DNA testing for increased FE resistance can complement existing FE prevention and control methods such as zinc treatment.
The FE'nd™ DNA markers apply to Holstein Friesian or Jersey Cattle and are offered as part of the Genomnz™ dairy parentage test (or as a stand-alone service).
Farmers can make selection decisions for their own herd situation, by including FE Breeding Values when selecting cows and heifers.
By beginning selection now, you can start to build a more resistant herd. Using the FE'nd™ DNA markers you can make decisions which will reduce susceptibility, and increase animal welfare and production.
- FE'nd™ is the first DNA test for resistance to Facial Eczema (FE) in dairy cattle
- FE'nd™ complements existing FE prevention and control methods
- FE'nd™ DNA test plus parentage markers can be applied to Holstein Friesian or Jersey Cattle
- FE'nd™ Breeding Values can assist in animal selection, in the same way as, for example, protein yield BVs assist the farmer with breeding decisions
For more information:
Scientific Information
Economic value of FE'nd™
Brochure
EFFECTS OF FACIAL ECZEMA
FE is caused by a fungal toxin, sporidesmin. It is found mainly in summer/autumn pastures in the North Island of New Zealand. Resistance to the toxin is inherited.
The toxin causes liver injury in susceptible cows, with negative effects on milk production. It can be lethal. The degree of liver injury can be determined by analysing the GGT enzyme activity in blood samples.
An animal carrying all the favourable DNA marker copies will be more resistant to FE. For example, in Jerseys, the GGT levels will be 48% lower on average, with lower milksolids losses during the FE season.
BREEDING VALUE
The Breeding Value (BV) of an animal is the value of that animal as a parent; this concept can apply to a bull, cow, yearling or calf.
The dairy industry’s Animal Evaluation Unit already publishes BVs for a series of production and other traits, and the BV for FE resistance has the same meaning. BVs are calculated from a combination of performance data on an animal and its relatives, pedigree data, and DNA marker or gene data where available.
Since high GGT enzyme levels indicate more susceptible animals, and low GGT levels indicate more resistant animals, the BVs for FE resistance are more favourable when they are negative.
In the Animal Evaluation Unit, the BV for each trait is then multiplied by its Economic Value to come up with a dollar value. The Economic Value for FE is negative.
WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?
The AgResearch Team, with research investment from Dairy NZ, Meat & WoolNZ, Foundation for Research Science & Technology (NZ), and AgResearch, have discovered DNA markers that can be used for genetic selection for resistance to FE.
These markers together with existing DNA parentage markers are being commercialised by Genomnz™, AgResearch’s DNA commercial testing service.
Please see our sample submission page for information about submitting dairy cattle samples or download our submission form.