Gene marker technology will enable cattle producers to breed animals more rapidly with specific production attributes, thereby increasing the value of their stock, said Dr Jay Hetzel, CSIRO Tropical Agriculture.

Dr Hetzel, speaking at the CSIRO Industry Colloquium on Livestock Improvement, explained the fundamentals of gene marker technology to an audience of industry representatives.

"Gene markers detect the various forms of genes which are responsible for performance differences between animals."

He said the basic tools for gene analysis have been developed for cattle in recent years. Now, if a trait is measurable, heritable and if suitable pedigrees are available for analysis, gene markers can be identified.

"Gene markers can also be combined with performance records to more rapidly identify or breed animals suited to particular markets."

Dr Hetzel said CSIRO research has now identified gene markers for a range of live animal traits including birth weight, temperament, heat tolerance, pelvic dimensions, sheath angle and growth rate.

Gene markers for carcass yield, ribeye area, carcass weight, fat, colour, tenderness and marbling have also been discovered in work carried out with the Meat Quality CRC.

The gene markers are in the process of being evaluated in the Brahman, Santa Gertrudis, Belmont Red, Angus, Shorthorn, Hereford and Murray Grey breeds. Release of the gene markers to industry is set to follow this "field testing" phase.

Future applications for gene marker research could include feed efficiency, parasite resistance and reproductive performance.

More information from: Dr Jay Hetzel (079) 360 111(Thur-Fri) (07) 3377 0440 (other times)