Members wishing to genotype animals in preparation for this year’s sales or in readiness for the breeding season should order DNA sampling kits ASAP to ensure samples are submitted in time for results to be available.
Society data and technical services manager Ed Smith says members should consider DNA testing to increase the amount of information available for sale animals, improving sale opportunities.
“In addition, genotyping provides valuable information to inform breeding plans and decisions ahead of the autumn breeding season, advising, with the high investments made by many breeders using ET, they should consider genotyping ET donors as a priority.
Using the Society’s genotyping service will provide Scrapie and Microphthalmia genotypes along with parentage verification when parent genotypes are available in iTexel, increasing the benefits the service offers, says Dr Smith.
Why genotype?
- Increase information available to potential buyers.
- Maximise number of potential buyers and, potentially, improve sale prices.
- Enable informed breeding decisions.
- Get a head start on Microphthalmia testing.
- Scrapie genotyping included.
- Parentage verification for 2024-born animals.
- Improved accuracy of, and confidence in, genomic breeding values.
DNA sampling kits should be ordered via iTexel, with kits sent to members who should take samples promptly, following the within pack instructions, and return the kits to the Society office.
“Samples will then be submitted to the Society’s genotyping laboratory and results uploaded to iTexel once testing is complete.”
Members will be notified when results are available. “It can, at busy times, take up to eight weeks for results to be returned once samples have been received by the office, so members should act now if they want results available ahead of National sales and breeding programmes.” he adds.
For more information see the Society’s Spring Bulletin or the FAQ’s page.