The expectations of both producers and consumers regarding the quality and traceability of their food and the industries need for better productivity to meet the needs of the market has risen exponentially in the last few years. Weatherbys Scientific has responded to this demand for testing by utilising the latest techniques and employing expert staff.
Our work in the bovine sector has grown dramatically in recent years, and we can process more than 500,000 samples a year.
Using the Illumina iScan platform the laboratory provides a genotyping service by with the IDB V3,(54K SNP chip) and 770K (HD) SNP chips used to produce genomic breeding values and in Genome wide association studies.
The Laboratory uses a panel of 18 internationally recognised microsatellite DNA markers for routine parentage verification, which can supplemented with a secondary panel of 10 markers to assist with problematic cases.
SNP based parentage verification is carried out with the recommended ISAG SNP markers.
Archived microsatellite DNA profiles held on the database provide an excellent resource for pedigree searching and solving incorrect parentage.
Introducing genes that cause high mortality or embryonic loss are costly to producers, while introducing genes that produce a positive effect on the animals production can be a good way to increase profits. Testing for both desirable and undesirable genes is a cost-effective way to ensure you are getting the most genetic potential from your herd. Click here to find out more about the list of traits that we offer
Established reference populations for Angus, Hereford, Holstein, Fresian, Simmental, Limousin and Charolais cattle
The Laboratory also assists with the investigation of animal biological material as evidence in legal matters.