The North American dairy breeding sector is providing early-stage advice to protect herds against a newly discovered and potentially fatal genetic defect affecting Holstein calves. The first official word on the defect, currently referred to as calf recumbency, came through a joint news release on April 3 from the U.S.-based Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding […] Read more
Tag Archives genetics — page 2
U.S. researchers uncover emerging Holstein genetic defect
Affected recumbency calves unable to stand after birth
Gene-edited crops clear CFIA’s regulatory bar
Agency guidance puts gene editing on level of conventional breeding
Plants gene-edited for efficient use of water or nutrients or to better withstand pests or drought now won’t have to clear the same regulatory hurdles in Canada as any crops that are modified for herbicide tolerance or include foreign genes. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Wednesday announced updated guidance from the Canadian Food Inspection […] Read more
Enzyme can switch off livestock drugs
An antimicrobial gene in bacteria creates an enzyme that can deactivate certain medications used to treat livestock
Glacier FarmMedia – Scientists have found that an antimicrobial resistance gene in bacteria collected at a western Canadian feedlot creates an enzyme that can deactivate drugs used to treat diseases in cattle and other livestock. The EstT enzyme can affect macrolides antibiotic drugs such as tylosin, also sold as Tylan, which is a common additive […] Read more
PHOTOS: A virtual tour of Comestar Farm
The internationally renowned farm has a new barn, with a new focus on milk production
Of all the dairy farms in Quebec, Comestar Holstein in Victoriaville is the most recognized throughout the world. Today, with a new generation taking up the farm, a new chapter is beginning. And what better than the construction of a new barn to mark this new stage? May 20, 2003 marked a turning point in […] Read more
The secret messages of plants
New traits enable plants to signal up to seven separate issues by emitting coloured fluorescent proteins on their leaves
Glacier FarmMedia – Crop traits are being developed that will enable plants to signal when they’re exposed to specific stressors in a way that can be instantly detected by satellite or equipment-based cameras. Shely Aronov, chief executive officer of InnerPlant, she said this new data layer these crop traits enable will help farmers to become […] Read more
Advanced corn hybrid with an RNAi trait to launch in Canada in 2023
SmartStax Pro builds on existing SmartStax trait
Glacier FarmMedia – Resistance to corn rootworm is becoming a bigger concern as populations continue to develop resistance to existing Bt Cry proteins. Three of the four proteins targeting corn rootworm are related to known cross-resistance, so a population that becomes resistant to one protein will exhibit resistance to the others. The resulting recommendation to […] Read more
Alliance Genetics Canada joins Danish market leader’s stable
Nucleus herds and semen customers gain access to DanBred genetics
Customers of Canadian swine genetics company Alliance Genetics Canada (AGC) will soon have more access to sire lines from the Danish hog industry through a new agreement that brings the Canadian company under the umbrella of the 120-year-old DanBred corporation. DanBred Canada CEO Dave Vandenbroek says it’s a match of corporate values and also of […] Read more
Climate solutions found in genes
Making hazelnut trees more cold tolerant is one of eight genomics projects funded in the province
A research program focused on genomics was front and centre at the recent summer meeting of the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC). In 2019 the organization partnered with Ontario Genomics and Genome Canada to announce $3 million in funding for eight projects that would leverage genomics technologies in the agri-food sector. “Each of the three partners […] Read more
Corn genetic heritage the strongest driver of chemical defenses against insect munchers
Science Notes: The plant, microbes and soil all play an important role
Plants release chemical distress signals when under attack from chewing insects. These “911 calls,” as entomologist Esther Ngumbi calls them, alert other bugs that dinner or a nice place to lay their eggs is available nearby. If predatory or parasitic insects detect the right signal, they swoop in to make a meal out of – […] Read more
Project creates one-stop cattle genetics database
Unified approach will make it easier for producers to access digital information
Glacier FarmMedia – A partnership led by the Canadian Beef Improvement Network plans to create a unified digital platform for the genetic data of cattle, allowing producers to more easily get information they need to improve their herds. “We know that other industries have done this and are doing it very well, and the beef […] Read more
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