NEWSWorld leader in genomic testing brings 85K Chip to Australia and New Zealand
Weatherbys Scientific has launched its new Bovine Versa 85K SNP chip in Australia and New Zealand, giving breeders access to even more traits essential to beef cattle production and accelerated genetic improvement.
The chip has been custom developed for health traits specific to Australian and international breeds, providing 85,000 data points for a genetic “map” that is more detailed, more accurate and the key to insights that drive more confident herd management decisions.
Genomic testing is transforming cattle production across the world by enabling producers to select superior animals earlier, increase valuable traits, protect herd health from carriers of recessive conditions, manage the incidence of fatal diseases, and reduce costs by detecting underperforming animals earlier.
“Genomics gives breeders the power to see beyond what’s in front of them and make decisions with confidence,” Weatherbys Scientific Business Development Manager ANZ, Michael-John Barry, said.
“The new 85K chip caters for Australian and New Zealand operations, with markers specifically selected for our Bos indicus, composite and Bos taurus cattle, meaning the insights translate directly into real value on-farm.
“Going from a 50K to an 85K chip is like upgrading from a standard definition TV to ultra-HD. You see a clearer picture and make better decisions.”
Unlike standard genomic panels, the 85K chip delivers high-density data that can improve accuracy in predicting performance, within composite and Bos indicus herds. It also incorporates a broad range of traits and health markers, ensuring relevance to diverse breeding operations.
Provenby independent researchers
The new chip underwent independent testing at the University of Queensland’s world-leading research institute into tropical and sub-tropical agriculture, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).
Professor Ben Hayes undertook the analysis alongside colleague Dr Christie Warburton to determine if the Bovine Versa SNP 85K chip could deliver higher accuracies of genomic estimated breeding values (GeBVs) for Bos indicus and Bos indicus infused cattle.
“It showed a substantially higher accuracy of imputation than the Bovine 50K array with a 94% accuracy,” Prof Hayes said.
“The results indicate that this array demonstrates strong performance across a Brahman population, supporting its suitability for application in tropically adapted beef cattle.”
Bovine VersaSNP 85K Chip – Fast Facts
- Major upgrade to the proven Bovine Versa 50k chip with extensive validation whereby sample call rates of >99% and genotype concordances to historical datasets of >99.9% were observed across multiple bovine breeds.
- The chip’s base content of 83,280 SNPs enables applications such as traceability, parentage analysis, imputation and genomic evaluations.
- Additional trait markers for defects and conditions of commercial, economic and welfare benefit are also present including Polled, Myostatin, Coat Colour, Casein, Progressive Ataxia, Pompes, Developmental Duplication, Neuropathic Hydrocephalus and Mandibulofacial Dysostosis.
A trusted partner with global expertise
Weatherbys Scientific is family owned and independent, backed by more than 250 years of continuous operation and 40 years of experience in animal genotyping. With operations across Europe, North America, and since 2019 in Australia and New Zealand, the company combines global scale with local focus.
“Weatherbys is proud to bring this next-generation chip to breeders across Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Barry said.
“Our family heritage, combined with global leadership in genomics, means producers can trust us to deliver accurate, practical and independent solutions to improve herd performance.”
The company partners with many of Australia and New Zealand’s leading breed associations and service providers, including the Australian Wagyu Association and PBB NZ, ensuring genomic solutions are fully integrated into the breeding programs that matter most to producers.
Weatherbys Scientific Head of Research and Development, Paul Flynn, said the company also works in collaboration with many research and development groups and commercial providers, and sits across numerous international committees and steering groups.
“Weatherbys is in a constant drive for innovation, partnerships, and research opportunities that develop our suite of bespoke service offerings,” Mr Flynn said.
“It’s part of our commitment to ensure our genomic testing evolves with the latest in scientific discovery and the needs of our customers. It’s an exciting space to be in, and we are committed to improving beef genetics for future generations.”
Easy to adopt, simple to use
Weatherbys Scientific provides full sampling support, including Tissue Sampling Units (TSUs), hair and semen collection options, and step-by-step customer service to guide producers through the process, from sample collection to results delivery.
“Adopting genetics doesn’t need to be complicated,” Mr Barry said.
“With the right tools and advice, producers can unlock the genetic potential of their herds and accelerate progress, from one generation to the next.”
For more information on the new Bovine Versa 85K SNP Chip, contact hello@weatherbys.com.au.