Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of identifying whether or not an animal carries a biological marker linked to animal productivity, more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods of identifying whether or not an animal carries a biological marker having a deleterious effect on animal productivity. The invention also relates to methods for selecting or rejecting one or more animals, cells or embryos, animal evaluation, breeding animals, and herd formation. The invention also relates to biological markers suitable for use in such methods. In particular, the present invention relates to genetic variations which disrupt the PLCD4 gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methods for determining whether or not an animal and/or its offspring is more likely than not to have an increased tolerance to heat, an increased resistance to ticks, and/or a desirable coat texture. It also provides methods for selecting or rejecting animals, one or more cells or embryos, estimating the worth of an animal, generating animals having a desired genotype/phenotype, cloning and breeding animals and herd formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methods for determining whether or not an animal and/or its offspring is more likely than not to have an increased tolerance to heat, an increased resistance to ticks, and/or a desirable coat texture. It also provides methods for selecting or rejecting animals, one or more cells or embryos, estimating the worth of an animal, generating animals having a desired genotype/phenotype, cloning and breeding animals and herd formation.