Scientists have achieved a very important milestone in the mapping of the bovine genome, which will make it possible to enhance the health and aid better disease control in cattle
Scientists have achieved a very important milestone in the mapping of the bovine genome, which will make it possible to enhance the health and aid better disease control in cattle. This research is slated to benefit the beef and diary industry immensely.
Scientists firmed up on a sequence of 2.9 million DNA base pairs, which brought to light the value of the difference even in one pair, which can alter the productivity of the animal.Dr Brian Dalrymple, head of bioinformatics livestock research at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, said, “We can use this data to identify those genes that are involved in important functions like lactation, reproduction, muscling, growth rate and disease resistance. This is just the beginning of a revolution in the way we produce our animals and food. Once we have a complete set of genes that influence tenderness, for example, we will be able to predict that animals of a certain type, fed a particular type of pasture or grain, will consistently produce meat of a particular standard of tenderness and marbling."
