9/25/2008 8:57:00 AM Angus breed tackling Curly Calf Syndrome Gardiner Angus suspected, helping with research
Compiled by Codi Vallery
The Curly Calf Syndrome being talked about recently in Angus cattle has been tentatively traced to the GAR Precision 1680 bloodlines, according to Dr. Jonathan E. Beever and Dr. David Steffen who are working in cooperation with the American Angus Association.
Steffen, DVM, of the University of Nebraska saw his first Curly Calf in 2002. No significant cases appeared in the next four years, but sufficient data in the last two years has proven there is a need for a genomic study. Steffen says affected calves have a spine that is bent and twisted. They appear small and thin due to limited muscle development and the legs are often rigid and may be hyper extended or contracted. In some cases the rigid limbs result in calving difficulties.
Between September 6 and September 15, 2008, the Angus Association received written and verbal reports of 48 calves previously born dead with physical characteristics consistent with this syndrome. Each report also included the recorded identities of the sire and dam of the abnormal calf.
Forty-seven of those 48 calves identified to the Association contained "1680"genetics on both sides of the abnormal calves' pedigrees. GAR Precision 1680 is an 18-year-old sire owned by Gardiner Angus Ranch of Ashland. Kan.
Gardiner Angus notified its friends and customers last week that they were helping with Angus Association research to identify the defective gene, develop a DNA test to identify carriers and devise a positive breeding strategy to decrease frequency of the recessive gene.
"The genetic progress made at Gardiner Angus Ranch for the last half-century has been dependent upon sound science and disciplined management," says Mark Gardiner in a letter. "We will continue to rely on sound science to conclusively define the problem and provide a reliable DNA test enabling progressive beef producers to make sound breeding decisions without compromising genetic progress."
Dr. Laurence Denholm of New South Wales, Australia remarked on the situation and says the reason Precision 1680 is suspected as a carrier bull is because of his wide use as a powerful carcass trait sire.
"If this bull had not been recognized as a very good carcass "performance" bull he would not have been used so heavily and we might never have known about curly calf syndrome. But we would have known about syndrome "X" or syndrome "Y" in some other equally desirable bull that rose to similar prominence in the breed in his place," says Denholm.
The total head of 47, do not all have DNA data available, and are instead being noted as descendants of 1680 by written and verbal accounts.
"I continue to receive and process DNA that the Association is collecting and forwarding to me. But the evidence I have developed since September 5 is compelling. As of yet, there does not appear to be any other mode of inheritance or reported environmental factors that explains this specific syndrome in these reported calves," writes Beever about the disease.
If you have such a calf, the Angus Association is encouraging you to document it by taking a photograph and retaining a tissue or whole blood sample from the affected calf and its dam. Then, contact Don Laughlin, director of member services, as soon as possible at 816-383- 5140 or at dlaughlin@angus.org. Likewise, if in the past you have had such a calf, please also inform Don Laughlin of that fact as well.
