Genomnz™ has been providing a DNA based testing service to the deer industry for over 10 years and before that the Deer Blood Typing Service offered protein-based blood tests. We work closely with our clients and with leading AgResearch deer scientists to ensure that our service makes a difference to your breeding programme.
Pedigree recording is essential to any stud breeding business. Because recording errors are known to occur a DNA pedigree verification process is a valuable tool. Such verification ensures breeders are getting the maximum amount of genetic progress from their breeding programme and provides the added benefit of purchaser confidence. Because human interference at calving may result in mis-mothering and cross suckling is common, it was recognised early on by the Deer industry that a “hands off” approach to pedigree recording through DNA testing was more accurate.
Genomnz™ offers a comprehensive DNA parentage testing service to suit the needs of all breeders. With DNA parentage testing you can reduce the costs associated with the intensive management required during mating and calving and still make confident management decisions to ensure you retain the best performing animals in your herd. DNA parentage testing by Genomnz™ can also help to solve confusing cases of unknown parentage.
Genomnz™ also offers an elk hybrid identification test to estimate the proportion of elk in animals thought to be either typical elk or elk/red hybrids.
The standard method for collecting deer samples is by taking a hair sample. We also accept semen, blood, and tissue samples. See our sample types page for more information and sampling instructions.
The services offered by Genomnz™ for deer include:
DNA Profile
A DNA profile is the basis for all DNA parentage analysis. An animal can be genotyped and the DNA profile stored on the Genomnz™ database for future reference. This is useful for sires and dams, insurance of valuable animals and when selling or registering an animal.
Pedigree Verification
Confirms the breeder’s own pedigree records
There is always potential for errors to occur when recording your own pedigrees and DNA testing can detect these. It is particularly important to confirm that the pedigree is correct when using elite animals for ET or AI programmes and when selling or registering an animal.
Sire/Dam Match
Confirms a sire or dam is matched to an offspring
While not as powerful as a full pedigree test, this service can be very useful for breeders who multiple sire mate in order to determine the most active sires and those sires producing the best progeny. This service is also useful in cases of mis-mothering.
DNA Match
Matches up sires and dams to offspring using only mating and calving mob records
DNA-Match significantly reduces the intensive management otherwise required during mating and calving. A sample of the progeny is tested against a number of different parent combinations. To keep the cost down and increase accuracy, using mating and calving records is recommended.
Identity Test
An identity test is used to identify that a DNA sample belongs to a particular animal. The applications for this service include identifying animals that have lost their tag, insurance of valuable animals, forensic testing, product tracing, and resolving identity disputes.
Elk Hybrid Identification
The Genomnz™ G3 Hybrid Test is a highly sensitive assay designed to estimate the proportion of elk in animals thought to be typical elk or elk/red deer hybrids. From the DNA profile the proportion of elk is estimated and the results presented in the form of a Genometer™.
Please see our sample submission page for information about submitting deer samples for any of the above services or to download our submission form.