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Texas cattlemen hail announcement of bovine genome sequencing database
Texas
Leaders of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the Texas and Southwestern Raisers Association have hailed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's release of the first draft of the Bovine Genome Sequencing Project database. The database is available to biomedical and agricultural researchers worldwide.
"The state of Texas played a major role in helping make this happen, and we are very proud to join USDA and the other cooperators at the brink of an exciting and revolutionary time in cattle production," said Bob McCan of Victoria, president of the Fort Worth-based Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Ernie Morales of Devine, chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association in Amarillo.
Texas contributed $10 million of the $53 million international effort to sequence the cattle genome. "This funding wouldn't have happened without the vision and assistance of Gov. Rick Perry and Ambassador Anne Armstrong, along with the vital help of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX) and Texas Ag Commissioner Susan Combs," the two officials said. "In addition, the Texas Beef Council played a significant part in helping this day become a reality."
Sequencing the bovine genome is expected to provide a number of benefits to basic biology, which ultimately will be translated to more efficient and profitable beef production. The bovine genome sequence will serve as a tool for agricultural researchers striving to improve health and disease management and enhance the nutritional value of beef products.
"A lot of additional research will need to be done about the bovine genome for commercial cattlemen to ultimately realize its benefits, and we're committed to encouraging that research," McCan and Morales said. "This is an exciting time to be an animal scientist, and it's an exciting time to be a cattleman. We look forward to more exciting discoveries in the years ahead."
Date: 10/21/04
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