What weighting should be given to BRD resistance in ... · feedlot performance and carcass traits, and even less to bovine respiratory disease incidence. To incentivize the inclusion

1 Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 2 USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Miles City, MT 59301

Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Education

What weighting should be

given to BRD resistance in

selection decisions?

Van Eenennaam 6/3/2011

Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education Van Eenennaam 6/3/2011

Overview

Which traits are likely to benefit from genomics?

What is the value of emerging molecular breeding values (MBV) for economically-relevant traits (ERT) for which no breed EPD exist?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)

– The problem

– The potential

Calculating relative economic value of BRD

Industry structure implications

Potential benefits of genomics are greatest for economically-

important traits that

Are difficult or expensive to measure

Cannot be measured until late in life or after the animal is dead

Are not currently selected for because they are not routinely measured

Have low heritability Have undesired

correlations with other economic traits

Yep, looks like

none of ‘em

were resistant

Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Education Van Eenennaam 6/3/2011

1. Selection for economically-relevant traits (ERTs) that were previously omitted from breeding objectives due to lack of selection tools/criteria

2. The introduction of novel traits into the breeding objective, or

3. The development of high-value markets with new product specifications.


Genomics may increase the value of genetic gain (G) appreciably if it enables:

Genomic information should not require any fundamental changes to the development of breeding objectives and selection index calculation

Selection emphasis for new genomically-enabled traits will need to be weighted by effect on profitability relative to other economically-important traits

What is the relative economic value of these new traits in the breeding objective?


Determining the value of genomics


BRD: THE PROBLEM

“Year in and year out, diseases of the respiratory system are a major cause of illness and death in cattle from 6 weeks to two years of age. Sadly, this is as true today as it was 30 years ago despite development of new and improved vaccines, new broad spectrum antibiotics, and increased fundamental knowledge as

to the cause of disease ”

Montgomery, D. 2009. Bovine Respiratory Disease & Diagnostic Veterinary Medicine. Proceedings, The

Range Beef Cow Symposium XXI. December 1, 2 and 3 2009, Casper, WY. Pages 1-6.


Bovine respiratory disease pathogens

The etiologic agents associated with BRD include viruses – bovine herpesvirus 1 – bovine parainfluenza virus 3 – bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 and 2 – bovine respiratory syncytial virus – bovine adenovirus A-D – bovine coronavirus

And bacteria – Arcanobacterium pyogenes – Manheimia haemolytica – Pasteurella multocidaa – Histophilus somni – Mycoplasma spp.


Background and Rationale

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) has been extensively studied since the 1800s, and yet it remains prevalent

More effective vaccines have not decreased the morbidity or mortality of BRD

Mortality has increased as vaccine efficiency has increased

1.4% of all US feedlot cattle perish before reaching harvest weight

Need to develop new approaches to tackle BRD

“Because of the high economic cost associated with

BRD incidence, even these modest estimates (0.11) for heritability of BRD resistance should be considered for incorporation into beef cattle breeding programs *”

* Schneider, M.J., et al., 2010. Evaluation of fixed sources of variation and estimation of genetic parameters for

incidence of bovine respiratory disease in preweaned calves and feedlot cattle. J. Anim Sci. 88: p. 1220-1228.


Newman, S. and Ponzoni, R.W. 1994. Experience with economic weights. Proc. 5th

World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. 18:217-223.

The presence of genetic variation in resistance to disease, coupled with the increased consumer pressure against the use of drugs, is making genetic solutions to animal health problems increasingly attractive.

The non-permanent effectiveness of chemical agent (due to development of resistance by the pathogen) further contributes to this interest.

Disease resistance is a very attractive target trait


Stear, M. J., S. C. Bishop, B. A. Mallard, and H. Raadsma. 2001. The sustainability, feasibility

and desirability of breeding livestock for disease resistance. Res Vet Sci 71: 1-7

In dairy cattle, selection programs have been developed to take advantage of genetic variability in mastitis resistance, despite the fact that the heritability of clinical mastitis is low and mastitis resistance has an adverse correlation with production traits

Likewise chicken breeders have long used breeding to improve resistance to avian lymphoid leucosis complex and Marek’s disease

Other animal industries have successfully targeted selection for disease resistance


Objective

To calculate the weighting (i.e. relative economic value) that should be given to selection for BRD resistance in a multi-trait selection index for Angus terminal sires.


Scenario

A 1000–cow-calf enterprise and retained ownership was assumed

All progeny of terminal sires were harvested and so no economic value was associated with maternal traits

Only phenotypes for weaning weight, feedlot average daily gain, feed intake, USDA yield grade, marbling score and BRD incidence (%) contributed to the breeding objective.

The feedlot phase was divided into three periods. The first period (backgrounding) was terminated at a weight-constant end point of 850 lb. The second (growing) and third (finishing) periods were of 50 and 100 days duration, respectively.


Assumptions

BRD occurred when calves were moved to the feedlot phase at weaning – incidence rate of 10%

the fixed cost of feedlot phase was unchanged

a dead calf incurred no feed costs

there was a 10% mortality from BRD

there was a 13% reduction in ADG (1.3 lbs/d) for the first phase of feeding (weaning to 850 lbs)

final yield grade was reduced by 0.1

the cost to diagnose and treat a BRD calf was $44


Prices, premiums and discounts used in developing the multi-trait selection index for Angus terminal sires.

Weaned calf weight (lb) $/lb $/100lb

< 350 1.21 Prime 28.07

351-400 1.15 High Choice 5.53

401-450 1.09 Choice 0

451-500 1.04 Select -10.20

501-550 1.01 Standard -20.20

551-600 0.96

>600 0.92 Yield Grade 1 3.00

Carcass weight (lb) $/100 lb Yield Grade 2 2.00

Base price 155.95 Yield Grade 3 0.00

<550 -15 Quality/Yield Grade -10.20

>950 -15 Yield Grade 5 -20.20


Results

Trait (unit) Economic

Value ($)

Genetic

SD

Relative

economic

value

(REV)

Relative

importance

(relative to

YG)

BRD incidence (%) -8424.7 7.94 -66892 37.7

Weaning wt. (lb) 241.4 41.76 10081 5.7

Feed Intake (lb/d) -5811.8 1.41 -8195 4.6

Feedlot ADG (lb/d) 27654.5 0.24 6637 3.7

Marbling score 8926.0 0.51 4552 2.6

Yield Grade -5379.2 0.33 -1775 1


Ninety percent of US cattle operations have fewer than 100 head, and most sell their cattle at auction prior to feedlot entry

This relative economic value scenario was developed to maximize the profitability of a vertically-integrated (retained ownership) production system

In reality most producers’ financial returns are tied very closely to the number of calves, a function of reproduction, and less to feedlot performance and carcass traits, and even less to bovine respiratory disease incidence.

To incentivize the inclusion of BRD resistance in selection decisions, a mechanism analogous to a calf preconditioning bonus would be needed to equitably share some of the value derived from reduced feedlot disease incidence and to compensate breeders and producers for reducing selection emphasis on other economically-relevant traits.




http://ag.arizona.edu/ANS/swnmc/Proceedings/2010/06_Galyean_2010.pdf


Parnell, P.F. 2007.

Effective value

chain partnerships

are essential for

rapid adoption of

beef genetics

technology.

Association for the

Advancement of

Animal Breeding

and Genetics.

18. 167-174 .


Use SeedstockNucleus

Commercial Feedlot Processor

DNA-assisted selection XXXX X XXXX XXXX

Parentage XX X

Recessive allele testing XX X

Control of Inbreeding XX X

Mate selection XX X

DNA-assisted management

X XX

Product differentiation XX

Traceability XX

Ideally cattle would be genotyped once early in

life and genotypes shared among production

sectors to derive the maximum value from the

fixed DNA collection and extraction costs

Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education Van Eenennaam 6/3/2011 Bovine Respiratory Disease Consortium

Integrated Program for Reducing Bovine Respiratory Disease in Beef and Dairy Cattle

Funding for this project is provided

by the National Institute of Food and

Agriculture

• Jim Womack, PD

• Alan Dabney • Scott Dindot • Noah Cohen

• Laurel Gershwin

• Terry Lehenbauer

• Cassandra Tucker

• Alison Van Eenennaam

• Holly Neibergs

• Shannon Neibergs

• Jerry Taylor

• Mike MacNeil

• Curt Van Tassell

• Milt Thomas

• Robert Hagevoort

• Tim Ross

• Mark Enns

• Chris Seabury

• Lawrence Falconer • Lauren Skow • Gary Snowder

OTHER COLLABORATORS

• Daniel Pomp (NC) • Shiela McGuirk (WI)

• Adroaldo Zanella (Norway)

?

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.watergovernance.net/images/ucdavis_logo.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.watergovernance.net/&usg=__8BprodE7_M_aP5v2SMxJUxNcXME=&h=519&w=541&sz=111&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=SYWkkILaL0lBhM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=132&prev=/images?q=uc+davis+logo&hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1

http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/62060000/graphics/arslogo.jpg


Our goal is to integrate research, education, and extension activities to develop cost-effective genomic and management approaches to reduce the incidence of BRD in beef and dairy cattle The objective of this multi-institutional project is to

reduce the incidence of bovine respiratory disease by:

• Capitalizing on recent advances in genomics to enable novel

genetic approaches to select for disease-resistant cattle

• Developing improved DNA-based tests for disease diagnosis

• Producing and delivering a variety of educational materials for

beef and dairy cattle producers, and feedlot personnel on best

management practices to reduce disease incidence

• Providing educational opportunities for undergraduate,

graduate and veterinary students to generate a future human

resource for the continued reduction in bovine respiratory

disease incidence

Bovine Respiratory Disease Consortium




BRD Coordinated Agricultural Project




BRDC Industry and Scientific Advisory Board

Heather Burrow, PhD, CEO Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genomics in Australia

Mike Engler, PhD, President, CEO Cactus Feeders Immediate-Past Chairman, Texas Cattle Feeders Association

Tom Field, PhD Director of Producer Education National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Michel Georges, DVM, PhD Professor Unit of Animal Genomics University of Liège, Belgium

Pamela Hullinger, DVM Clinical Professor Department of Medicine and Epidemiology UC Davis, CA

Harris Lewin, PhD Vice Chancellor for Research UC Davis, CA

Walter Guterbock, DVM, MS Manager, Columbia River Dairy, OR

Dan Grooms, DVM, PhD

Extension Veterinarian

Michigan State University, MI




Bovine Respiratory Disease Consortium Reverse Site Visit 11/30/2010

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS: Genetic selection for resistance to BRD coupled with improved animal health management can provide a significant, sustainable, and profitable reduction in the prevalence of BRD.

Holly Neibergs, Washington State University, Research Coordinator

The research component of this proposal will identify genetic loci and genomic rearrangements associated with BRD, and use these data to develop DNA-based BRD diagnostic tests and selection tools to identify BRD-resistant animals. Incorporating BRD into genetic evaluations and selection decisions offers a sustainable approach to reduce disease incidence. Selection for resistant animals will ultimately result in improved welfare, reduced antibiotic use and handling costs, superior production efficiency, and improved profitability.




EDUCATION HYPOTHESIS: Didactic and experiential learning approaches describing the complex issues associated with BRD in the cattle industry will be most effective in preparing students to make the management decisions needed to reduce BRD impact.

Milt Thomas, New Mexico State University, Education Coordinator

The education component will develop undergraduate courses, and offer educational and research internships to cultivate a future human resource for continued reduction in BRD prevalence. 4-H youth will be exposed to approaches to minimize BRD though participation in educational games and instruction.





EXTENSION HYPOTHESIS: An integrated multidisciplinary approach to reducing BRD will be more successful than approaches which address only one aspect of the disease or a single sector of the cattle industry.

Alison Van Eenennaam, University of California - Davis, Extension Coordinator

The extension component will employ Advisory panel guidance to develop a sustained effort to disseminate, demonstrate, evaluate and document the impact of a range of educational outreach materials and best management practices for beef and dairy cattle producers, and feedlot personnel. All educational and outreach materials will be integrated into eXtension to ensure their continued accessibility. Van Eenennaam 6/3/2011




CONCLUSIONS

Genomic may enable selection for novel traits

Need to derive relative economic value of these traits

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has recently funded two large 5-year, multi-institution grants on genomic approaches to feed efficiency and BRD

Both projects employ high-density genotyping of large numbers of animals

Both traits are valuable – especially to the feedlot sector

Will beef industry need to evolve a more vertically-integrated structure to drive investment in using genomics to make genetic improvement in feedlot traits?


Breeds/groups that can organize themselves to take advantage of the rapidly-declining cost of genotyping and capture the cumulative supply chain value derived from using genomic information for multiple purposes (selection, parentage, genetic defects, marker-assisted management, product differentiation, traceability) will be ideally positioned to fully realize the nascent potential of genomic information.

Parting thought….

The “Integrated Program for Reducing Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC)

in Beef and Dairy Cattle” Coordinated Agricultural Project is supported by Agriculture

and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2011-68004-30367 and the DNA

value determination project was supported by National Research Initiative

competitive grant no. 2009-55205-05057 (“Integrating DNA information into beef

cattle production systems”) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Documents

What weighting should be given to BRD resistance in ... · feedlot performance and carcass traits, and even less to bovine respiratory disease incidence. To incentivize the inclusion