Interpreting the Data...
Genetic Conditions
Horn/Polled:
PP - Homozygous Polled:
A homozygous polled animal carries two dominant allele (polled), all offspring off a homozygous polled animal will be polled even if they are mated to a heterozygous polled or horned animal.
HP - Heterozygous Polled:
A heterozygous polled animal is born with one dominant allele (polled) and one recessive allele (horned). They do not have horns but they do carry a recessive allele for horns, which means if they are mated to another heterozygous polled animal or a horned animal then the resulting offspring could be horned. (See chart below for description).
HH - Homozygous Horned:
A homozygous horned animal is born with two recessive alleles (horned). (The Canadian Speckle Park Association & Speckle Park International do not recognize horned cattle thus they are not permitted registered status).
S - Scurred:
Some polled cattle have scurs. Scurs are incompletely developed horns that are generally attached only to the skin. They range in size from tiny scab-like growths to large protrusions almost as large as horns. Therefore, polled cattle can be smooth-polled or scurred-polled (polled but expressing scurs). In horned cattle, the horn hides the scurred condition. So you can't evaluate the scurred condition in horned cattle. Not all polled cattle are free of scurs, it appears that only cattle that are heterozygous for the polled/horned genes (Pp) will express the scurred trait. Which means that both homozygous horned and polled animals will be free of scurs.
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/77ef9656/files/uploaded/understanding-scurred-condition.pdf
PP - Homozygous Polled:
A homozygous polled animal carries two dominant allele (polled), all offspring off a homozygous polled animal will be polled even if they are mated to a heterozygous polled or horned animal.
HP - Heterozygous Polled:
A heterozygous polled animal is born with one dominant allele (polled) and one recessive allele (horned). They do not have horns but they do carry a recessive allele for horns, which means if they are mated to another heterozygous polled animal or a horned animal then the resulting offspring could be horned. (See chart below for description).
HH - Homozygous Horned:
A homozygous horned animal is born with two recessive alleles (horned). (The Canadian Speckle Park Association & Speckle Park International do not recognize horned cattle thus they are not permitted registered status).
S - Scurred:
Some polled cattle have scurs. Scurs are incompletely developed horns that are generally attached only to the skin. They range in size from tiny scab-like growths to large protrusions almost as large as horns. Therefore, polled cattle can be smooth-polled or scurred-polled (polled but expressing scurs). In horned cattle, the horn hides the scurred condition. So you can't evaluate the scurred condition in horned cattle. Not all polled cattle are free of scurs, it appears that only cattle that are heterozygous for the polled/horned genes (Pp) will express the scurred trait. Which means that both homozygous horned and polled animals will be free of scurs.
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/77ef9656/files/uploaded/understanding-scurred-condition.pdf
Coat Colour:
"Red Gene – While there are several different genes that influence coat colour, all animals have one base coat colour, being either black or red. Other coat colours/patterns, including the Speckle Park patterns of speckled, leopard and white pointed, are caused by other genes acting on top of this base coat colour. The base coat colour is controlled by the melanocartin 1 receptor gene, where red is recessive to black. Therefore, animals with a black base coat colour can either be homozygous black (unaffected, no copies of the red gene) or heterozygous black (red carrier, one copy of the red gene). As red calves (affected, two copies of the red gene) will only occur when two red carrier animals are mated together."
https://abri.une.edu.au/online/pages/SPARK_Genetic_explanation.pdf
Homozygous Black:
A homozygous black animal carries two dominant allele (black), all offspring off a homozygous black animal will be black even if they are mated to a heterozygous black or red animal.
Heterozygous Black:
A heterozygous animal carries one dominant allele (black) and one recessive allele (red). They will be born black in colour but they do carry a recessive allele which means if they are mated to another heterozygous black animal or a red animal then the resulting offspring could be red. (See chart below for description).
Homozygous Red:
A homozygous red animal is born with two recessive alleles (red). (The Canadian Speckle Park Association & Speckle Park International do not recognize red cattle thus they are not permitted registered status).
"Red Gene – While there are several different genes that influence coat colour, all animals have one base coat colour, being either black or red. Other coat colours/patterns, including the Speckle Park patterns of speckled, leopard and white pointed, are caused by other genes acting on top of this base coat colour. The base coat colour is controlled by the melanocartin 1 receptor gene, where red is recessive to black. Therefore, animals with a black base coat colour can either be homozygous black (unaffected, no copies of the red gene) or heterozygous black (red carrier, one copy of the red gene). As red calves (affected, two copies of the red gene) will only occur when two red carrier animals are mated together."
https://abri.une.edu.au/online/pages/SPARK_Genetic_explanation.pdf
Homozygous Black:
A homozygous black animal carries two dominant allele (black), all offspring off a homozygous black animal will be black even if they are mated to a heterozygous black or red animal.
Heterozygous Black:
A heterozygous animal carries one dominant allele (black) and one recessive allele (red). They will be born black in colour but they do carry a recessive allele which means if they are mated to another heterozygous black animal or a red animal then the resulting offspring could be red. (See chart below for description).
Homozygous Red:
A homozygous red animal is born with two recessive alleles (red). (The Canadian Speckle Park Association & Speckle Park International do not recognize red cattle thus they are not permitted registered status).
Myostatin:
"NT821 (Myostatin) – There are 9 myostatin mutations that have currently been identified in beef cattle. Of these, one, NT821, is known to exist in the Speckle Park breed. Animals with two copies of the myostatin mutation have extreme muscling and are often referred to as “double muscled” (in fact, these affected animals do not have double the number of muscles of an unaffected animal. Rather the normal muscles are much larger than in an unaffected animal). While double muscled animals typically have increased retail beef yield, they are also typically leaner (less fat/marbling) and may have increased incidence of heavier birth weights and associated calving problems. Carrier animals (one copy of the NT821 myostatin mutation) are likely to be better muscled than unaffected animals (no copies of the NT821myostatin mutation), but less so than affected animals. As the NT821 myostatin mutation is recessive, affected (double muscled) calves will only occur when two carrier animals are mated together."
https://abri.une.edu.au/online/pages/SPARK_Genetics_explanation.pdf
"NT821 (Myostatin) – There are 9 myostatin mutations that have currently been identified in beef cattle. Of these, one, NT821, is known to exist in the Speckle Park breed. Animals with two copies of the myostatin mutation have extreme muscling and are often referred to as “double muscled” (in fact, these affected animals do not have double the number of muscles of an unaffected animal. Rather the normal muscles are much larger than in an unaffected animal). While double muscled animals typically have increased retail beef yield, they are also typically leaner (less fat/marbling) and may have increased incidence of heavier birth weights and associated calving problems. Carrier animals (one copy of the NT821 myostatin mutation) are likely to be better muscled than unaffected animals (no copies of the NT821myostatin mutation), but less so than affected animals. As the NT821 myostatin mutation is recessive, affected (double muscled) calves will only occur when two carrier animals are mated together."
https://abri.une.edu.au/online/pages/SPARK_Genetics_explanation.pdf
Q-Select
Q-Select focuses on beef production traits that are economically important. Each genetic marker has undergone extensive peer reviewed research studies, and the economic traits that have been associated with each genetic marker have been proven through rigorous large scale testing. The four genotype performance traits reported are: Leptin, PMCH, CRH, and IGF2.
https://jadspecklepark.com.au/trading-on-tenderness-2/
(Click Here) to watch a video on Q-Select testing from Quantum Genetix
https://jadspecklepark.com.au/trading-on-tenderness-2/
(Click Here) to watch a video on Q-Select testing from Quantum Genetix
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Carcass Data
We are now ultra-sounding our cattle with Shari Leachman of Ultra Beef Ultrasound Services, we feel this data is yet another valuable tool to assist in improving the carcass quality and overall merit of the Speckle Park breed. The ultrasound images taken by Shari are analyzed by a third party, Centralized Ultrasound Processing (Cup Lab).
Carcass ultrasound is a tool that allows producers to assess and genetically improve Ribeye Area, %IMF, Backfat and Rump Fat - without having to harvest the animals. These traits are moderate to highly heritable within beef cattle, allowing subsequent selection and progress to occur quicker. Carcass ultrasound should be viewed as a genetic improvement tool primarily and with time can provide marketing value if the genetic superiority of a herd or particular animals is revealed. Carcass ultrasound measures traits that are very difficult to assess visually and proves effective when utilized as the information to develop EPDs. Utilization of carcass ultrasound in replacement heifers in many cases is more valuable than their bull counterparts since they will be the genetic base of the herd for years to come. Furthermore, scanning both replacement females and bull calves simply provides a greater number of observations and increases the accuracy or confidence of the true genetic merit of a sire. Improving ribeye and marbling, while holding backfat in check can provide each carcass with a higher ceiling for yield or quality grade rewards and therefore increase the potential bids of feeders and order buyers.
Shari Leachman, Certified UGC Ultrasound Technician
Ultra Beef Ultrasound Services
shari@ultrabeef.ca
306-903-7289
Articles on Ultrasound data:
"How to read a scan" - Sean McGrath
"Understanding the Ultrasound Info Craze" - Patrick Wall
"Evaluation of Beef Carcass Merit with Ultrasound" - Dr. Denny Crews
Carcass ultrasound is a tool that allows producers to assess and genetically improve Ribeye Area, %IMF, Backfat and Rump Fat - without having to harvest the animals. These traits are moderate to highly heritable within beef cattle, allowing subsequent selection and progress to occur quicker. Carcass ultrasound should be viewed as a genetic improvement tool primarily and with time can provide marketing value if the genetic superiority of a herd or particular animals is revealed. Carcass ultrasound measures traits that are very difficult to assess visually and proves effective when utilized as the information to develop EPDs. Utilization of carcass ultrasound in replacement heifers in many cases is more valuable than their bull counterparts since they will be the genetic base of the herd for years to come. Furthermore, scanning both replacement females and bull calves simply provides a greater number of observations and increases the accuracy or confidence of the true genetic merit of a sire. Improving ribeye and marbling, while holding backfat in check can provide each carcass with a higher ceiling for yield or quality grade rewards and therefore increase the potential bids of feeders and order buyers.
Shari Leachman, Certified UGC Ultrasound Technician
Ultra Beef Ultrasound Services
shari@ultrabeef.ca
306-903-7289
Articles on Ultrasound data:
"How to read a scan" - Sean McGrath
"Understanding the Ultrasound Info Craze" - Patrick Wall
"Evaluation of Beef Carcass Merit with Ultrasound" - Dr. Denny Crews
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"Mark of Excellence"
1. % IMF - Intramuscular fat 2. Ribeye Area & Backfat 3. Rump fat |
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Sources:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mysterious-retron-dna-helps-scientists-edit-human-genes/
https://wirruna.com/understanding-the-poll-gene
https://www.beefcentral.com/genetics/weekly-genetics-review-the-elusive-polled-gene-not-so-elusive/
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/77ef9656/files/uploaded/understanding-scurred-condition.pdf
https://www.beefcentral.com/genetics/understanding-the-genetics-of-coat-colour/
https://abri.une.edu.au/online/pages/SPARK_Genetics_explanation.pdf
https://jadspecklepark.com.au/trading-on-tenderness-2/
https://www.cuplab.com/
https://www.cuplab.com/articles.aspx
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mysterious-retron-dna-helps-scientists-edit-human-genes/
https://wirruna.com/understanding-the-poll-gene
https://www.beefcentral.com/genetics/weekly-genetics-review-the-elusive-polled-gene-not-so-elusive/
https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/77ef9656/files/uploaded/understanding-scurred-condition.pdf
https://www.beefcentral.com/genetics/understanding-the-genetics-of-coat-colour/
https://abri.une.edu.au/online/pages/SPARK_Genetics_explanation.pdf
https://jadspecklepark.com.au/trading-on-tenderness-2/
https://www.cuplab.com/
https://www.cuplab.com/articles.aspx
