Angus cattle Developmental Duplication test now available

A diagnostic test for Developmental Duplication (DD) in Angus cattle is now available in Australia through the Animal Genetics Laboratory at The University of Queensland.

This is the first commercially available test that can diagnose the recessive, Developmental Duplication condition in Angus cattle.

About 20 cases of Angus cattle DD, also known as Polymelia, have been reported in Australia in the past four years.

Angus Society of Australia’s chief executive Dr Peter Parnell said the impact of the condition in a typical commercial herd was expected to be minimal.

The DD status of a number of Australian and US Angus sires have been made publically available via the Angus Society website, allowing registered breeders to view the probability of their own stock carrying the mutation.

The Animal Genetics Laboratory acknowledges the work of Dr Jonathan Beever from the University of Illinois, USA, as the developer of the commercial test for DD.

Dr Beever’s work is well known in the beef breeding community, having previously developed the diagnostic tests for several other important recessive conditions.

The Animal Genetics Laboratory is now accepting samples for DD testing via the Angus Society of Australia.

Further information: Emily Piper, 0422 025 978, 07 5460 1974, e.piper@uq.edu.au

Angus Australia

Information about Developmental Duplication is available at www.angusaustralia.com.au or by contacting Angus Australia on (02) 6773 4600.