Is DNA testing the route to improved livestock performance

QMS, with support from key partners in Scotland’s beef industry and funding from the Scottish Government’s Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund, has continued to back The Scotch Beef PGI Traceability and Performance project, which examined the potential of DNA testing for traceability and improving the performance of the Scottish beef herd.

At QMS, we are continually looking for opportunities to add value for our levy payers, providing farming businesses with the necessary knowledge to improve productivity and profitability, and retain their reputation as world-leading producers of red meat.

The research project confirmed that the use of genomic analysis of maternal DNA and the introduction of a beef DNA traceability system could greatly improve the productivity and profitability of Scotland’s beef herd, as well as guaranteeing traceability and predicting the performance of offspring.

Specifically, results revealed that utilising DNA would give us a world leading traceability standard and eliminate fraud from the sector, also improving the saleability of the product through improved consumer confidence.

QMS has been sharing the findings with the Scottish red meat supply chain and is assessing the potential of a national programme.

A summary document, with the full results of the Scotch Beef PGI Traceability and Performance project is available below, and provides a foundation for developing the tools needed to help Scottish producers drive the industry forward.

Download the summary here

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