HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-03-18, Page 68Page 22A
Animal breeding strategies switch to labs
Anima: breeding strategies are worked
out in the barnyard less and less these
days. In the computer labs at the Universi-
ty of Guelph, it is technology that predicts
how a calf will look and perform even
before a cow and bull are mated. Officially
called the Centre for Genetic Improve-
ment of Livestock, a group of scientists,
technicians and computer specialists
maintains the University's position as a
world leader in genetic research and
livestock evaluation programs, says
Director Ted Burnside.
Scientists at the Guelph campus have
the country's largest data files on dairy
cattle performance records, a file still
growing at the rate of 100,000 entries a
- year. Almost as extensive are the files on
beef cattle, swine, piultry, sheep, fish and
horses.
From -the information contained in these
files, University of Guelph researchers
have developed evaluation systems now
routinely used in Canada and around the
world by livestock producers intent on
breeding genetically superior livestock.
Each system involves the solution of com-
plex mathematical equations that tabulate
all the performance records on each
animal, compare them to those of other
animals in the same herd or flock, and
rank them on the basis of the economically
important traits. In dairy cattle, traits
would include milk production, protein and
butterfat content, milking speed, body
type and calving ease. -
A new computer system has greatly
facilitated complex mathematical calcula-
tions. Affectionately known to the resear-
chers as -Gil", the $1.8 million system, a
gift from IBM Canada has turned night in-
to day for the researchers by permitting
them to follow through on one of the cen-
tre's prime objectives, the development of
data base systems for livestock records
that will save months of editing on many
research projects.
Practical benefits of the research are
numerous. To provide swine breeders with
an effective tool for improving the quality
of their breeding stock, Agricultural
Canada recently adopted a University of
Guelph procedure based on traits such as
backfat measurement and weight, as part
of a national genetic evaluation system for
pigs. Agriculture Canada also operates a
national sire monitoring program for beef
cattle using similar technologies
developed at the University.
The centre prepares semi-annual
reports that rank dairy sires of all major
breeds for the conformation and milking
speeds of their daughters. To many breed
associations and exporters of breeding
stock, such reports can be more important
than a first -prize ribbon earned in the show
ring, says Burnside. Statistical technology
not only allows the ranking of animals
- whose performance records are in the data
system, it also enables researchers to
forecast characteristics for the offspring
of these animals and predict for producers
the economic benefits of mating a dam to a
particular sire.
Research at the centre in technologies to
facilitate the freezing and thawing of
semen and in annual genetics has also con-
tributed to Canada's acknowledged leader-
ship in cattle and swine breeding, says
Burnside. The development of improved
insemination techniques is- a recent focus
of research and there is a proposal to open
up new areas of research in embryo
manipulation-..
Other current projects at the centre in-
clude studies of -the growth rate of Atlantic
salmon and nutrient requirements of lay-
ing hens. A project to breed sterile trout
with three sets of chromosomes instead of
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two is intended to ascertain if energy nor-
mally used for reproduction can be
diverted to growth.
For many countries that want to adopt
Canadas animal breeding technologies
and evalua/ion systems, the centre is a •
resource. INhas aided the development of
programs'in Mexico, Cuba, Malaysia, the
United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and
Argentina. This fall the centre hosted
visiting professors from universities in
Holland, Spain, and Norway.' •
Weaned pigs on decks
By Sue Bradshaw
Engineering Technician
Huron Perth Counties
Most people feel that placing weaned
pigs on decks or in cages is the way to go.
After all, pigs on decks are clean and dry -
but are they healthy?
Experience tells us that weaned pigs on
decks need a constant temperature of at
least 80 degrees i F . Even in a well in-
sulated barn, this takes a lot of additional
heat. For example, moist successful pro-
ducers feel that the inlet air for a weaner
room should be drawn from a preheat area
The centre will continue to expand its in-
ternational expertise through recently
funded industrial research chairs in the
areas of animal biotechnology, animal
breeding strategies, and molecular
biology.
biology. The Natural .Sciences and
Engineering Research Council, Semex
Canada, -and the Ontario Association:of
Animal Breeders are the spoitsors. The
agricultraul industry and government
have traditionally supported the centre's
work. -
require 80 degrees
such as a hallway or heated feed 'room.
Normally this air should be heated to ap-
proximately 65 - degrees I F l before it
enters the weaner room. Of Course, this in-•
let air temperature will Vary depending on
the number of pigs in the room; size of
pigs, amount of insulation, etc. •
To often, I find producers 'forcing the
pigs to heat the room. This usually results
in high humidity, high ammonia,:stale air
and sick pigs. -
If a producer isn't prepared to add
enough heat to keep the air fresh, maybe
the pigs wuld be better off on solid floors
smuggling into a good layer of straw.
Progress in ventilation inlets
Most of us realize a very important part
of our ventilation system is the air inlet.
What's new in inlets? In the past, we• have
struggled with manual adjustable inlets or
ones adjusted with a winch system. .At
best, we could set them properly fifty per-
cent of the time. Automatic static controll-
ed inlets work fine but tend to be costly.
Some time ago, a farmer came up with a -
new design. This inlet is simple,
economical and very effective. It consists
of a baffle board, counter. balanced with
weights. The weights close the inlet when
no fans -are running. As fans -start up, and
"vacuum" or static pressure increases in •-
the barn, the inlet opens. This inlet bas to
be set properly when installed; but then
will operate automatically. If you build it,
yourself, total costs will be around $3 to $4
per lineal foot.
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