ASSGN WORKSHOP

WESTIN BAYSHORE, 17TH AUGUST 2014, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 
The Animal Selection, Genetics and Genomics Network (ASGGN) is focused on bringing together scientists working in the area of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock using animal selection, genetics and genomics techniques. Dr Yvette de Haas (the Netherlands) and Dr Natalie Pickering (New Zealand) are the conveners of ASGGN. The network was initiated at a May 2011 workshop in Auckland, NZ and endorsed by the Livestock Research Group of the Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases. It provides a forum to debate and reach agreement on a variety of topics including:

• common protocols for measurement of CH4 emissions(and associated traits)
• calibrations of measurement procedures between countries
• co-measurement of appropriate correlated and productive traits
• formalised protocols for collection and storage of DNA from all animals measured and also protocols for collection and storage of rumen samples from all animals measured
• criteria for data sharing and analysis (including meta analysis) among all contributing parties

We expect the ASGGN to meet formally once per year at an International Conference that members will be attending independently. The next meeting of ASGGN will be held in VANCOUVER, CANADA ON SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 2014 as a satellite meeting of the World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (www.wcgalp.com).

During this meeting in Vancouver we will cover:

1. the main conclusion of the White Paper on “Breeding ruminants that emit less methane – development of consensus methods for measurement of methane”;
2. an update of the ICAR Greenhouse Gases Working Group;
3. presentations on improvements on methods to measure methane;
4. presentations on advancements in analytical methods;
5. a discussion on what’s next for the ASGGN group.

The final agenda of the meeting will be uploaded closer to the meeting.

Sponsoring for this network meeting of the New Zealand Agriculture Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) is gratefully appreciated.

We hope to see many of you there!

Natalie & Yvette

DATE

Mar 24, 2014

LOCATION

Vancouver, Canada

CONTACT

Yvette de Haas

EMAIL

yvette.dehaas@wur.nl