Cattle ID technology awarded

A DNA tag for livestock -- a joint venture development between Brisbane biotechnology company Genetic Solutions and livestock management company Allflex -- has won recognition at the 2004 Premier of Queensland Smart Awards. The tags made their market debut 12 months ago. They offer cattle producers fast, accurate animal identification combining a permanent visual and or electronic ear tag with a DNA sample collector. The tags and the DNA sample collector are all pre-printed with a unique code which matches them together, ready for use. At the time when the tag is inserted, a sample of tail hair follicles is collected for dispatch to the Genetic Solutions laboratory. A computer database at Genetic Solutions links the animal in the field with the archived DNA sample, which can be used at any time for genetic testing or identification purposes. Allflex Australasia CEO Michael Connole said the DNA tag was a big step forward in tracing animals, which would be especially important in the event of an exotic disease outbreak. “Importantly, from a commercial perspective, clients can also use genetic testing offered by Genetic Solutions for marbling and tenderness as well as services such as Siretrace," Connole said in a statement. Genetic Solutions MD Gerard Davis said the DNA Tag's pre-printed codes eliminated the possibility of human transcription error and provided extra reassurance for suppliers to Japan and Korea.