Gene find spells end to SCS

Use of DNA sequence technology by farmer co-operative Livestock Improvement (LIC) has led to the discovery of a recessive small calf gene - opening the door to managing Small Calf Syndrome out of the dairy industry.

David Hemara, acting CEO of LIC, says this is an important discovery: "Identifying the gene means we can start managing a problem which has existed on farms for decades."

Small Calf Syndrome affects mainly Holstein Friesian and crossbreeds. The incidence has been assessed at around one to two affected calves in the average 400-cow New Zealand herd a year.

Hemara says LIC's large genetics database and ongoing research let the co-operative screen 30 years of bull DNA, and pedigree records.

"That research suggests the genetic variation existed in the early 1960s, and possibly before then. We can't be sure of when or where it started," he says. "Our programme of gene discovery and DNA sequencing is improving our ability to isolate negative genes. This is a good thing for the dairy industry."

Eradicating the genetic variation is a priority for genetics companies. CRV Ambreed CEO Angus Haslett emphasised the discovery's importance "to all NZ breeding companies and farmers".

"CRV Ambreed will work with LIC to manage this genetic variation so its impact is minimised on NZ farms in the future."

Hemara says this is the latest in a range of genetic variations which have been discovered, and largely eliminated. "Diseases like CVM and BLAD used to be present in NZ herds but their incidence has been reduced, thanks to their discovery and managed removal from the national herd."