1. Genomic Selection and Sustainable Cattle Production: Are the Incentives Aligned?
Ellen Goddard
Albert Boaitey, Anahita Matin, Violet Muringai, Getu Hailu (U. of Guelph)
Canadian Cattle
Genome Project

2. Whole Genome Selection through Genome Wide Imputation in Beef Cattle
Genotypes (& sequence) from a wide range of beef and dairy breeds will be used to develop accurate and robust genomic prediction equations. This can enable Canada’s beef breeders to substantially increase their rates of genetic improvement in cattle.
The context for this research is residual feed efficiency, a target because feed is typically >70% of the cost of production, and less efficient animals eat more and produce more methane which contributes to greenhouse gases.
Outcomes of the project will be
higher quality genomic selection criteria at a reduced cost for producers,
enhanced genetic improvement in the cattle industry
Increased efficiency of cattle breeding and marketing nationally and internationally

3. Structure of US Beef Industry – Canadian similar about 15-20%

4. Life Cycle Analysis

7. 0.12 g/kg (cow
live weight)/day
0.32 g/kg (steer live weight)/day

8. Between 4 and 5 % reduction

9. Analysis Producer willingness to use genomics for feed efficiency
Public willingness to pay extra for more feed efficient beef
Does either group care about the technology or is it the output that matters?

10. Impact of Genomics on Producer Decision Making
Use genomic information in female retention decision
Decision to test undertaken by farmer
Cost to producer= cost of test times number of heifers in herd which might be retained
Use genomic information in bull/semen purchase
Decision to test undertaken by seller
Cost to producer embedded in bull (infrequent) or semen purchase
Bull/semen decision bigger impact on genetics of farm livestock

11. IMPACT OF GENOMICS IN THE AI MARKET FOR YOUNG DAIRY BULLS IN CANADA
Source: link

12. Decisions Examined in This Study for Canadian dairy, beef and hog producers
Purchase Bull/Semen
With genomic information (dairy)
With genomic information on disease susceptibility (hogs)
With genomic information on feed efficiency (beef cattle)
Genotype Females
Given Genetic Test for mastitis susceptibility (dairy)
Given Genetic Test for PED and PRRS susceptibility (hogs)
Given Genetic Test for calving ease and feed efficiency (beef cattle)

13. Information provided in Bull Selection Decision
A summary of traits used in Cow calf Bull choice experiment
Traits
Levels
Genomic information on feed efficiency
Birth weight EPD(Ibs)
Weaning weight EPD (Ibs)
Feed efficiency EPD (Ibs)
Accuracy of feed efficiency EPD (%)
Price(CAN$/bull)
1= if bull has genomic information. Otherwise=0.
+10,+20,+30
-5,0,+5
-0.09,+0.1,+0.22
30,40,50,60,75
$1500,$5500,$9000
Information provided in Bull Selection Decision

14. Mean WTP Estimates: Cow-calf Producers
Trait
CL BASE MODEL
CL WITH DEMOGRAPHICS
RPL BASE MODEL
RPL WITH
DEMOGRAPHICS
 Genomic info. ($/ bull per lbs. increase in feed efficiency)
 Birthweight EPD($/bull per lbs. increase)
 Weaning Weight EPD($/bull per lbs. increase)
Feed Efficiency EPD($/bull per lbs. increase)
 Accuracy of FE EPD ($/bull per % increase)
 20.10***
***
361.72***
91.26***
60.67***
20.71***
***
344.20***
90.87***
66.33***
 15.80***
***
253.96***
90.14***
91.22***
 18.44***
***   
243.14***
89.26***
95.99***

15. Cow-calf Producer’s General Risk Attitude and WTP for Genomics
Variation in WTP for Feed Efficiency by Cow-calf Producer General Risk Attitude

16. Distribution of WTP for Genotyping of Females:
Sows, Dairy Cows and Beef Heifers
Attribute
Mean WTP for Genotyping
Hog PED
$64.57 ***
Hog PRRS
- $29.77
Dairy Mastitis
$8.44
Calving Ease
$21.88
Feed Efficiency
$60.65 ***

18. Public Response Analysis national Canadian surveys
Three basic approaches
Risk Benefit Assessment (use of genomics in selective breeding)
Stated preference for attribute and for method used to develop attribute (genomic selection versus vaccination , for example)
Referenda – which types of regulation would the public like to see

19. Risk Benefit Assessment Method
Use risk/benefit questions to assess public attitudes?

20. Genomic Information Attitudes Categorizations for Beef across Canada, UK, Germany, and France
(# of Respondents)%
Canada UK
Germany
France
Use of genomic information to increase efficiency for selective breeding in cattle
Supporters (Benefits > Risks)
388 (23.3%)
104 (25.9%)
79 (13.9%)
120 (23.7%)
Doubters (Benefits = Risks)
692 (41.6%)
160 (39.8%)
169 (33.6%)
175 (34.5%)
Opponents (Risks > Benefits)
583 (35.1%)
138 (34.3%)
264 (52.5%)
212 (41.8%)
Note: Categorization adopted from Vandermoere et al. (2011), Matin et al. (2012)

21. Stated Preference Method:Novel Products
Base Technology
Novel Technology
Steak that is produced from cattle that are more feed efficient ( reduced GHG)
Steak that is from more feed efficient cattle produced from animals bred by genomic applications compared to steak from animals that have been vaccinated to change the rumen – increase feed efficiency, reduce GHG emissions

23. Average Responses to a series of Hypothetical Referendum Questions (voting in favour comes at a price in terms of food costs)

24. Groups Identified by Risk Benefit Perceptions: Steak

27. Are the Incentives Aligned?
Assuming no premiums for feed efficient calves – fewer than 50 % of cow calf operators likely to ‘invest’ in feed efficient bulls
Fewer than 50 % of the beef consuming public likely to pay significant premiums so that there is an incentive to produce feed efficient beef for even a niche market
Cost of using technology important and something of a barrier

28. Public Policy Financial support for cow calf operators to adopt
The beef genomics scheme (BGS) is an initiative launched by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and Marine to genotype a large number of beef cows for inclusion in a genomic selection breeding program to advance genetic gain in beef. Farmer participation is voluntary but is financially supported. Each participating farmer will be asked to send hair samples, for genotyping, from 15% of his/her herd plus any natural mating bulls. The 15% of the cows will be selected by the ICBF and their identification relayed to the farmer. Each participating farmer will pay to genotype the 15% of his/her cows.
Selection of animals for use in beef genomic selection program Donagh Berry & Francis Kearney (Teagasc, Moorepark, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation)

29. Public Approaches to Reducing Environmental Impact of Meat
Proposals such as that by Chatham House to tax meat – reduce consumption – big impact on greenhouse gases?
Taxes regressive within societies – taxes regressive across developed and developing countries
Segments of the public will accept the use of technology and will pay more for product produced sustainably – also public support for research to develop such technologies

32. Cattle Partners