To keep pace with increased global demand for wheat, new technologies must be developed and deployed to accelerate and improve the efficiency of selection. The wheat DNA sequence holds the key to genetic improvements that will allow growers to meet the increasing demands for high quality food and feed produced in an environmentally sensitive, sustainable, […]
CTAG: Canadian triticum advancement through genomics Read More »
Bees play a major role in agriculture yet have been under decline. Major colony losses are largely attributed to bee-specific infectious diseases and even though some diseases can be controlled using chemical pesticides, many of the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mites responsible are finding ways to resist these. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the combination
Next generation integrated pest management tools for bee keeping Read More »
The global exploitation of petroleum reserves has enabled modern industrialization, but the depletion of hydrocarbon reserves presents a significant limitation to current raw material and energy supply. The Canadian Government has established a Renewable Fuels Strategy, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by mandating an average 5% renewable fuel content in gasoline for
POPCAN: Genetic improvement of poplar trees as a Canadian bioenergy feedstock Read More »
Climates are changing more rapidly than forests can adapt on their own. However, the tremendous genetic variation within widespread native tree species can be used to pre-adapt the hundreds of millions of trees planted each year in western Canada to climate change. Natural populations are locally adapted to temperature and moisture regimes, and they differ
AdaptTree: Assessing the adaptive portfolio of reforestation stocks for future climates Read More »
The two most common and costly diseases in commercial pig production in Canada are Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD) and Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS). Together, they cost the Canadian pig industry $100 million in losses every year. This project seeks to provide new diagnostic tools to select for pigs that are genetically less
Applications of genomics to improve swine health and welfare Read More »
Genetic improvement can help cattle producers meet growing production demand through the revolutionary advances made possible by completion of the bovine genome sequence. This project aims to deliver genomic technology to Canada’s beef breeders that will enable them to substantially increase their rates of genetic improvement, a key determinant of producer profitability and product quality.
Whole genome selection through genome-wide imputation in beef cattle Read More »
Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a major food borne human pathogen causing disease worldwide. Cattle have been recognized as the primary reservoir for this pathogen. Healthy cattle (non-shedders) transiently host E. coli O157:H7 in their gastrointestinal tract, with the bacteria mainly residing in the rectum of the large intestine. Transmission of this pathogen among cattle and
Comminuted meat products such as ground beef can contain meat from many animals making it difficult to identify the specific origin of products through the production chain. This project seeks to utilize the power of genomics to employ DNA verification mechanisms to trace animal origination in comminuted meat products. Project success could result in a
Genetic identification techniques to improve food safety recall of ground meat products Read More »
Sow longevity (lifetime production) and efficiency are two of the most important economic drivers of profitability for pork producers. Genetic improvement of sow feed intake, efficiency and longevity is possible due to the development of genomic tools like the 60K Porcine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) chip, opening new opportunities to examine the underlying genetics for
Development of genome-enhanced EBV’s for the SOW feed intake and efficiency Read More »
Traditional genetic approaches have been effectively used by the swine industry to enhance traits such as meat production, leanness, and reproductive traits. However, little progress has been made on improving animal health by selective breeding despite susceptibility to specific pathogens having a significant genetic component. Genomics offers the potential to identify new tools that can
Canadian component of the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium Read More »
https://dev.genomealberta.ca/project/canadian-component-of-the-prrs-host-genetics-consortium/
