A NEW genotyping platform for Angus cattle, called HD50K for Angus, will be available from September 1, promising to deliver more informed selection decisions for seedstock breeders.

Angus Australia and Zoetis Genetics have worked collaboratively on the project.

HD50K for Angus is a replacement for Zoetis i50K and HD50K products that are currently available to Angus Australia members.

“Zoetis continues to invest heavily in the innovation of genomic technologies and the release of the new HD50K for Angus is another example of this continuous improvement approach,” said Zoetis Genetics manager, Daniel Abernethy.

The product enables Angus seedstock breeders to make more informed selection decisions by increasing the accuracy of the Angus BreedPlan EBVs available for their animals, particularly when animals are of a young age and for traits that are typically hard to measure.

HD50K for Angus also includes parentage verification, with the capability to conduct ‘add-on’ testing for seven genetic conditions, plus myostatin and coat colour.

Angus Australia breed development and extension manager Andrew Byrne said the new product was the next generation of the current Zoetis i50K genomic test.

HD50K for Angus includes an additional 8000 SNPS by comparison to the current i50K product, Mr Byrne said. The additional SNP content has been specifically selected to be the most informative in Angus cattle.

The HD50K innovation can be purchased from the Angus Australia website at a price of $51.45 (inc GST) – the same price as the current Zoetis i50K product.

The HD50K for Angus was one of a number of programs undertaken by Angus Australia in assisting the development and innovation of the Angus breed through research-based initiatives,” Mr Byrne said.

“HD50K for Angus is part of Angus Australia’s commitment to ensuring Angus breeders in Australia have access to world leading genetic improvement technologies,” he said.

• Information regarding the introduction of HD50K for Angus is available here.