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Increased Accuracy of Selection for Nutrient Utilization in Duroc Pigs by Application of Genomic Tools. Objective: The objective of this project is to identify opportunities for improving growth rate, nutrient utilization, and survival in a Duroc terminal sire population. The objective will be accomplished by doing a genome wide association study (GWAS) utilizing the PIG SNP60 Chip and established statistical methodologies. The PIG SNP60 Chip allows scientists to document a pig's genotype for more than 60,000 genetic markers spread across the entire pig genome. Combining the genetic marker information with performance data and applying the appropriate statistical techniques allows researchers to identify regions of the pig genome associated with genetic variation in the performance trait of interest. Animals Needed: 1,000 Duroc boars with individual feed intake data. Value of proposed research: Genomic tools have the potential to complement today's selection programs to enhance genetic progress and, subsequently, the rate of commercial-level improvement. Theoretically, this can be done through increases in prediction accuracy and decreases in genetic lag. Yet current genomic technology is cost prohibitive or limited to associations among single-markers and few traits. The proposed project will yield information about the realized increases in prediction accuracy due to genomic information applied to several aspects of production, including piglet quality, growth, feed utilization, composition of growth, and loin marbling quality. In addition, a subset of informative markers can be identified to yield similar results. Consequently, the cost of the technology is spread across several markers, yet the return is optimized for profit-related production traits. Finally, this research would have broad impact by validating aspects of whole-genome selection technology for a large number of traits, yet have a quick road to implementation by providing a possible set of SNPs for a reduced-panel. Funded by: National Pork Board, North Carolina Pork Council, National Swine Genome Coordinator's Office, and Smithfield Premium Genetics |
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Effects of Preweaning Factors on Sow Lifetime Productivity. Objective: The objective of this project is to estimate the impact of preweaning environment and management of gilts on subsequent sow lifetime productivity. This objective will be accomplished by tracking 13,000 gilts from birth until removal from the sow herd. It is expected that weaning weight records will be available on at least 10,000 gilts, and 7000 of these females will enter the sow herd. Station Name: Murphy Brown Sow Units Description: Gilts will be individually tracked from birth until culling or forth parity whichever comes first. Traits recorded will include size of the litter into which the gilt was born, size of the litter which the gilt was nursed in, birth weight, weaning weight, and other phenotypic measures. All gilts will be given the opportunity to produce a litter and standard sow performance traits will be recorded. Animals Needed: 10,000 gilts from single sire matings born during at least two seasons of the year. Value of proposed research: Sow lifetime productivity (defined as pigs per female per day of herd-life) has been identified as a critical factor for global competiveness. In order for the US pig industry to remain globally competitive and to be the premier provider of protein for human consumption, efficiency must be improved. Sow lifetime productivity is directly linked to economic efficiency, biological efficiency, feed costs, and pig welfare. A critical component of sow lifetime productivity is gilt development. Spörke (2007) identified the following benchmarks for gilt performance: farrowing rate of 95%, total number born of 12.8, retention rate to parity 3 greater than 75%, and lifetime productivity of 55 weaned pigs. These benchmarks far exceed US pig industry current averages. Achieving these benchmarks will require greater emphasis on gilt development and novel management approaches. However, a critical knowledge gap exists with regard to the impact of gilt preweaning management and environment on sow lifetime productivity. The proposed project will result in a large database for evaluating early postnatal factors affecting sow lifetime productivity. Results of this project will lead to improved best management practices for gilt development. Funded by: National Pork Board and Smithfield Premium Genetics |
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Identification of methods for improving efficiency of beef production Objective: The objective of this project is to identify genetic and nutritional approaches to improving efficiency of beef production. Station Name: Upper Piedmont Beef Unit Outlying Research Station Description: Individual feed intake data will be recorded on 130 cows each year using Calan gates. This data will be used to develop methods for genetically selecting cows for improved efficiency. Individual feed intake will also be record on at least 50 bull progeny of these cows annually. Bull feed intake data will be compared to cow data to estimate the phenotypic and genetic correlations among cow feed intake and feed intake of their bull progeny. Serial ultrasound data will be collected on bulls. This data will be used to predict expected feed intake. Expected feed intake and actual feed intake will be used to estimate residual feed intake. Animals Needed: 140 lactating beef cows each year. 50 bull calves between the age of 6 and 12 months of age will be need each year. Facilities: A barn equipped to record individual feed intake on cows and young bulls Equipment: Scales for recording weights of the above animals.Ultra-sound equipment for recording back fat, REA, and Marbling. Feed: Feed requirements may change through out the experiment. Normal Treatments: Cows will be rotated through the individual feed intake facility such that at least 60 days of intake data will be available on each cow each year during lactation.Individual feed intake will be recorded on bull calves for a minimum of 90 Funded by: American Angus Association, North Carolina Cattlmen's Association, NC Agricultural Foundation |
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Residual Feed Intake in Angus Bulls Objective: To estimate residual-feed-intake (RFI) and estimate the correlation among RFI, $EN, ADG, feed efficiency, ribeye area and backfat in Angus Bulls Station Name: : Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory Description: The experiment will include 60 weaned bull calves representing 8 sires from the Reidsville Research Station. The bulls will proceed through established post-weaning vaccination and parasite elimination programs. They will be transported to the Butner Beef Cattle Center, adapted to a corn silage-based diet, and trained to use the individual feeding gates. They will be blocked on the bases of live weight and sire into groups of 12 and fed the same diet for 84 days. Two consecutive (day) full live weights and one shrunk live weight, and hip height will be recorded at the start and end of the experiment. Hip height, scrotal circumference, blood samples (for determination of metabolites and growth hormones) and ultrasound measures of body composition will be taken at the start, middle, and end of the feeding period. They will be weighed every 14 days during the feeding period. Hip height, scrotal circumference and additional blood samples may be taken in conjunction with interim weighings. The experiment will begin approximately September 1, 2006. The silage-based diet will be formulated to support 1.4 kg ADG . The supplement will contain protein, minerals, vitamins, and rumensin (Table 1). The silage and supplement will be mixed at the ratio of 5 kg silage DM: 1.44 kg supplement DM, and fed as a total mixed ration. All bulls will receive the same diet, but feed offered will be adjusted to sustain maximum voluntary intake. Animals Needed: 60 weaned bull calves from the Reidsville Research Station, annually Funded by: American Angus Association, North Carolina Cattlmen's Association, NC Agricultural Foundation |
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Evaluation of crossbred calf and cow types for the coastal plains of North Carolina Objective: The objective of this project is to compare the performance of Angus, Angus x Braunvieh, and Angus x Hereford calves on the coastal plains of North Carolina. Station Name: Tidewater Outlying Research Station Description: Any female which is at least 3/4 Angus will be considered to be a commercial Angus cow for the purposes of this experiment. Commercial Angus females will be mated to Hereford, Braunvieh, or Angus bulls to produce Angus, Angus x Braunvieh, and Angus x Hereford calves. Performance of these calves will then be evaluated for growth, reproduction, and possibly carcass. This study is focused specifically on performance of these breeds in the coastal plains of North Carolina. Animals Needed: This experiment will require a minimum of 130 calving females each year. This project is currently projected to take 15 years to complete. More calving females would result in the project being completed sooner. Facilities: The experiment requires sorting pens, a calving barn, and a barn for intensive feeding. An area suitable for artificial insemination is also required. In addition, pasture space is needed for 130 cow-calf pairs and 50 replacement heifers. Equipment: Necessary equipment include a scales, a head gate, and semen tanks. All other equipment would be basic equipment necessary for beef cattle production. Feed: There are no special feed requirements. Normal Treatments: Bulls will be randomly assigned to cows and mated via AI. All matings will be via AI. Begin Date: 1 / 1 / 2003 End Date: ongoing |