The test – GeneSTAR Feed Efficiency 4 – incorporates a suite of four independently acting DNA markers for the crucial production trait of converting feed into saleable meat.

It will be marketed by CSIRO’s Brisbane-based commercial partner, Genetic Solutions Pty Ltd – a global leader in the commercialisation of gene technology for the beef industry.

Genetic Solutions’ Managing Director, Dr Gerard Davis, said CSIRO’s success in isolating the new markers represented a significant step forward for the industry.

“Being able to identify animals which will deliver superior performance before they go onto a feeding regime is a real plus – especially for the lot feeding sector,” Dr Davis said.

He said the markers underwent rigorous validation prior to commercial release. “There have been no negative impacts measured on other traits so producers can use the new markers with confidence,” Dr Davis said.

As part of a collaborative effort, it took a team of CSIRO Livestock Industries’ scientists – led by molecular geneticist Dr Bill Barendse – around 18 months to identify the new feed efficiency markers.

Dr Barendse said the whole bovine genome had been scanned for markers influencing feed efficiency before the team narrowed the field down to the four that comprise the new test.

He said feed conversion efficiency was a complex trait with overall performance influenced by a number of factors including the animal’s metabolism, growth rate, body mass and appetite.

“Because the ability to extract the maximum amount of meat from a kilo of feed is a significant profit driver for the beef industry, isolating these markers represents a very useful result for livestock producers,” Dr Barendse said.

Dr Davis said the launch of the new test coincided with the introduction of a fourth GeneSTAR Marbling marker. “We now have available 12 markers influencing three key production traits – beef feed conversion, marbling and tenderness, which will be packaged together,” he said.