1. Understanding Genetics For Use In For Use In Goat Production Goat Production Dr. Dennis Onks Director Middle TN Research Center University of Tennessee

2. PHENOTYPE AN ANIMAL’S VISUAL EXPRESSION OR PERFORMANCE IN ANY TRAIT The Phenotype is the outcome of Genetic Transfer as developed in a production Environment

3. PHENOTYPE Defined as the sum of the genetic and environmental variation The Genetic variation accounts for 25% of The Phenotype while the Environment Accounts for 75%!

4. Sound Breeding Program Maximum Genetic Improvement occurs In a Herd Environment that allows the Improved Genetics to be Expressed

5. Sources of Environmental Variation 1.Weather 2.Land Topography 3.Structural Resources 4.Forages and Feeding 5.Health and Sanitation

6. How Traits are Inherited Genetic Variation is the study of All body cells contain “Blueprints” with instructions as to how an animal will look or act etc.All body cells contain “Blueprints” with instructions as to how an animal will look or act etc. DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid contains the genes of traits in the double helix ribbons located in every cellDNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid contains the genes of traits in the double helix ribbons located in every cell

7. GENE The combination of genes are attached to chromosomes which guide the animal to express A trait or response http://library.thinkquest.org

8. Species differ in chromosomes Humans 23 pairs of chromosomes Cattle 30 pairs of chromosomes Sheep27 pairs of chromosomes Swine19 pairs of chromosomes Chicken 39 pairs of chromosomes Goat30 pairs of chromosomes Horse16 pairs of chromosomes

9. How Traits are Inherited The science of ½’s since each living animal receives a Sample ½ of its genetics from its father and a sample ½ of its genetics from its mother. of its genetics from its mother. The process of halving is done by Meiosis

10. Gene Dominance One Gene overshadows The expression of its other pair (allele other pair (allele) WW and Ww = White We’re heterozygous (different) (different)

11. Recessive Genes The gene that is overshadowed by a dominant gene. Recessive genes can only be expressed when they both are presentThe gene that is overshadowed by a dominant gene. Recessive genes can only be expressed when they both are present RED COAT COLOR = ww We’re Homozygous (the same)

12. QUALITATIVE TRAITS TRAITS THAT ARE AFFECTED BY A SINGLE OR A FEW PAIR OF GENES COAT COLOR TEETHHORNS

13. QUANTITATIVE TRAITS TRAITS AFFECTED BY NUMEROUS PAIRS OF GENES PAIRS OF GENES The thousands of genes present make countless combinations possible in an animal. Since genes are too small to identify individually, they express their presence by such outward effects as differences in growth, carcass or reproduction traits

14. Quantitative Traits (cont’d) Growth traits Birth weight Weaning weight Yearling weight Growth rate (ADG) Frame size Carcass traits Rib eye area Fat thickness Marbling Reproduction traits fertility/adaptability

15. Is the buck on the left bigger because he had better genetics for growth or because he was provided a better environment? Which buck has the best genetics for growth?

16. IMPROVEMENT OF ANY TRAIT DEPENDS: MEASURING DIFFERENCES IN A TRAIT ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING SUPERIOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE TRAIT USING SUPERIOR INDIVIDUALS AS PARENTS HOW HERITABLE THE TRAIT IS (heritability)

17. What is Selection? Choosing animals to be parents for the next generation to produce certain characteristicsChoosing animals to be parents for the next generation to produce certain characteristics Low Birth weightLow Birth weight Heavier Weaning WeightHeavier Weaning Weight Gaining FastGaining Fast Horned or PolledHorned or Polled TemperamentTemperament Better Eating QualityBetter Eating Quality

18. Heritability(h 2 ) Reproduction fertility,etc. Reproduction ProductiongrowthProductiongrowth ProductcarcassProductcarcass LowLow ModerateModerate HighHigh (Heritability is a measure of how a trait will respond to selection) Percentage of the differences (measured or observed) in a trait between animals that are transmitted to the offspring.

19. Table 1. Heritability Estimates for Goat Traits By Dr. An Peischel @ 2001  Low Heritability (10-20%)  Moderate Heritability (25-45%)  High Heritability (50-70%) Low Heritable Traits Birth Interval5-10% Number Born15% Rear Legs15% Udder Support20% Reproduction15%

20. Table 1. Heritability Estimates for Goat Traits By Dr. An Peischel @ 2001  Low Heritability (10-20%)  Moderate Heritability (25-45%)  High Heritability (50-70%) Moderately Heritable Traits Birth Weight30-40% Weaning Weight20-30% Yearling Weight40% Feed Conversion40% Quality Grade40% Ribeye Area40-45% Muscling40-45%

21. Table 1. Heritability Estimates for Goat Traits By Dr. An Peischel @ 2001  Low Heritability (10-20%)  Moderate Heritability (25-45%)  High Heritability (50-70%) Highly Heritable Traits Mature Weight65% Milk Fat55% Stature, Frame45-50% Carcass Weight45-50% Scrotal Circumference50%

22. Selection for traits is Impacted by the Correlation(r 2 ) Between Traits Genetic Correlation measures the genetic association between traits Phenotypic Correlation measures the local or environmental association between traits Correlation ranges in value of +1.0 to –1.0 (indicates the direction of association)

23. Phenotypic Correlations Body WT Length Heart Girth Backfat Loin Area Length Heart Girth Backfat Loin Area Scrotal Circumference Kidding Difficulty -.50 +.92 +.97+.87 +.60+.45+.51 +.90+.74+.89+.79 +.86+.87+.77+.51+.67

24. Use of Heritability and Correlations Selection for Weight makes moderate progress (h 2 =40-65%) Positive Correlation (r 2 =+.50) between birth, weaning and carcass traits means Selection will result in increases in all three traits.

25. Use of Heritability and Correlations Selection for Weight makes moderate progress (h 2 =40-65%) Negative Correlation (r 2 =-.50) between Weight and Kidding Difficulty means Selection will result with increased Kidding Difficulty and birth, weaning and carcass weight.

26. ConsumerConsumer PackerPacker FeederFeeder Commercial producerCommercial producer Purebred BreederPurebred Breeder Each section may have differing trait criteriaEach section may have differing trait criteria Selection for the Industry

27. CONSUMER Price/ ValuePrice/ Value ConsistencyConsistency HolidaysHolidays Taste/ FlavorTaste/ Flavor Safety/ HealthSafety/ Health

28. PACKER Dressing PercentDressing Percent Quality GradeQuality Grade Yield GradeYield Grade

29. FEEDER HealthHealth GainGain Feed EfficiencyFeed Efficiency

30. Commercial or Purebred Producer ReproductionReproduction Maintenance CostMaintenance Cost GrowthGrowth –Weaning –Yearling

31. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE TRAITRELATIVEIMPORTANCE REPRODUCTION 2 PRODUCTION 1 PRODUCT 1

32. HeritabilityReproductionReproduction ProductionProduction Product Product LowLow Moderate Moderate HighHigh (Heritability is a measure of how a trait will respond to selection) “or how well the offspring resemble their parents phenotype”

33. MEASURABLE TRAIT (Phenotype) GENETIC EFFECTSGENETIC EFFECTS –½ GENETICS FROM BUCK –½ GENETICS FROM DOE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTSENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS –WEATHER –NUTRITION –HEALTH –Etc.

34. Measures of Phenotype P = G + E Birth weights Weaning weights Yearling weights Carcass Traits Reproductive traits Adaptability

35. Measures of Phenotype P = G + E Requires:1. Identification of animals 2. Equipment to record trait measure 3. Record Keeping System 4. Computer with Spreadsheet is economical and recommended

36. Genetic Evaluations Phenotypes and Pedigrees Objective: convert data into genetic information for the purpose of selection Separate genetic portion of phenotype from environment. environment.

37. 90 DAYS OLD90 DAYS OLD ON FARM “A”ON FARM “A” BUCKBUCK 2 YR DOE2 YR DOE 105 DAYS OLD105 DAYS OLD ON FARM “A”ON FARM “A” BUCKBUCK 4 YR DOE4 YR DOE WHAT ARE THE KNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS? 41 lbs 38 lbs

38. AGE AGE - 15 DAYS + 15 DAYS AGE OF DOE AGE OF DOE 2 YR OLD 4 YEAR OLD FARM SAMESAME Known Environmental Effects 680 650

39. Adjusted 90 day wt. formula (Actual Wt - Birth wt) Age in days X 90 + doe age adj. + birth wt Breed associations are calculating adjustments as they accumulate data from the breeders

40. Adjusted 90 day wt. (41 –8) 90 days 90 days X 90 + 5 + 8 (42 – 7) 105 days X 90 + 0 + 7 = 45.999 Lbs. = 36.999 Lbs.

41. Contemporary Group Ratios adj. 90 day wt Herd Avg. = 36Herd Avg.= 36 Ratio = 39/36Ratio = 37/36 108102.8 39 37 Useful for within herd selections but not between herds Buck A Buck B

42. We must expect differences between animals across different environments animals across different environments

43. Future Genetic Evaluations Source of data Ancestors Collateral relatives Descendents Own performance Correlated traits

44. (EPD)-Expected Progeny Difference A prediction of the genetics a goat will pass on to his kids, when compared to other goats within the breed Takes into account the actual measurements, all ancestral measurements and environment Not a perfect science, so use as a risk management tool

45. College Football BCS Purpose is to identify best college football teams Source of Data Source of Data : AP ranking USA Ranking Record Strength of schedule etc. Ranking changes as more games are played

46. National Goat Evaluation Breed Specific Breed summaries report EPDs EPDs. Expected Progeny Difference And Breeding Values The American Boer Goat Association, American Dairy Goat Association, National DHI Program

47. Interpreting EPDs Provide a prediction of future progeny performance of one individual compared to future progeny of another individual within a breed for a specific trait. Allow one to compare or rank the genetic superiority of individual animals within a breed for a specific Trait. EPDs are reported in the actual unit that the trait is Measured (Lbs. for growth traits). They can be positive or negative numbers

48. Effective EPDs: Examples Scrotal Circumference (SC) High SC bucks sire does with earlier Puberty Birth Weight (BW) Low BW bucks have more live kids Average Daily Gain (ADG) Allows choice for replacements or sale of weanlings Carcass Merit (CM) Allows choice for direct or wholesale Marketing

49. Array of genetic value of an individual (EPD), adjusted trait performance Avg Avg.

50. Difference in Array for two Bucks Full Brothers have a sample 1/2 genetics of buck & of the doe but Not necessarily the exact same genetics

51. HOW ABOUT a BREAK?

52. How do you use genetic tools in a selection program ? Start by using available information Evaluate Goat Breed Characteristics that Appear to fit your marketing plan

53. Average Breeding Values of Six Dairy Goat Breeds BreedMilkFatProtein Alpine00.0 LaMancha-114-0.7-1.3 Nubian-5314.4-1.9 Oberhasli-476-15.7-14.3 Saanen600.81.9 Toggenburg-18-6.4-.35

54. AlpineLaMancha Nubian You would expect 114 and 531 pounds less milk From LaMancha and Nubian as compared to Alpine

55. Oberhasli Saanen Toggenburg When compared to Alpine, you would expect 60 lbs more Milk for Saanen, 476 lbs less milk from Oberhasli and 18 lbs less milk from Toggenburg

56. Infant Meat Goat Industry Breed Associations are growing Members are sending data through membership Information is increasing Most selections must come from individual and herd data

57. Infant Meat Goat Industry Majority of information reports data on Spanish (brush), Boer, Kiko, San Clemente, Myotonic (fainting) and crossbreds This data provides ranges for comparison Emerging breed associations will help supply needed breeding values

58. Common Meat Goat Breeds KIKO Spanish BOER San Clemente

59. Boer Buck Performance Test (Langston Univ. & Okla. State Univ., 2004) Total Gain (lbs) 53.127.5-68.2 Average Daily Gain (lbs per day) 0.630.33-0.81 Feed Efficiency (lbs of feed per lb of gain) 6.85.1-9.3 Loin eye area (square inches) 1.951.29-2.54

60. Growth Performance (Langston Univ., 2003) DM intake (lb/day) Avg Daily Gain (lb) Feed Efficiency (adg/dm feed) Alpine1.560.130.339 Angora1.050.130.61 Boer1.530.190.559 Spanish1.130.080.32

61. Carcass Performance (Texas A&M Univ, 1999) FeedlotRangeFeedlotRange Live Wt83.9745.1273.7440.52 Carcass Wt 47.7822.042.3319.25 Back Fat.047.012.028.012 Type11.423.258.331.83 Marbling3.351.703.061.80

62. Common Fibre Goat Breeds Angora Cashmere

63. Mohair Production & Value YearGoats Clipped (1000 hd) Production (1000 lbs) Price per Unit (US $) Value of Production (1000 $) 20032832,1741.583,435 20022832,1741.583,432 20014022,6284.0010,609 20004442,8963.0010,016 19997005,0452.0012,562 19989316,8142.0015,341

64. Putting it Together at this Point Develop Marketing Plan Use Breed Characteristics Evaluate Breeding Values Gather herd performance data Compare Animal Performance Develop Record System

65. Genetic Selection or Breeding Plans Interpreting Adjusted Performance Traits These tools predict the average value of genetic ability offered by an animal.

66. Available Breeding Tools First: Pedigree Evaluations Second: Use of Heterosis Third: Trait Calculation & Indexes

85. 100 Different Breeds of Goats Worldwide

88. Use Genetic Tools and Breeding Values or EPDs When Available Identify bucks that will contribute to Improvement in economically important traits

89. PERFORMANCEBENCHMARKS What is the current level of herd performance? What direction (if any) should the herd move?

90. Single Most Important Trait In The Goat Industry ??

91. REPRODUCTION

92. THIRD Measure of Production/ Reproduction Lbs kid weaned / doe exposed = % kid crop weaned X avg. wn. Wt. Prorates total lbs. kid weaned across all does maintained Best measure of productivity

93. THIRD Lbs. Kid Weaned / Doe Exposed % kid crop Avg. W.W Avg. W.W. Lbs. / doe 1203946.8 3940.9 1053940.9 95 39 37.1 85 39 33.2 85 39 33.2

94. Where Can I Find Quality Data ? Individual herd Owners Breed Associations National Dairy Program

95. Establish Benchmark of Production Determine which traits need improvement Select for that trait(s) BW= birth weight WW= weaning weight SC= scrotal circumference Adaptability

96. Identify How to Use Different Bucks for Different Purposes Produce Replacement Does Terminal Cross Bucks Kidding Ease Bucks Carcass Merit Bucks

97. Remember Genetic Correlations (Antagonisms)  Milk production, Growth rate (size)  vs. Fertility  vs. Maintenance requirements  Quality vs. Red Meat Yield  Growth rate and Calving ease  Birth weight vs. Yearling weight

98. Use Trait Qualities HeritabilityHeterosis ReproductionLOWHIGH (fertility) ProductionMODERATEMODERATE (growth) ProductHIGHLOW (carcass)

99. -1.1 22 18 43.48 A B C D Which is the “BEST Buck”?

100. 5. 7 47 11 90.09 -1.1 22 18 43.48 Breed Avg. 11.5 42 33 150 A B C D Brth Ww SC M Pick Your Buck B=10, W=35, S=39, M=130 B=12, W=42, S=40, M=155 B=11, W=38, S=33, M=160 B=15, W=45, S=41, M=170

101. GOOD BUCK? Don’t Buy a “Billy in a Cart” USE A Source of Quality Information

102. Preliminary Selection on Performance Then FOCUS on: -Structural Soundness -Temperament -Scrotal Circumference -ect

103. STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS Skeletal design & how well the bones support the animal’s body Related to Longevity And Adaptability FEET LEGS

104. Correct Structures Angle of Pastern is usually the same as Angle of Shoulder

105. Breeding Systems  Develop your Marketing Plan  Choose your breeds: Breeding Values and Characteristics  In a crossbreeding system, balance the characteristics of the breeds used.  Choose Bucks with performance data. Use EPDs when available.

106. Systematic crossbreeding has benefits. –Heterosis; Complementarity Planning is critical. –Use EPDs when available. Crossbreeding is NOT a substitute for poor management. Crossbreeding Considerations

107. Action Plan Selection Action Plan Selection Considerations  Use Breeding Values as a selection tool when available.  Target kidding difficulty, growth and doe size genetics to match environment.  Know your market ---  Know your market --- what your herd will “produce” “consumer-focused”  Adopt a “consumer-focused” mindset towards carcass merit (avoid misfits).  Characterize strengths and weaknesses.

108. Consumers will shape our future and set the Pace!