First commercially available product from High-Density 50,000-marker panel signifies landmark event for beef industry, greater economic return for beef producers
KALAMAZOO, Mich.--A significant milestone in the history of beef
genetics occurred today when Pfizer Animal Genetics announced the
completion of HD 50K, the beef industry’s first commercially available
predictions based on a High- Density panel of more than 50,000 markers.
This breakthrough represents significantly greater selection
opportunities for owners of black Angus cattle.
“Pfizer Animal Genetics is very proud to bring a High-Density panel to
the beef industry,” says Dr. Nigel Evans, vice president of Animal
Genetics for Pfizer Animal Health. “This is a major event for the
industry and our company, and cattlemen now have access to unprecedented
genomic selection information that can supplement EPDs to accelerate
genetic progress in their herds.”
HD 50K reports 14 genomic trait predictions as Molecular Value
Predictions (MVPs™) and carries a higher level of reliability,
demonstrating a tighter correlation between the MVP and the animal’s
performance. A portion of the traits described by the MVPs— average
daily gain, dry matter intake, net feed intake and tenderness—are not
currently expressed as Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) and provide
producers with an excellent opportunity to select cattle according to
traits of economic importance that can be difficult or costly to
measure. Other traits associated with calving ease, growth, and maternal
and carcass merit can be used in concert with existing EPDs. Also
included is the beef industry’s first DNA-based economic index, $MVPFL,
which provides a predicted value in relation to net return of feedlot
progeny.
“The MVPs from HD 50K have a strong relationship with an animal’s
performance,” says Ronnie Green, Ph.D., senior director, global
technical services for Pfizer Animal Genetics. “This enables Angus
producers to achieve a significant return on investment. Producers
making breeding decisions utilizing the product along with EPDs can
benefit from up to a three-to-one improvement in ROI versus using EPDs
alone in producing genetics for commercial cattlemen.”
The most powerful use of the HD 50K is to establish a genetic profile
for animals early in life. DNA samples can be analyzed from young
calves, long before progeny data is available and with greater accuracy
than parent average information. The resulting data provide a reliable
prediction of future performance, and allow producers to make earlier,
better and more profitable genetic decisions.
About Pfizer Animal Genetics
Pfizer Animal Genetics is a business unit of Pfizer Animal Health, a
world leader in discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines
and prescription medicines. Pfizer Inc. is the world’s largest
research-based pharmaceutical company. For more information on Pfizer
Animal Genetics visit animalhealth.pfizer.com.
