Polled gene marker test and fixed time insemination
A practical demonstration of the polled gene marker test to increase the frequency of polled progeny and the use of fixed time insemination in commercial Northern Territory herds
Contact: Trisha Cowley, formerly Northern Territory government
Where: Lakefield and Avago Station
When: 2011–2015
Objectives
- Demonstrate the practical use of the polled gene marker test to breed polled sires in nucleus bull breeding herds.
- Demonstrate the value of the polled gene marker test in identifying PP versus PH bulls (both of which can appear polled) through comparing the genotype and phenotype of progeny from PP versus PH bulls.
- Demonstrate best practice fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI).
- Demonstrate the value of FTAI in accessing high quality genetics for use in nucleus bull breeding herds.
- Increase the understanding of the inheritance of polledness, the polled gene marker test and practical considerations when breeding for polledness.
Progress to date
Lakefield Station carried out an FTAI program on 45 nucleus stud females in early 2012 using semen from 3 PP sires, with the aim of breeding polled sires for use in their commercial herd. Avago Station has selected 100 stud females for an FTAI program with PP semen planned for December 2012. They have identified another 100 commercial Brahman horned heifers to join to home bred PH bulls and 100 horned stud females to join to purchased PP sires over the 2012–2013 wet season.
News and media
To learn more please read the summary Implementation of Producer Demonstration Sites to increase research adoption and practice change in the Northern Territory and download the final report (B.NBP.0630 (PDSNT003)) (2.4 MB) from the Meat & Livestock Australia website.