Chair’s Corner

The development of the Canada’s program for the conservation of animal genetic resources continues to move forward with activity on a number of fronts during the summer.

The first was a meeting between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Saskatchewan. As I announced in the last issue, the University of Saskatchewan will serve as the “hub”. A number of actions and recommendations for consideration by the Steering Committee came forward from this meeting.

The recommendations included that the name of this program be “Canadian Animal Genetic Resources” or “Ressources zoogenetiques canadiennes”. Others are that AAFC will provide three new hires to be located at the University of Saskatchewan, that AAFC will provide two full time equivalents from their existing scientists. It was also recommended that industry and universities provide positions as part of the “spoke” concept through existing expertise and/or through the development of new positions through such avenues as Chair programs.

Laboratory areas have been identified at the University of Saskatchewan and tentative equipment lists developed.

Both Colleges are taking forward, through the appropriate University channels, the proposal for a graduate program in genetic conservation of domestic animals. The AAFC scientists located at the University of Saskatchewan will participate in offering this program.

In August a small working group met to study how the Steering Committee and the Foundation can best serve the new Canadian Animal Genetic Resources program. The Foundation and the Steering Committee will each consider their findings this fall.

In all, the issue of Canadian Animal Genetic Resources has received a great deal of effort from many people over the summer and I take this opportunity to say thank you for your assistance. In addition, I would like to extend a special thank you to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada who have taken a leadership role in so many ways. With the meetings of the Foundation and the Steering Committee scheduled for this fall I look forward to further substantive steps being taken on all fronts.

Roger Buckland
Chair

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Canadian Farm Animal Genetics Resources Foundation; History, Strategies and Accomplishments
Counting Our Chickens
Scientists Decry Genetic Similarity of Today’s Apples
Resource Information

THE CANADIAN FARM ANIMAL GENETICS RESOURCES FOUNDATION;
HISTORY, STRATEGIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

By: Dr. Peter Hunton, Director, Canadian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Foundation.
(Presentation To Dairy Industry Forum, September 14, 2004)

Introduction

The Foundation had its origins in the 1990’s, when it became evident that animal genetic resources, worldwide, were quickly being eroded. The original organization alerted government to the situation and at one time, a scientist within AAFC, with support staff, were assigned to the project. However, for a variety of reasons, the Foundation became less active until a change of name, and management, took place in 2001. At that time, Dr. Don Shaver became Chair, and he recruited a fresh team of Directors to lead the new body.

Why is the Foundation needed?

Canadian farmers, indeed farmers worldwide, want the best, most productive livestock and poultry they can buy. Being in a highly competitive, dynamic industry, there is constant striving for improved performance including, among other factors, greater efficiency of production, higher quality dairy products, meat and eggs, and greater resistance to contemporary diseases. Primary breeders, Artificial Insemination services and other suppliers of farm animal genetics have responded by adopting very successful breeding programs to bring about rapid and constant improvement. However, this has resulted in considerable uniformity in the genotype of stock used in the major industrial countries. The goals and objectives are similar, and so the breeding stock tends to be similar too, even though it may come from several competing sources.

In this situation, genetic diversity tends to diminish rapidly. Diversity exists in a variety of circumstances, but most share an element of instability. Hobbyists and farmers serving niche markets sometimes deliberately use traditional sources of genetic stocks rather than contemporary commercial ones. This works as long as the individuals persist in their business, but may not survive if markets change or people retire without successors.

Many unique genetic resources exist in developing countries and are valuable assets. However, they too may not survive in viable form as countries develop market economies, or are persuaded to abandon traditional breeds in favour of modern developed genotypes.
If we are to conserve any or all of these resources for possible use by future generations of farmers, positive action now is the only way to accomplish this goal.

If we are to conserve any or all of these resources for possible use by future generations of farmers, positive action now is the only way to accomplish this goal.

Examples of genetic concentration:

• Poultry Breeders have adopted modern genetic and data processing technologies to achieve the desired progress in commercial traits. These programs are costly, and so there has been a consolidation of companies. There are now three corporations holding the genetics for more than 90% of the market for egg-type breeding stock, worldwide. In meat chickens, two companies control most of the market; two more are fighting for survival. In turkeys, three companies share a small market, and one has 50% of it.
  
• Over 80 % of dairy cattle in Canada are Holsteins. At one time, over 38 000 cows in Canadian milk-recorded herds were daughters of the famous bull Starbuck. At that time, of the 32 bulls commonly used, 11 were his sons. Starbuck’s best son, Aerostar, and Aerostar’s best son, Rudolph, are at least as dominant in the breed as Starbuck was. Consequently, less than 25 years after his birth, Starbuck is represented at least once and often several times in the pedigree of more than 80 % of the Holstein calves born in Canada. We are not only losing breeds, but also losing genetic diversity within the small number of surviving breeds.
  
• The swine industry faces similar challenges, with the increasing market penetration of a handful of international breeders having almost identical selection goals, working with a limited genetic base.

What is being done?

On an international basis, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been working for several years in the area of animal germplasm conservation.

Under its auspices, the World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity has reached its third edition, published in 2000. This is a partial inventory of the world’s animal genetic resources. A complete inventory is planned by FAO for publication in 2007. Every member country, including Canada, is working on its report for this inventory.

Some individual countries have established National Animal Germplasm programs to conserve their own animal resources. An example of this is the US National Animal Germplasm Program, established about ten years ago. This organization has its headquarters in Fort Collins, CO and has already begun to collect and store semen, ova and embryos from important species. Several European countries are in various stages of development of their national programs.

What has the Foundation achieved in Canada?

In 2001 and 2002, the Foundation Directors worked hard to raise awareness of the potential problems in the livestock and poultry industries. When you look at our list of Corporate Members, you will see just how much was accomplished; we have buy-in from most species and a broad range of support, both moral and financial.

With this background, the Foundation launched a sustained campaign to persuade the Canadian government to respond to the challenge. It should be noted that Canada already has a well-financed Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Saskatoon, but until very recently, nothing comparable for animal species.

In 2003, a joint Multi-Stakeholder Committee was established, with representation from the federal Government, Universities, the Foundation and a variety of industry members. The concept of a Livestock and Poultry Germplasm Centre was discussed in detail, and a Business Plan created for presentation to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This was approved by AAFC in late 2003, and subsequently, the University of Saskatchewan has been selected as the location. As we speak, some AAFC staff are being re-assigned to the project, and new hires are contemplated. Dr. Fred Silversides, a geneticist with considerable experience in the poultry sector, has been named as Interim Leader.

Livestock and Poultry Germplasm Centre

It is anticipated that within two years, four scientists will be established in Saskatoon. This will form the “hub” of the organization, and there will be a variety of “spokes” embracing scientists in other locations. Research and development will take place in the following disciplines (and possibly others).

• Cryopreservation
• Cryogenic and reproductive biology – poultry
• Embryology
• Endocrinology and reproduction
• Functional genomics
• Population genetics
• Bioinformatics / data management
• Outreach, technical support and liaison with industry

Partnerships

Key to the success of the Livestock and Poultry Germplasm Centre is a strategic alliance with the livestock and poultry (production and breeding) industry, governments, universities, non-governmental organizations and dedicated individuals. There is a need for practical and effective systems that make use of existing resources as much as possible (e.g. on-farm storage, AI units). There is also a requirement to link and seek out expertise and resources that are relevant to conserving farm animal genetic resources.

Financial Plan

Budgets total around $8 million annually for the first four years. Most of this comes from AAFC and Universities, but there is an expectation that industry will contribute in the form of Research Chairs. The salaries of these Chairs will be funded by industry, while Universities will provide infrastructure. Industry cooperation is extremely important in securing continued support from AAFC. It also ensures that industry gets a voice in future directions and priority setting.

Future of the Foundation

While the establishment of the Centre can be seen as the accomplishment of one of the Foundation’s main goals, there is much still to be done. While the exact format remains to be discussed, the Foundation sees an important role as an advisory body and a valuable liaison with industry, through its network of members. The Foundation also has charitable status enabling it to raise funds for specific projects and purposes. Currently, a working group including the Foundation and the Multi-Stakeholder Committee is studying these issues.

Conclusions

• Canada, and indeed the entire world, needs to act now to conserve farm animal germplasm.
• The Canadian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Foundation has taken the lead in alerting industry and government to the need for a Canadian plan.
• The Canadian Livestock and Poultry Germplasm Centre will become active from its Saskatoon base within the next few months

“COUNTING OUR CHICKENS”

From Rural Delivery – July/August 2004

“Counting our Chickens” from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), is enough to get even the most casual backyard poultry producer fired up. But there’s nothing sensational about this publication, It is entirely to the point. If your looking for glossy photos, or fascinating trivia and historical information breeds- look elsewhere.

This is a brief report summarizing a recent North American census of purebred chicken breeding stock. The results, it presented here in a clear and well- organized fashion, indicate that much needs to be done to preserve the genetic diversity of poultry. And the necessary efforts far from being burdensome, represents a type of small scale farming that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, with minimum requirements for land, equipment, or capitol.

The report is jointly authored by Marjorie Bender, ALBC’s research and technical program manager: Donald Bixby, the group’s technical program director; and Dr. Robert Hawes, emeritus professor of Poultry science at the University of Maine.

A limited census, using data on a dozen pre-selected varieties of chicken breeds was undertaken in 1987. starting in 1999, the group developed a strategy to do a more comprehensive survey of all large-fowl breeds of chickens, gathering information from individuals as well as hatcheries.

Based on total population as well as number of primary breeding flocks(at least 50 breeding birds), the researchers categorized breeds as “critical” (fewer than 500 breeding birds in North America), with 5 or fewer primary breeding flocks); “rare (fewer than 1000 breeding birds, with seven or fewer primary breeding flocks); and “watch” (fewer than 5,000 breeding birds, with 10 or fewer primary breeders flocks).

Some breeds were identified as requiring further study to determine conservation status; others were classified as “recovering” based on increasing numbers, though these are still deemed to require monitoring.

Of the 20 breeds categorized as critical, nine were found to be alarmingly scarce, with fewer than 100 breeding birds and seven had no primary breeding flock. Overall, the trend is worrisome. While poultry consumption has increased in recent decades, the gene pool has shrunk considerably.
There are fare fewer independent hatcheries than there used to be, and those still in operation find it difficult to stay in business.

The authors readily acknowledge the impressive improvements that have been made to commercial poultry breeds. If economic conditions were to change such that these requirements could no longer be met, the poultry industry could find itself without the appropriate breeding stock to meet those new challenges. The valuable traits which we might regret losing, include foraging ability, hardiness, and combined meat and egg productivity. The report is available from:

American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Box 477 Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
for $16.00 U.S. plus $4.00 shipping and handling.
Email address-albc@albc-usa.org.

SCIENTISTS DECRY GENETIC SIMILARITY OF TODAY’S APPLES

From The Toronto Star, August 7, 2004

“The apple, the world’s second most popular fruit after the banana, is being selectively bred toward monotonous, boring sameness.”

The article goes on to state “ loss of diversity has become very controversial in other agricultural sectors. According to Peter Jorgensen of the Institute for agricultural biodiversity in Iowa, clone-like, genetically similar animals have eroded the genetic variation among cattle. Currently Holstein cattle make up 91 per cent of North America’s dairy herds. Jersey cattle, once popular locally, are getting quite scarce. Of the 15 North American swine breeds popular 50 years ago, eight are now extinct.”

“Only five of North America’s historical chicken breeds survive. Virtually all white eggs are produced by a single variety- White Leghorns.”

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