Gene editing in beef cattle holds the potential to produce cattle that are immune to certain diseases, but its use and widespread acceptance may be challenged in the beef marketplace.
In the opinion of one market analyst, the pushback from consumer watchdogs over Genetically Modified Organisms in grains and legumes came because they first were introduced to benefit the farmer and not the consumer. Thus, the skeptical consumers attacked the unknown as a plot to produce cheaper, but unsafe, food.
Such could be the case with gene editing in livestock. Though the research is still in its infancy, the hue and cry against the technology could be deafening if it is not sold first to consumers as a good thing.
But the research continues since being able to shortcut the process of breeding in certain characteristics would be advantageous to breeders, backgrounders and feeders.
With that in mind, here is an article from Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist Mark Johnson that was published by OSU Extension in Cow-Calf Corner.
CRISPER
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a powerful tool for editing genomes. It allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. These “intended alterations” accomplished through editing are another potential tool in the tool box of cattle breeders. This technology is primarily useful for simply inherited traits (influenced at one locus of the genome).
CRISPR technology has many potential applications that facilitate sustainability, animal welfare and efficiency. These include:
-The opportunity to repair deleterious genetic conditions
-The opportunity to introduce naturally occurring useful alleles into breed germplasm. Specifically, to potentially bring a useful gene from one breed to another breed.
-Introduce traits that change sex ratio of heifers versus bulls.
-Enable breeding schemes to accelerate genetic progress
-Gene edits for disease resistance
PROGRESS
As of now, the successful gene edits accomplished in cattle include:
-The first gene edited beef calf with reduced susceptibility to a major viral pathogen, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)
-Knock out of the Myostatin gene to increase lean muscle yield
-Intraspecies Polled allele substitution
-Intraspecies Slick hair allele and gene for diluted coat color to improve heat tolerance
The use of this technology in the United States beef industry likely hinges on the regulatory framework imposed. On a global basis, this varies dramatically from country to country. The future of genome editing will likely be governed by the development of a fit-for-purpose, risk-based regulatory framework that fosters innovation, supports trade, creates profit potential and promotes public acceptance.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $191.43 per cwt to $192.43, compared with last week’s range of $185.00 to $190.99 per cwt. FOB dressed steers, and heifers went for $301.15 per cwt to $301.67, compared with $291.77 to $304.06.
The USDA choice cutout Monday was up $0.58 per cwt at $320.47 while select was up $1.01 at $304.82. The choice/select spread narrowed to $15.65 from $16.08 with 90 loads of fabricated product and nine loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The weighted average USDA listed wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $361.25 per cwt, and 50% beef was $86.62.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were up $0.04 at $1.50 to $1.60 a bushel over the Jul corn contract, which settled at $4.43 3/4 a bushel, down $0.06 1/4.
No delivery intentions were posted Monday for the Jun live cattle futures contract.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Friday was $255.72 per cwt, down $0.41. This compares with Monday’s Aug contract settlement of $261.32, down $0.65.