Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes, across the bovine genome in genes encoding polypeptides associated with feed efficiency, and their associations with residual feed intake in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data, haplotype data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the leptin promoter, and to methods for the identification of animals carrying specific alleles of these SNPs that are associated with circulating leptin levels, feed intake, growth rate, body weight, carcass merit and carcass composition. The present invention provides oligonucleotides that can be used as primers and/or probes to amplify and/or detect these SNPs, and provides methods for selecting and grouping animals, in particular bovines, according to genotype.

Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine gene encoding fibroblast growth factor 8 (“FGF8”) and their associations with economically relevant traits in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention also provide novel compositions and methods based on novel CBFA2T1 and/or DECR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms selected from the group consisting of CBFA2T1 SNP1, CBFA2T1 SNP2, CBFA2T1 SNP3, CBFA2T1 SNP4, DECR1 SNP5, DECR1 SNP6, DECR1 SNP7, DECR1 SNP8, DECR1 SNP9, DECR1 SNP10, DECR1 SNP11, DECR1 SNP12 and DECR1 SNP13, which may provide novel markers for carcass quality, growth and/or feed efficiency. Additional aspects provide for novel methods which may comprise marker-assisted selection or marker-assisted management to improve carcass quality, growth and/or feed efficiency in cattle.

Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine gene encoding fibroblast growth factor 8 (“FGF8”) and their associations with economically relevant traits in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the leptin promoter, and to methods for the identification of animals carrying specific alleles of these SNPs that are associated with circulating leptin levels, feed intake, growth rate, body weight, carcass merit and carcass composition. The present invention provides oligonucleotides that can be used as primers and/or probes to amplify and/or detect these SNPs, and provides methods for selecting and grouping animals, in particular bovines, according to genotype.

Abstract: The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes, across the bovine genome in genes encoding polypeptides associated with feed efficiency, and their associations with residual feed intake in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data, haplotype data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.