ViaLactia's bovine program is breeding easy-care cows that meet the needs of New Zealand's future dairy farms.
ViaLactia's bovine research program is based on a 'phenotype first' approach in which we first identify animals within the New Zealand dairy population with valuable milk production, health or fertility characteristics and subsequently identify the gene (or genes) underlying the favorable traits. We have successfully applied this strategy to identify two genes, Quantum® and Optimum®, which are currently being commercialised.
We aim to provide innovative solutions to real problems within the dairy industry. Consequently, we rely heavily on interest from the New Zealand dairy farmer. Farmers in New Zealand are highly motivated to assist in research that will advance their industry. Farmers are very well informed of advances in genetics, are interested in the potential of the technology, and are our best identifiers of interesting phenotypes.
Friesian Jersey Crossbred Trial
One of ViaLactia's key bovine projects is the Friesian Jersey crossbred trial. This is a QTL detection and gene discovery experiment designed to identify the genetic differences between the Holstein-Friesian and Jersey breeds for traits of economic importance to the dairy industry. The QTL mapping population consists of 850 F2 Holstein-Friesian x Jersey cows, born over two years and managed through up to 4 lactations.
Outliers
Our second major platform is the Outliers trial. This is a screening programme to capture the full range of bovine diversity in the New Zealand national herd that can be to the benefit of the dairy industry. We seek out animals which vary wildly from normal economic, agronomic or production traits and analyse the underlying genetic reasons for the differences. We can then use this knowledge (and the animals) as the basis for step changes in the New Zealand dairy industry, establishing new lines with commercially useful milk characteristics and understanding more fully the genetic basis of milk production.
BoviQuest Science
BoviQuest's research is targeted at understanding the bovine genome at the molecular level. This will allow a quicker conventional breeding of cows for a more effective dairy and beef production. The BoviQuest research programme aims to produce high performing, easy care cows, which have increased productivity, improved reproductive performance, and improved animal health performance. BoviQuest also targets new or enhanced dairy products, through changes in milk composition. The Friesian Jersey Crossbred trial is being conducted through BoviQuest.
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