First phase of collaboration between Canadian Swine Health Board, UPEI and IdentiGEN Canada is complete


Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, and Lawrence, Kan., US– The Canadian Swine Health Board and the University of Prince Edward Island’s (UPEI) Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) have completed the first phase of an innovative research project that analyzes swine DNA in order to reduce genetic defects and disease in Canadian swine herds.

The program uses the DNA TraceBack® system from IdentiGEN Canada Ltd. to trace parentage of individual hogs in order to make associations between incidence of on-farm swine mortality and the genetic relationship of the chosen sire at the boar stud.

Funded by the Canadian Swine Health Board, the study is the first Canadian research project to establish an accurate, rapid feedback loop from commercial production to swine genetics. This process will ultimately create a platform to increase the accuracy of on-farm research, allowing researchers the option of including the animal’s parentage as part of their analysis.

“There is an opportunity in Canada to improve the effectiveness of our response to on-farm mortality.  Our current inability to efficiently trace the parentage of individual hogs prevents the use of information collected about the animals or the pork products for genetic selection,” said Dr. Daniel Hurnik, UPEI’s Industry Chair for Swine Research, and Associate Professor in AVC’s Department of Health Management.  “This project facilitates faster improvements for the industry and extends benefits for the whole pork industry.”

UPEI is working closely with Premium Farms, Magnum Swine Genetics Inc. and Dunsbergen Farms to implement the necessary on-farm protocols for DNA sampling. Using its DNA TraceBack system, IdentiGEN has successfully analyzed samples from the participating farms, establishing the commercial viability of its solution to trace swine parentage. The next phase, to be completed by the end of 2012, will focus on using the generated data to aid Canada’s swine producers in making genetic choices.

“If we can trace the parentage of animals that are not commercially viable, and match them to their sire, we can create an immediate way to impact both quality and disease prevalence through sire choice,” said Hurnik.

Andrew Beusekom, general manager of Magnum Swine Genetics Inc., a CFIA-certified semen producer in Fort Macleod, Alberta, that supplies pork producers throughout Canada, believes this project has the potential to identify individual boars that may be contributing to less desirable traits in their progeny.

“For the commercial sector of the swine industry, the elimination or reduction of such traits could have a significant impact, both in management and monetary value. As an Artificial Insemination Unit, this project may allow for the unique evaluation of individual boars, by providing the information needed to make crucial management decisions, including culling and selection of genetic lines,” he said.


About the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI
A faculty of the University of Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Veterinary College was established in 1986 as the veterinary college serving the four provinces in Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Veterinary College is committed to improving the health and well-being of animals and humans through excellence in education, research and professional service to Atlantic Canada and beyond. AVC works closely with industry and business partners by providing world-class research and services. For more information, visit http://www.upei.ca/avc.

About Canadian Swine Health Board
The Canadian Swine Health Board was formed to proactively address swine health challenges through leadership, coordination and support in the management of the health of the Canadian swine herd. Its members include the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians, the Canadian Association of Veterinary Colleges, the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement, the Canadian Meat Council and the Canadian Pork Council. More information can be found at http://www.swinehealth.ca.

About IdentiGEN Canada Ltd.
IdentiGEN Canada. is a leading provider of DNA-based solutions to the agriculture and food industries. It is based in Lawrence, Kansas. Through IdentiGEN’s DNA-based TraceBack® system, retailers, meat processors, producers and local governments, for the first time, have the tools to unequivocally trace meat back to its source. Additional information can be found at http://www.identigen.com.

Note to Editors: High-resolution Graphics
High-resolution photos of Dr. Daniel Hurnik, UPEI’s Industry Chair for Swine Research, and Associate Professor in AVC’s Department of Health Management, are available. Photos of the DNA TraceBack analysis process at IdentiGEN’s lab in Lawrence, Kansas, are also available.