widewhiteblaze

This project is funded by a grant from NCR-SARE (North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education). Here is an overview of the project:

Vertical integration of agriculture has dangerously reduced genetic variation among breeds used in commercial operations. Though benefits of biodiversity are often overlooked, there are farmers and organizations interested in preserving rare and endangered breeds for future generations. A constraint faced by many is the lack of pedigree data available for these breeds, which makes planning matings to avoid inbreeding difficult. Inbreeding increases homozygosity, therefore reducing genetic variation. Inbreeding often leads to the appearance of undesirable or deadly homozygous recessive traits which reduce a breed’s viability. This project focuses on increasing interest in rare pig breeds by expanding the genetic knowledge available to producers and the public. The main outcomes of this project are: 1) Establish relationships among animals without pedigree data; and 2) Proved producers with information regarding genetic variation in order to preserve rare breeds for future generations. Three viable, rare pig breeds with little or no pedigree data will be selected for evaluations. After collecting and genotyping DNA samples, relationships will be established for animals within these breeds of swine. Accurate relationship data will allow producers to plan matings to maintain genetic diversity. Greater genetic variation will allow rare breeds to remain viable for future generations, providing farmers opportunities for niche marketing. A follow up with producers involved in this project will evaluate how the relationship data and genetic information has aided their reproductive management.

This project has three main goals resulting in positive outcomes for the livestock industry: 1) Conduct survey of viable rare breeds; 2) Determine relationships among animals which do not have pedigree data available; 3) Compare alleles among rare breeds and with those of common breeds to establish which breeds provide the greatest level of genetic diversity.

As a participant in this project, you will receive genetic information on your animals selected for the study as well as a detailed final report on the project.

This project will not cost you anything to participate, and the DNA samples may be collected in a variety of ways (hair, blood, tissue from ear notching or tail docking) allowing you to select the method that will be least invasive and works best with your operating procedures.

We have 3 really nice gilts left for sale this spring.  Give us a call and take them home with you.  We will have non related boars in the fall.

We do have lots of ducks for sale!!!!