ASGGN WORKPLAN
The science behind genetic and genomic technologies that may contribute to designing animal selection indexes targeting mitigation of CH4 emissions from ruminant livestock requires a huge resource of animals of different breeds and species.
This is impossible to achieve for a single research organisation, or indeed a country, working independently. Therefore, to maximise the impact of these new technologies, key groups require a networked environment that is free of IP uncertainties and uses a coordinated scientific approach.
A scientific network will not (and cannot) deliver solutions to the livestock industry. It can offer a forum and environment in which independently funded scientists in diverse countries can share information and data. A coordinated international research effort using agreed methodologies that are either the same, or at least validated against each other, will significantly increase the power of the contributing individual research programmes. In turn, this will leverage focus, and achieve progress at a much faster rate than could be expected if the programmes were being conducted in isolation.
VISION OF THE ASGGN:
The ASGGN will be an effective network of independently funded researchers committed to generating a quantifiable reduction in enteric methane emissions from ruminant livestock production by focussing the fundamental research required to underpin the application of genetics and genomics principles to animal selection decision making.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
The members of the network work within independently funded research programmes. While the network cannot direct research, it can offer a forum and focus. Therefore, the network’s purpose is to facilitate maximising the value of those programmes.
The pathway to implementing the networks’ vision is rapidly changing, both technically and on a unit cost basis because of the rapid developments in the technologies used for genotyping, new advances in data analysis, population structure in the phenotyped animals and potential service providers to each country’s breeding programs. Therefore, it is best addressed by continued international scientific dialogue to choose the best technology for the problem at the time an analysis is required.
The Network workplan as at 20/3/2012 can be seen here: