NEW Policy on Sire DNA
NSR has updated policy on sire DNA requirements for recorded litters, effective Jan. 1, 2010. This change applies primarily to situations where a sire has died or was culled before DNA was collected, but also to instances where the DNA lab is unable to obtain a test result due to poor DNA quality. Since Jan. 1, the following must be met to satisfy the sire DNA requirement in instances where a quality sire DNA sample is not available:
a. A minimum of four pigs from the litter must be tested and subsequently banked. If there are less than five head in the litter, 100 percent of the litter must be tested.
b. For litters recorded out of AI Hampshire boars, this requirement also includes the color testing requirement.
c. All financial obligations for meeting sire DNA requirements are the responsibility of the member/firm issuing the AI certificate. Also, remember all sires must be documented free of the stress gene by an approved DNA lab, and all DNA cards will automatically be sent to the lab for stress testing, unless stress results are submitted with the blotter card.
Tests cannot be done overnight, so plan accordingly for registrations and show or sale deadlines.
DNA Sire Requirements
As the result of a NSR Executive Committee decision, all sires must be DNA banked before any litters can be recorded, effective with all litters farrowed after July 1, 2002. This new requirement will provide for the establishment of an incredible DNA data bank for the four NSR breeds, as well as help us in our effort to maintain breed purity.
This decision was made after much discussion, and was the result of a recommendation from the NSR Shows and Services Advisory Board, where it passed unanimously. All segments of our industry have weighed in on this issue, and it appears to be helpful for all members in the long run. Through the establishment of this DNA resource bank, Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire and Landrace breeders will have access to the largest and most-diverse DNA parentage bank in the industry.
As we continue to uncover more information about the genetic make-up of our hogs, and as the genetic map is more clearly defined, NSR members will be in a position to take advantage of any new discoveries that may impact genetic selection in the future. Whether it might be in the area of pork quality, disease resistance or production traits, the development of new genetic markers can quickly be matched to our existing genetic lines. It will position our breeds to once again be the leader in genetic improvement.
In addition to the selection opportunities it provides, this DNA data bank will also help maintain the purity and integrity of our breeds. This data bank might be utilized to verify the parentage of a pedigreed barrow that was named champion at a major show. On the other hand, it might be used to help a breeder, who after losing his breeding records, needs to use the DNA genotypes to match up offspring on some matings. Regardless, this DNA information will be a valuable resource to all of our breeds and members.
In an effort to minimize the expense and time required for this new regulation, your NSR Executive Committee has approved the use of “blotter cards” for the collection of this DNA material. Rather than contacting your veterinarian to draw blood from each of your sires, you will simply prick the ear of your animal and dab a small amount of blood on a blotter card, and submit to the NSR office for storage. There will be a nominal fee of $10 for each sample submitted to help defray the costs of the blotter card and storage records.
Please contact the NSR office to request the blotter cards for your boars that need to be DNA banked. If you have any questions please contact Darrell Anderson or Mike Paul at the NSR office.
