Design and Demonstration of a High Throughput DNA Tracking System for Genetic Improvement and Brand Verification in the Canadian Beef Industry

• Author / Creator

  Devani, Kajal

• The Canadian beef industry today is challenged to adapt to climate change and to produce quality beef more efficiently, using fewer resources and with less impact to the environment. Competing protein sources have integrated their supply chains and applied genetic selection to increase efficiencies dramatically. Creating vertical linkage and increasing integration in the Canadian beef supply chain may be an opportunity to meet production challenges. A practical DNA tracking system was designed and demonstrated as a potential solution for the Canadian beef industry. High throughput SNP technology was used to create links between 1,237 feeder calves from multisire pastures, and their performance records, to their respective sires for the purpose of genetic improvement. Subsequent producer breeding decisions were based on Sire Production Summaries generated for their bulls. As an added value this system also delivers DNA traceability on beef products, enabling label verification and expansion into markets demanding traceability.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Traceability
  • Genetic improvement
  • Beef

• Graduation date

  Spring 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3C24QV2B

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.