Advancing genomics research in the beef sector

A new initiative will advance beef genetics by matching genomic markers with desirable traits and evaluating reproductive efficiencies.

IntegrOmes (Integrated Genomics for Sustainable Animal Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship) will help producers make more precise and data-driven breeding decisions that improve livestock productivity in Saskatchewan.

The initiative will receive $3.4 million over four years from the federal and provincial governments to support the development of two new facilities at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) which includes the Omics Resource Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and Beef Reprotech facilities at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).

Associate Vice President of Research at USask Terry Fonstad said this will enable producers to make more precise and data-driven breeding decisions that improve livestock productivity in Saskatchewan. The goal now is the genetic markers.

“You want better utters, you want calmer calves, you want better feet, you want animals that are shorter days from birth to plate. We can custom make that for a Parkland animal, for an animal in short grass,” Fonstad said. “It allows the industry to use less resources, shorter days to market and it’s all right here and it’s all because of investments from the province and the people of Saskatchewan. I think that return on investment is going to be huge both environmentally and dollar wise.”

Fonstad said this will address issues of beef cattle production and reproductive efficiency, animal health and the environment through the adoption of genomic tools.