Good herd management rests on a mix of experience, ongoing observation of the animals and reliable animal data. DNA information complements the classic assessment and resolves a conflict of goals that has long seemed unavoidable for many camelid herds: reaching breeding goals such as fibre type, coat colour or conformation without inbreeding continuing to rise in an often small founder population.
Before direct DNA information became available, knowledge for breeding planning came exclusively from generations of observation: which animals and lines pass on which traits, which pairings have proven successful, where surprises are to be expected. DNA information does not replace this skill. It extends it and enables strategies that were not previously available.
Detailed knowledge of individual animals and lines was the basis: fibre type and coat colour, conformation, offspring results. Experienced keepers could use this to judge what a given pairing might produce. The primary purpose was to fix desired traits. With small founder populations, that often happened through closer pairings.
Thanks to DNA tests, individual inherited traits such as coat colour can now be addressed specifically. Camelid populations in many countries, founded on just a few import lines, often have limited genetic diversity as a result. Containing it without genome-based assessments fails against the reality of small populations. Inbreeding and genetic diversity →
Our test "Inbreeding & Diversity (Fitness) CAMELIDS" reads the genome of the tested animal directly via a 60k array and reliably determines the proportions that stem from shared ancestors. It delivers all three relevant parameters: the ROH profile (extent and location of the inbred regions on each chromosome), the genomic inbreeding coefficient (GIC) and genomic heterozygosity (HE). In mating planning, we show what inbreeding level the potential offspring would have. The test is also suited to clarifying an individual's inbreeding status where general condition is non-specifically reduced. The effect on the herd as a whole can be derived directly. Consistent use improves the situation from one litter to the next.
DNA-supported herd management rests on a few building blocks that complement one another. Which of them you use is decided by your herd's breeding goals.
The underlying sample material should be clearly available, reliable and easy to archive. Given that, it is ready quickly and easily for later analysis. That includes questions that may only arise years later. Depending on your starting point and goal, several sample materials and archiving options are available.
Sample collection and materials →The baseline every animal should get is a DNA "identity" profile including an inbreeding assessment. Once the parent animals are on record, DNA-verified parentage is added. The benefit reaches beyond your own breeding programme: even a young animal that doesn't stay in your own breeding stock becomes more valuable, because its origin and genetic background are clearly documented.
What outcome can I expect from which combination? Candidate pairings are assessed for their effect before the decision is made. That shows which traits come together and what the expected inbreeding level of the offspring looks like. Not based on uncertain calculations, but on scientifically grounded DNA information.
Onboarding involves carefully recording your existing herd. We're happy to advise you on the details. From then on, ongoing use simply means recording new young animals and any purchased breeding animals as they arrive.
From here on, we focus on samples from young animals and breeding animals joining from outside. DNA typing is carried out as needed.
The sample is stored securely and remains activatable. The matching analysis can be ordered at any time afterwards.
The sample is analysed to whatever extent you choose:
Exchange with other keepers and breeders is irreplaceable. That's where years of expertise and valuable experience come together. There are two paths to this exchange.
Breed associations maintain the studbook for a breed or line. It is often built up over years and gives all members insight into the assessments of registered breeding animals. They also support their members on many breeding questions and organise conformation assessments. Many run their own online platforms.
Generatio partners with breed associations and integrates its work directly into their studbook management: our programmes secure the logistics and guarantee the correctness of parentage.
DNA programmes in the ATC →Not every keeper belongs to a breed association. But the wish to use modern DNA information and work together with others exists all the same. That's why we set up the ATC's open DNA programmes: the same systematics, the same evaluations and the same effective networking.
Anyone who joins adds their animals to a shared data pool and can assess pairings far beyond their own herd. Whether as a private network among yourselves or open to everyone: the ATC is the platform that makes it possible.
View the open DNA programmes →