Penrhyn Farm, Llanfwrog, Holyhead, Anglesey
Focus Site Project: Exploring the potential benefits of identifying Myostatin variants in commercial beef herds
Project aims
The main aim of this project is to DNA sample animals within a commercial beef herd containing around 75% Limousin genetics in order to identify the Myostatin variants carried by current and prospective breeding females. While the presence of certain Myostatin variants can be beneficial for carcase attributes, certain combinations can lead to more difficult calvings and reduced fertility and milking ability. Identifying the combination of variants carried by breeding females and stock bulls in the herd will provide valuable information for making mating decisions to potentially reduce calving difficulties and produce replacement females with good maternal characteristics.