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Next Time you Process Cattle, Pull Tail Hairs

DNA Sampling and Application in the Cow Herd

This is a guest post written by Sean McGrath, a rancher and consultant from Vermilion, AB.

DNA is the genetic code that determines how an animal grows, performs and interacts with its environment. Every animal inherits DNA from its parents with ½ coming from the maternal side and ½ from the sire. The building blocks of DNA are four base pairs: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G) and Cystosine (C). DNA is arranged in long ‘double strings’ in which A and T are paired and C and G are paired. A ‘gene’ is an area of this double string that codes for a specific function in the animal. By substituting one or more base pairs in the gene (i.e.: replacing an AT pair with a GC pair) a different function may be expressed in the animal (i.e.: red coat colour vs. black).

Technology to examine DNA in cattle has been around for several years, however in the past it has been cost prohibitive. Newer technology called SNP (pronounced “snip”) has changed much of this and made DNA testing a viable option for beef producers, even at commercial industry levels. SNP technology looks for changes in base pairs along the string of DNA. It does not look for specific genes, but rather examines areas that may be ‘associated’ with or close to regions of DNA that code for specific proteins or functions. The advantage of SNP technology over previous tools is that it allows us to examine many more pieces of DNA at a low cost.

SNP technology may be used in several different ways including parentage determination, traceability, trait assessment, genetic defect testing, enhancing accuracy of genetic evaluations and sorting cattle into management groups. (Links to the main Canadian labs: http://genetix.quantumgenetix.com/ and http://www.deltagenomics.com/)

Because various breeds are the result of differences in their DNA, some tests may be breed specific or be more effective in one population than another. It is important to check if any available test is specific to the breed or crossbreed in question.

Most producers will not want to jump right into parentage or testing for various traits, however collection and storage of DNA on your herd can be a valuable management tool at a relatively low cost. Having DNA samples readily available allows you to easily access the technology at the time and level you feel is appropriate. Some feedlots are now requesting cattle that fit specific genotypes, so it might be worth having your cattle’s DNA samples on hand so that you can be an eligible supplier. Another example: if you have calving problems, it will be possible to rapidly assess whether the problem is with a specific sire or a more general management problem involving cattle from several sires. Collection and storage of DNA samples is an inexpensive way to prepare for these types of scenarios.

It is useful when collecting samples to collect them early in an animal’s life and at a convenient time such as during regular processing. Collecting new sires as they are delivered to the farm, or replacement heifers as they are selected for the cowherd is a good practice. If an animal dies or is disposed of such as a cull bull that you may want to test, you cannot retroactively collect samples. As well, in the event that you want to use testing for serious issues such as calving difficulties or genetic defects you do not want to have to run the entire sire battery or cowherd through the chute in the middle of a busy period.

Since every tissue in the animal contains DNA, options for DNA samples include tissue, blood and hair. Hair is the easiest and cheapest to collect and store, as the DNA in the root bulb of the hair decays very slowly. Tissue samples, which contain a higher quantity of DNA than hair samples, must be collected and stored using specialized containers with preservatives or be frozen in order to prevent the DNA from breaking down, but they work well if you are testing right away. For long term storage, hair can be placed in a paper envelope labeled with the animal’s tag and stored in a dry and dark location such as a filing cabinet.

How to collect tail hairs for DNA sampling

Grab the tail switch

Tail hairs should be pulled (not clipped) from the animal’s tail switch

  • Comb or brush out the switch first to remove dead hairs
  • Wrap 5 to 15 hairs around your finger about 2 inches from the end of the tail, then give a sharp pull
  • Sample size:
    • 20 hairs will provide enough sample for basic parentage testing
    • 40-50 hairs will provide enough DNA material to conduct a variety of tests in the future (Note: some breed associations require 60 hairs)
  • Ensure the sample includes the root bulbs as this is where the DNA is located

    Comb out dead/dirty hair. Wrap 10 to 20 hairs around your finger and give a quick pull.
  • Ensure the tail hair is dry and clean to ensure the lab will process the sample and to prevent cross contamination of the DNA
  • Store in a clearly labelled paper envelope in a dark/dry location such as a filing cabinet or drawer
    • Use a separate paper envelope for each animal
  • Collection/Testing Strategies

    A good sample will be clean and dry and contain the root bulbs.

    The more samples collected, the more testing options will be readily available in the future. Each operation will need to decide what animals should have DNA samples on file. Collecting replacements each year will eventually provide DNA samples for the entire cowherd. The points below can help you to decide what level of collection is the best fit for your operation.

    Bulls

    Lower number of animals / Less testing cost

    Store the sample in a paper envelope that is clearly labelled with the identification of the animal.
  • Influence a large number of offspring (1/2 of the calf crop DNA)
  • May consider higher degree of testing for these animals
  • Cows

    • Large number of animals
    • Remain in herd for a long time frame
    • ½ the calf crop DNA
    • May consider collecting/testing replacements as they enter the cowherd to eventually end up with the entire cowherd being completed

    Calves

    • Large number of animals
    • May consider testing at lower levels (i.e.: parentage only)
    • May consider testing specific samples (i.e.: replacement heifers, chronic illness, calving difficulties)

    Where to send your samples for parentage testing

    Summary

    • DNA technology is rapidly changing and costs are decreasing
    • A variety of DNA tests are available at various price levels
    • DNA tests may be breed specific
    • DNA sample collection using hair can be a low cost way to prepare to use this technology
    • Hair samples can be collected from the animal’s tail switch and should:
      • Be clean and dry
      • Contain at least 40 to 50 hairs
      • Contain root bulbs from the hair
    • Hair samples can be stored in labelled paper envelopes in dry/dark location such as a filing cabinet
    • Bulls offer a lower cost/higher impact method to start testing
    • Collecting samples on replacements will allow for a full set of DNA samples on the herd over time
    • Smaller groups such as replacement heifers may be tested over time to eventually have the entire herd tested

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    Comments


    Wendell PalmerOctober 6, 2014

    Excellent article. The very brief description of DNA was clear and adequate.

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    christianJune 10, 2019

    Why tail hairs? Can it be from another part of the body?

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    Beef Research3June 13, 2019

    Hi Christian,

    Tail hairs are longer so it’s easier to wrap them around your finger to pull them out. That’s tough to do with body hair (maybe unless you’ve got Highlands).

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    christianJune 13, 2019

    Thank you. I thought maybe it was related to differences in the size of the hair follicle

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    BlairJune 30, 2019

    I have been using grade bulls from a producer who uses Simmental bulls. Is there a breed percentage that these bulls would have to meet to test for breed specific traits? So, say if they are over 80 %, could I test them for efficiency and disease resistance in Simmentals?

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    Beef Research3July 9, 2019

    Thanks for your question Blair. The answer is not simple unfortunately.

    One of the biggest variables is what were the genetics of the training population that the specific test was developed from and is there a correlation to the genetic makeup of the animal being tested. Many of the original tests were developed off Angus based animals so had poor DNA or Genomic ties to other breeds. If the company offering the test included high percentage Simmental genetics in the development of their test then the test has a higher probability of having value.

    When we throw the various types of Simmentals into the mix – Fullbloods, Purebreds (red or black), SimmAngus and the differences between them into the mix we again add some more variation.

    There may be value in any kind of testing such as this, however, if the bulls are grade bulls of a “may contain” nature and varying amount of Simmental blood in them then the testing may not provide as accurate results as a higher percentage of Simmental influence.

    Hopefully this helps answer your question.

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    Lynn RushingSeptember 27, 2019

    oue cows tail is dead.
    how do we pull hairs?

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    Beef Research3September 27, 2019

    Hi Lynn,

    Please see under the section above 'How to collect tail hairs for DNA sampling' for tips on how to collect good samples. You could also remove a sample from another location, tail hairs are just easier to grab onto.

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