Even Fairy Tales have a Message!
Mr Gerard Scheepens (Co-ordination Director, K I Samen, Grashoek, Netherlands
Like fairy tales Genomics are a lot of "make believe"! However, will there be a happy ending? Genomics are merely statistics! With a formula using more than 60,000 genomic markers based on only 5000 bulls, a lot of statistical imagination is required! A different definition of traits makes all previous "super bulls" ordinary and vice versa. In other words, genomics are not a magic wand, but present a greater financial risk than Wall Street!
Genomics: Veni Vidi Vici
Mr Huub te Plate (Vice President International Marketing, Cooperative Resources International, Shawano, Wisconsin, USA
January 2009 was a milestone in dairy cattle breeding. USDA proofs based on DNA testing were made available to the public. Today the majority of CRI semen sales in the US are from genomically proven bulls. As daughters of these bulls start milking they add information to the genomic pta's. These daughters are now confirming that bulls can be selected reliably based on genomics.
Genomic Selection in Ireland - from Zero to Hero in One Year
Dr Donagh Berry (Principal Research Officer, TEAGASC, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
Ireland has implemented genomic selection for dairy cattle within 1 year of initiating the research. The road to this achievement was based on quick thinking, decisive action and a collective commitment to get on with it. Collaboration, both among industry representatives, farmers and scientists in Ireland as well as among international scientists was vital to its success. Numbers of genotypes were increased by swapping with other countries. Dr Berry will demonstrate the success of this project in Ireland.
Breeding to Combine Efficiency, Profitability and Environment... Breeding Dairy Cows for the Future
Tom King (Dairy Farmer, Church Farm, Martinstown, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9LD, England
Dairy Beef has a Lower Carbon Footprint": Discuss!
Mr Philip Halhead (MD, Norbreck Genetics Ltd, Norbreck Farm, Cockerham, Lancaster
Genetic advancement within the British Blue breed has combined ease of calving with superior feed efficiency. However, current environmental and welfare concerns surrounding beef production have moved the goalposts. Mr Halhead will tell us why he thinks that the British Blue is ideally placed to produce high yields of saleable beef in the shortest possible time frame leaving a favourable footprint.
We have developed the Cow; have we developed the Grass?
Dr Jon Moorby (Dairy Cow Nutritionist, Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales
Although traditional grass breeding targets such as yield and persistency remain important, other characteristics that help reduce the environmental footprint of dairy production are only just gaining recognition. Traits that improve the efficiency of grass utilisation can be bred into new varieties using conventional and molecular biology (GM) techniques. What's available, and what traits should we look for?
In Defence of the Environmental Record of Large Scale Dairying in the UK
Mr Graeme Surtees (Farm Business Consultant, Rowallen House, Aldcliffe, Lancashire
Agriculture, and large scale dairying in particular, is vilified on a regular basis as a considerable contributor to greenhouse gasses in the UK. The author will defend its position by demonstrating that large scale dairying does have, or has the potential to have, a negative carbon footprint.
The Future through a Young Farmer's Eyes
Mr Robert Harrison (Dairy Farmer, Greystone Farm, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
As winner of the Farmers Guardian Dairy Farmer of the Future award, Rob has proven that he has coherent plans for running a successful 21st century dairy business. But how much consideration has he given to issues such as sustainability and carbon footprints? As well as telling us about the steps he has taken to become a successful milk producer, Rob will spell out how he sees its environmental future
Across-breed Genetic Valuations - What's in it for you?
Mr Marco Winters (breeding+ Director, DairyCo, Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
2010 will see the introduction of Across-Breed Evaluations for the UK dairy herd. This method improves on existing evaluations and makes it possible to compare bulls of different breeds directly. For the first time genetic evaluations will be available on crossbred animals and breeds not previously evaluated in the UK (eg. Brown Swiss and Montbeliarde).
Utilising Genetic Improvement In Dairy To Deliver Environmental Goals
Dr Eileen Wall (Scientist, SAC, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
Dairy genetic improvement has been driven by breeding goals that consider the broader profitability of a dairy system, incorporating both production and fitness traits. However, dairy producers may also be required to consider wider societal goals in the management of their systems, including their choice of bulls. This paper will focus on how UK dairy breeding goals could be developed to include environmental impact.