Updated Monday, January 23, 2012

 
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Simple, low-cost and powerful genomic testing for Jersey cattle is here.

For orders placed through the American Jersey Cattle Association:

• The NEW Jersey 6K test is $30 per cow or heifer in REAP herds, and $40 per animal for non-REAP herds.

• Prices for the Jersey 50K test are $100 each for REAP herds, and $115 for all others.

The bottom line:  For a modest investment in genotyping, you can accelerate genetic progress and breed a more uniform and more consistently profitable herd.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GENOMIC TESTING

What can I test with the Jersey 6K chip? Any registered Jersey female—cow or heifer. How much will it cost me to test? The Jersey 6K test is $30 per animal for REAP herds. For non-REAP herds, the price is $40 per animal.

Is the 50K test still available? Yes. The Bovine SNP50 test costs $100 per animal for REAP herds, and $115 for non-REAP herds. Please note that the above prices for 6K and 50K tests are for orders placed through the AJCA.

What are the advantages of the Jersey 6K test?

It makes genotyping a large number of animals very economical by using a few strategically selected SNPs to represent all of the SNPs on the 50K chip. Because DNA is inherited in blocks, identifying a few ‘snips’ from each block lets scientists fill in the rest of the DNA sequence with a high degree of certainty. This procedure is called imputation, and it’s 80-90% accurate. For a technical description of the 6K chip, click here.

How do I order the Jersey 6K test, and for that matter, the 50K test?

Easy! Use the Genomic Testing Express Order System (linked from the Animal Services menu).

Or, download an Excel worksheet to submit your order, then email it or fax a print-out to 614/861-8040, Attn: Genomic Test.

If you'd like to speak to a member of the Genomics service team before you order, call 614/322-4482.

Please note that your AJCA account must be current to place an order. Tests will be billed after samples have been processed by the laboratory.

What is included in a test kit?

The kit is a one-page form preprinted with the cow or heifer’s AJCA identification. It provides instructions for collecting the hair sample. When you are ready to take the hair sample from the animal, verify the animal's ID with the one printed on the test form, collect the hair sample and tape it to the form where indicated, fold it up and seal into an envelope--one for each animal. Send by First Class mail to the laboratory address provided.

Who does the 6K and 50K genomic testing for Jerseys?

The AJCA uses the services of GeneSeek, an Illumina CS Pro certified laboratory. The lab sends the genomic data to the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory for evaluations on a monthly schedule.

How long will it take to get results back after I send in a sample?

The rule-of-thumb is to allow four weeks for samples to be processed and the evaluation completed.

How are results reported?

The Recorded Owner receives the results from the AJCA. The report will list the genomic evaluation (GPTA) and the traditional evaluation (PTA) for all traits. A result for genomic inbreeding will also be provided, with a comparison to the animal’s estimated pedigree inbreeding.

Click here for details on information included in the Genomic Evaluation Report (GER) and sample reports.

What does the AJCA do with genomic evaluations?

The AJCA adds this information to the database and the genomic evaluation becomes official. It will be published on all official AJCA reports, like performance pedigrees, and used in sale catalogs, and so forth.

Can you help me sort out prospects for testing?

Yes. A standardized report listing the top 25% of your cows AND heifers ranked by Jersey Performance Index^TM (JPI) is available (click here for example). Contact Cari Wolfe to request this report, or to discuss other options for determining which heifers and cows you want to test.

Some of the calves I want to test are not registered. Is that required?

Yes, they must be identified with the AJCA before a test kit can be sent out.

I want to test a group of heifers with the Jersey 6K chip. Do I also have to test their dams?

No. There might, however, be some cases when you choose to test dam-daughter pairs because of the opportunity to increase the Reliability of the evaluations.

Can animals with UR and J1 registry status be genotyped?

No.

What happens if the test is no good?

Failure is very rare if you follow the instructions for collecting hair samples. But if that happens, you can submit a new sample at no extra cost.

What happens to the DNA sample from my animals?

Samples will be securely stored and will be available for future use.

Will the AJCA provide services that help me use genomic information to its full potential?

Definitely. Dr. Kent Weigel is working now on JerseyMate™ with Genome-Guided Mate Selection. This will use information from 3K testing to identify chromosomes based on effects in production, herd life, udder health and fertility traits, then produce precise, gene-level matings that will accelerate your herd’s genetic progress.

Start your genomic testing program now.

A webcast airing the third Wednesday at 12:00 Noon Eastern, 11:00 a.m. Central, 10:00 a.m. Mountain and 9:00 a.m. Pacific ... click to register. Once you have registered, you will receive a reminder with a link to log in for each program.

Learn what’s new and exciting in genomics for Jersey cattle, and stay current on genomic services from USJersey:

• Each program starts with 10-minute segment on the latest in genomics testing and practical application of genomic information …

• Followed by a 20-minute program including interviews with genomics experts and breeders who have adopted the technology, followed by Q&A. Pose your questions online in real time, or submit them prior to each program by email.

THIS MONTH IN JERSEY GENOMICS will be the best half-hour you’ll spend online … whether you log in live or watch the recorded programs!