Newsham geneticist speaks at national conference
Newsham Choice Genetics Geneticist Jennifer McDonald was a featured speaker at the recent National Pork Industry Conference (NPIC) held this summer at the Wisconsin Dells.
McDonald gave the audience a review of the extensive science behind Newsham Disease Tolerance Technology, explaining the process for identifying and confirming disease tolerance markers in a population of pigs.
"Newsham Disease Tolerance Technology is a complex subject," says McDonald. "I am pleased to have had the opportunity to provide insight for producers at the national level."
The process of Newsham disease tolerance is completed in three phases: Discovery, Validation and Commercial Field Testing, McDonald explained.
Powerful Genome-Wide Discovery
- 1,100 pedigreed GX and EBX pigs in a Newsham Choice Genetics study
- Each was genotyped with more than 64,000 markers
- Disease Tolerance trait associations with more than 8,000 markers
Validation of Genome-Wide Discovery
- Comparison of powerful internal study with NCG pigs in the public study
- Genotype of case/control samples from Newsham Choice Genetics commercial pigs in PRRS outbreaks
- GX- and EBX-specific sets of about 200 markers
Initial Marker-Assisted Selection and Commercial Field Testing
- Identify markers in sets of 200 that warranted early implementation in genetic nucleus selection
- Create groups of GX and EBX boars available via semen for commercial field testing.
- The first two phases have been completed and the technology is now in the Commercial Field Testing phase.
For more information on Newsham Disease Tolerance Technology, contact your Newsham Choice Genetics representative.
