Blog about Genetic Defects

[ZNT]

I know this topic is <deadhorse>, but I still felt compelled to give my 2 cents about it in my blog.  It is amazing how many people in our industry (people in the know) still do not truly understand how these defects affect the entire livestock industry.  I am not saying we must eradicate them all immediately because I know that just isn't feasible, but there must be a conscious effort to do something about it.

I also included a very basic genetics example for all those newcomers out there that do not understand how a simple recessive gene defect works.

http://www.zntcattle.com/2011/01/conscious-effort.html

Enjoy and let the stoning begin!

 

[kfacres]

just gotta say, I sure do love that smile

 

[Joe Boy]

I am totally in agreement with you.

I do not AI to bulls that I know are carriers.  I have calves from a bull that is a spastic carrier and he will not have any keepers in our herd from now on.

The only place I see for carriers is to raise terminal cattle and not seed stock.  To perpetuate something that will harm someone who is not aware of it is immoral.

I hope you run for the AMAA, as you will have my vote.

 

[Joe Boy]

I forgot to ask, will you have your bull at Fort Worth?  I really want to see him.

 

[ZNT]

I forgot to ask, will you have your bull at Fort Worth?  I really want to see him.

He is back in Texas, but he will be busy with a bunch of girlfriends in Decatur.  I can sure take you out there sometime.  He looks very good!

We will have his full sister there at Ft. Worth though.  My daughter is showing her in the Jr. Chi Show on Friday.

 

[Bulldaddy]

ZNT, good point in your blog about the carrier cattle getting into the commercial herds through selling at the sale barn or trading with neighbors.  Something for all club calf breeders to consider.  We have a responsiblity beyond our on herds that is for sure.

 

[jphelps]

Great post Zane, I always enjoy reading them!

 

[Okotoks]

Quote from your blog which I think sums it up perfectly.
"The typical commercial man does not have the time to keep track of every genetic defect out there, nor do they have the money to test their entire herd for every defect that comes along. And they should NOT have to!
It is the moral responsibility of seedstock producer and multiplier herd to reduce, or even better, eliminate genetic defects from their breed."
(thumbsup)
That is an excellent commentary but unfortunately the word "responsibility" stumps a lot of people!

 

[SWMO]

My thoughts exactly

 

[ZNT]

I've alluded to this in a past post concerning cloning, but I do find it disheartening that many of the bulls we are seeing cloned these days are defect carriers, ie. Heatwave and Monopoly. And the reason for them being cloned is due to the fact that the original bulls can not keep up with the huge demand for their semen.  How much of this defect genetics are we pumping into the cattle world by just these 2 sires alone, not to mention the 100+ A.I. sires out there out of these 2 bulls.

 

[herfluvr]

I've alluded to this in a past post concerning cloning, but I do find it disheartening that many of the bulls we are seeing cloned these days are defect carriers, ie. Heatwave and Monopoly. And the reason for them being cloned is due to the fact that the original bulls can not keep up with the huge demand for their semen.  How much of this defect genetics are we pumping into the cattle world by just these 2 sires alone, not to mention the 100+ A.I. sires out there out of these 2 bulls.

Cloning does not (IMO) move any breed or species forward if the gene pool is continully saturated with the same genes.  Sets the stage for a who new set of genetic mutations.  Cloning keeps us in the present.  I would like to move forward. 

 

[jphelps]

I've alluded to this in a past post concerning cloning, but I do find it disheartening that many of the bulls we are seeing cloned these days are defect carriers, ie. Heatwave and Monopoly. And the reason for them being cloned is due to the fact that the original bulls can not keep up with the huge demand for their semen.  How much of this defect genetics are we pumping into the cattle world by just these 2 sires alone, not to mention the 100+ A.I. sires out there out of these 2 bulls.

Cloning does not (IMO) move any breed or species forward if the gene pool is continully saturated with the same genes.  Sets the stage for a who new set of genetic mutations.  Cloning keeps us in the present.  I would like to move forward. 

And it seems,IMO, like the ones they are cloning are not only just defect carriers, but also do not pass on the maternal traits needed to produce a good cow. Ie Heatwave, it seems like any daughter of his I have read about have been a donor because they can't milk to save their lives. Another thing is before the two clones monopoly semen was upwards of $100. (correct me if I'm wrong there) I understand there is a demand for him but I heard that his semen quality is pretty low, why would that be something you want to pass on? You spend all this time effort and money into an animal who will most likely never bring back what you put into it. What if because the gene pool being so small there ARE new mutations, just one more thing you have to worry about when breeding your cattle. Okay there's my two cents.

 

[herfluvr]

 
[/quote]
And it seems,IMO, like the ones they are cloning are not only just defect carriers, but also do not pass on the maternal traits needed to produce a good cow. Ie Heatwave, it seems like any daughter of his I have read about have been a donor because they can't milk to save their lives. Another thing is before the two clones monopoly semen was upwards of $100. (correct me if I'm wrong there) I understand there is a demand for him but I heard that his semen quality is pretty low, why would that be something you want to pass on? You spend all this time effort and money into an animal who will most likely never bring back what you put into it. What if because the gene pool being so small there ARE new mutations, just one more thing you have to worry about when breeding your cattle. Okay there's my two cents.
[/quote]

The cattle industry needs to look a bit at the horse industry.  There are genetic diseases that are being traced back to just a few stallions.  Herda in the cow horse industry is hideous.  HYPP in the pleasure horse/halter are horses that drop over dead, cannot be used for any breeding purposes and suffer seizures.  Is too much of a  "good thing" really the direction the industry needs to go?  We have a TH carrier in our herd.  Yep it's a heatwave.  She mother's OK but we will need to breed her to a purebred to keep the calves martketable.  After having a calf that while he stood he was the coolest calf ever and then when he moved he had to drag his hindquarter to go a few feet, we will not purchase another show heifer carrying a known genetic defect.  How many show people will say that?  Sticking to the purebreds.  Not 5% , not 3/8ths, not half-bloods-100% Herf