-Gardiner

  Join us for another exciting episode of "Genetics in the Paddock with Emily" as we welcome Tracie Bird-Gardiner, a Development Officer from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. In this episode, we discuss the significance of breech strike within the Australian Merino sheep industry including the practise of mulesing for controlling this issue.Tracie guides us through some alternative methods to mulesing, focussing on genetic selection and speaks about the tools we currently have available.  We also discuss the impact the environment has on the expression of breech strike and various indicator traits for breech strike.Come along to hear Tracie's findings around breech strike resistance research and how we can incorporate various strategies into breeding programs. Whether you're a producer, a researcher, or simply want to know more about Tracie's work, this episode is packed with knowledge you won't want to miss!Research discussed:Greeff, J. C., et al. (2013). Dogs Can Differentiate Between Odours from Sheep that are Resistant or Susceptible to Breech Strike. 20th Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG), War Memorial Conference Centre, Napier, New ZealandThis episode is produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: [email protected] information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice

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• Breeders are Cheating the System with BREEDPLAN? With Dr. Matt Wolcott and Catriona Millen

  Join us for another very exciting episode of "Genetics in the Paddock with Emily" as we welcome Dr. Matt Wolcott (Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit) and Catriona Millen (Agricultural Business Research Institute) for a mythbusting episode. We discuss common misconceptions that arise when using the BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation service for beef cattle.Matt and Catriona discuss several topics such as low heritability traits, low accuracy, cheating the system, breeding values being the only important factor and more.Join us to hear more about these common misconceptions, and what the explanations behind this proven and powerful technology are. Whether you're a producer, a researcher, or simply want to know more about how we can use genetics to make improvements and selection decisions, this episode is packed with knowledge you won't want to miss!This episode is produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: [email protected] information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice.BREEDPLAN:  https://breedplan.une.edu.au/

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• From Data to Practice: Practical Applications for Breeding Programs with Professor Sam Clark

  Join us for another interesting episode of "Genetics in the Paddock with Emily" as we welcome Professor Sam Clark in Quantitative Genetics, from the University of New England. In this episode, we discuss the importance and practical use of reference data sets, the value of genomics, breeding programme design and personal insights and reflections.Sam takes us through how he finds the balance between research and teaching.  We also discuss some of the biggest challenges, memorable moments and the importance of collaboration within the research space.Come along to hear Sam's experience, working in Quantitative Genetics across several species, including some of the important projects he's currently working on. Whether you're a producer, a researcher, or simply want to know more about Sam's insightful work, this episode is packed with knowledge you won't want to miss!This episode is produced by the Extensive Livestock Team within the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.To provide feedback, comments, suggestions for future topics or guest speakers you'd like to hear from, please email: [email protected] information is for informative and educational purposes only and does not constitute advice.

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