Technical Feature Group C

Monitoring instead of Eradication? By: Dakota Bolin Word count: 1,343 Target Publication: Shorthorn Country

Writers Note: ASA is used after initial reference for the American Shorthorn Association. TH is used after initial reference for Tibial Hemimelia.

Sidebar
According to the American Shorthorn Association Tibial Hemimelia, more commonly known as TH, is a disease caused by a recessive trait. It refers to the absence of the tibia, or part of the tibia, resulting in twisted legs and deformed hind-ends. The disease is also associated with abdominal deformities and long, shaggy hair coats. Calves are normally born dead, however, if born alive they are unable to live with the disorder. The disease first came to the forefront in the Shorthorn breed in 2000 when multiple calves were born deformed. Since the outbreak, hundreds of carriers have been identified within the Shorthorn breed. In November . 2003, the ASA Genetic Defect Protocol was approved, and was amended in 2005 to require A.I siresd, donor dams, and clones be tested for TH before registration.
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.56", Line spacing: Double Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.56"

Feature Story
Since the outbreak of Tibial Hemimelia, or TH, in 2000, the American Shorthorn Association has taken steps to deal with the disease; however, they have chosen to monitor rather than eradicate THnot to eradicate TH, but instead have taken a monitoring approach. . With this system, has the association done enough in its efforts against TH while maintaining a strong industry for the breed and its breeders?

I think they have [done enough], and they have done a good job with surveillance, said Dr. Jonathan Beever, a genetics professor at the University of Illinois and the developer of the genetic test for TH. Beever said he supports the efforts made by the ASA, but said the condition is still quite prevalent within the breed. Beever became involved with TH research in 2004, and spent more than a year developing the genetic test to detect carriers, which is currentlycurrently is used by the ASA. I think they [ the ASA] did a good job, because they brought [the issue] to the forefront, said John Sullivan of Sullivan Farms in Dunlap, Iowa. Sullivan has been a Shorthorn breeder for 15 years, but said he has been around the breed his entire life. Beever saidbelieves the ASA has been active in its efforts against the disease, but said the association still needs to work on improving their labeling of animals as potential carriers upon registration. If a breeder were to look forup an animal on the association registry its status is stated, Beever said. However, he said the ASA should have a system to alert an inexperienced breeder of the chance his or her/her calf could be a carrier before registration.. As of fall 2012, the ASA had recorded approximately 15,000 animals per year and maintained more than 20,000 head in its herd registry. The association does not keep track of the number of overall carriers; however, individual carriers must be tracked using the ASA herd registry.
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

The frequency of Shorthorn cattle with TH has gone down as a whole, Beever said. Beever estimateds in 2004, seven of the top 10 sires in registrations were carriers, comparing to his estimate of the top two sires being carriers today. Beever said it is evident the threat of TH is declining. This trend is apparent in todays Shorthorn semen distributors, including SEK Genetics, and Cattle Visions. Of the 118 registered Shorthorn bulls currently promoted by SEK Genetics, 24 are TH carriers, and of the 136 Shorthorn bulls promoted by Cattle Visions, 15 are carriers. The reason you dont hear about it as much anymore is because of the [genetic] test, Sullivan said. Currently, the ASA allows animals to be registered without requiring the animal be genetically tested, unless they are A.I sires, donor dams, or cloned animals. Some breeders believe this is the right decision and others think it is not the best option if the breed wants to expand. If I think that if the Shorthorn breed wants to gain access to the commercial beef industry, which I think is a market that will allow them to be much more sustainable, Beever said. I think there is no room in the breed for TH, Beever said. , Hhowever I do not think the breed wants to dictate what people breed. Some breeders within the industry think allowing TH carriers to be registered is the right thing for the ASA to do.

I think it [Aallowing TH carriers to register] is the right thing, said Tyler Cates of Cates Farms in Modoc, Ind. The right decision was not to tell people who spent a lifetime producing certain cattle they could no longer register those cattle. Cates family has been a part of the Sshorthorn industry for more thanover 50 years, and currently has TH carriers in their their herd. He further supports the associations decision and said with the [genetic] test you are able to never have a defective calf. However, Cates agreed with Beever and said that for anyone who is trying to produce commercial- type cattle and bulls, they do not need TH in their herds. If we are looking to expand maybe there is no room for TH, Sullivan said. However, he said TH needs to be allowed in the current industry because of the impact not allowing it could have on the industry, especially heifer markets. Sullivan said , in his opinion, the ASA has to welcome everyone in order to keep itstheir office doors open. If TH carriers could not be registered, registrations would drop significantly, especially in the junior program, Sullivan said. With the ASA allowing TH carriers to be registered, the responsibility of TH management falls directly to Shorthorn breeders themselves. However, ,Sullivan and Cates said this responsibility but is made easier with the genetic test developed by Dr. Beever. If you are going to be a cattle breeder that means that you have a certain amount of responsibilities and those include management of these types of issues, Beever said.

Beever saidexplains the importance of testing for TH carriers can be assessed by determiningby assessing a personal risk factor., and everyone has a different level of risk they are willing to take. If they [breeders] understand risk, that risk will give them a starting point, said Dr. Beever. Dr. Beever said producers need to know how much risk they are willing to take and manage that risk of TH within their respective herds. He said the risk is now easier for producers to access using the TH test. We test everything, Sullivan said. The [genetic] test gives you the information , and then you can make the decision to avoid TH. Sullivan said he would rather his animals be TH free, but he said he would rather put up with a TH carrier than a cow with a bad udder or a bad foot. Sullivan said as a producer he does not hide the TH status of a calf, but its the buyers decision becomes whether or not to buy a carrier. Although I believe Aa clean-up bull needs to be clean, said SullivanSullivan said, because they can hit your entire herd, and its just not worth the chance. It is evident that Beever, Sullivan, and Cates all agree that the ASA has done an appropriate job in keeping the Sshorthorn industry strong while monitoring the TH situation within the breed., and Tthey said they are confident the issue will continue to deteriorate and become less of an issue for the industry in the future.

It [The prevalence of TH] has gone down a lot in the last five years, and its going to continue to get less and less each year, said SullivanSullivan said. Beever agreed with Sullivan, and said he thinks TH will get lower and lower in frequency within the Shorthorn breed. s. Beever said breeders can continue to use TH carriers in their herds, because people know how to use them to their economic advantage, which will allow the industry to be successful. With the development of the genetic test in 2005 and the continued supply of information about the disease, Sullivan said the threat of TH has become less of an issue since the outbreak in 2000, and the Shorthorn industry should remain strong in years to come. We put the information out there, Beever said, and we hope people make the right decision, or at least thats what we hope gets done.