Whole rumen metagenome sequencing allows classifying and predicting feed efficiency and intake levels in cattle.

Lucas Alcantara

Lucas obtained his Bachelor’s in Biotechnology (2015) and a Master’s in Biosciences (2017) from the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. He is currently a Ph.D. student working to understand the impact of cutting-edge technologies on breeding strategies for optimum sustainable genetic progress in Canadian dairy cattle. Lucas will present the 2019 paper by Delgado et al. Whole rumen metagenome sequencing allows classifying and predicting feed efficiency and intake levels in cattle.

Reference:

Delgado, B., A. Bach, I. Guasch, C. González, G. Elcoso, J. E. Pryce, and O. Gonzalez-Recio. 2019. Whole rumen metagenome sequencing allows classifying and predicting feed efficiency and intake levels in cattle. Sci. Rep. 9:11. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36673-w. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36673-w [1].

Genetic Evaluation of Traits in a Standardized Behavioural Test for Potential Guide Dog Puppies Using Crossbred Models

Stephanie Kamalanathan

Stephanie Kamalanathan received her undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph in Animal Biology in 2018. She is currently an M.Sc. student studying dairy cattle breeding and genetics under the supervision of Dr. Flavio Schenkel and Dr. Christine Baes. Stephanie will be presenting the paper entitled, Genetic evaluation of traits in a standardized behavioural test for potential guide dog puppies using crossbred models by Evans et al. (2015).

Reference:

Evans, K., Lewis, T., Asher, L., Blythe, S., Bottomley, M., Tootill, L., Roberts, R., Whiteside, H., England, G. and Blott, S. (2015). Genetic evaluation of traits in a standardized behavioral test for potential guide dog puppies using crossbreed models. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 10(6), pp.459-464. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787815001458 [2].

Breeding Strategies to Reduce Environmental Footprint in Dairy Cattle

Colin Lynch

Colin obtained his B.Sc. in Agricultural Science majoring in Animal Science in 2018 from University College Dublin. He is currently an M.Sc student where he is looking at the development and incorporation of novel traits into Canadian breeding programs under the supervision of Dr. Christine Baes and Dr. Flavio Schenkel. Colin will present the 2013 paper titled, Breeding strategies to reduce environmental footprint in dairy cattle by Donagh Berry.

Reference:

Berry, D. (2013). Breeding strategies to reduce environmental footprint in dairy cattle. Advances in Animal Biosciences, 4(s1), pp.28-36. Available from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-animal-biosciences/article/breeding-strategies-to-reduce-environmental-footprint-in-dairy-cattle/36BA7EF6F3C0CB5F673D6ACEDC93B18F [3].