Partners invest $20M in livestock genomics research

Genome Alberta is leading a group of funding partners on two large-scale livestock genomics projects. A $12.4-million project led by researchers at the Univ of Alberta, Univ of Saskatchewan and PigGen Canada will use genomics to help reduce the impact of two of the most common diseases in commercial pig production — Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease and Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome. A second $8.2-million project, led by researchers at the Univs of Guelph and Alberta, will develop low-cost tests to determine the breeding value of cattle at a very early age, and examine the potential market barriers for adoption of these genomic technologies. Other funders include: Genome Canada, the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, PigGen, Genome Prairie, Western Economic Development and an international consortium led by the US Department of Agriculture....