Expanded DNA test jumps to 56 markers

摘要

THE use of DNA testing to provide genetic selection and commercial feedlot sorting tools for important beef cattle traits took a major step forward last month with the launch of a new 56-marker panel for Pfizer's GeneStar test. The new marker panel replaces the previous test which assessed only 12 genes contributing to three important beef traits: tenderness, marbling and feed efficiency. Importantly, the expanded marker panel explains a significantly larger proportion of the genetic variation seen in animals for each trait, ranging in reliability from 26% in the example of marbling to 30% for feed efficiency to 49% for tenderness.