Bovigen, LLC
In spring 2006 Genex Cooperative, Inc. and Bovigen, LLC, a global genetics technology company, announced the start of a marketing agreement. Beginning last May, Bovigen's GeneSTAR® Tenderness and Quality Grade, GeneSTAR® Black and SireTRACE® tests are available through the Genex marketing force and through the Genex Custom Collection facilities. The actual testing will continue to be conducted by Bovigen.
Bovigen is an innovation-driven genomics company developing a portfolio of world class DNA technological products. Their mission is to promote excellence in the beef industry through the discovery, validation and commercialization of genetic tools that add value and enable producers to positively impact the economics of the beef industry. Bovigen as an entity was established in 2003, and in April 2004 acquired the business and marketing rights to the GeneSTAR, SireTRACE and SureTRAK® product lines for all of the Americas from Genetic Solutions in Australia.
GeneSTAR Tenderness was the first multi-gene single trait DNA test commercially available to the beef industry. It combines test results for several markers and genes for the same trait. The test is based, in part, on two genes involved in the post-mortem tenderization process: Calpastatin and Calpain. Calpain is an enzyme which weakens muscle fibers thereby making the fibers more tender. Calpastatin is an enzyme which inhibits the post-mortem tenderization process by inhibiting the effects of Calpain. Tests measure the presence of the positive combination of genes at each allele.
GeneSTAR Quality Grade is a DNA genetic marker panel test offered by Bovigen which identifies the presence of multiple major genes associated with quality grade. These markers provide beef producers with a quicker and more accurate test to determine an animals potential for improved quality grade. GeneSTAR Quality Grade includes TG5, which was the first gene marker for a production trait in beef cattle. This panel of markers is the only marbling or quality grade test to have passed an independent validation by the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium.
GeneSTAR Black is a color coat test which identifies if black coated animals have only the black coat color gene (homozygous) or if they carry a copy of the red coat color gene.
SireTRACE is a DNA fingerprinting and progeny identification test for those producers that use multiple sires in a single pasture or turn out a herd bull immediately after artificial insemination (A.I.). Using the DNA fingerprint that is obtained from the SireTRACE product, offspring fingerprints can be evaluated against multiple potential sires to determine the real sire. In addition, parentage can be validated against a single sire or a sire and dam to verify an animal's pedigree. This is the process that most breed associations go through to validate pedigree information for select groups of animals prior to registration.
As an added tool, Genetic Progeny DifferencesTM(GPD) are available to more specifically explain and differentiate values between animals. A GPD is the "specifically identified" genetic merit of each tested animal and can be passed on to his or her progeny through simple and known probabilities. They are designed to accurately describe the actual effect of each potential and unique marker combination within a trait. GPDs are designed to accommodate an infinite number of genetic combinations, interactions and genes yet to be discovered within any trait.
The Bovigen tests are new tools available to customers which will help increase genetic progress. In addition to contacting your Genex area sales representative for superior genetics and the best "chute-side" service in the industry, contact them to inquire about the Bovigen tests.
For more information contact Bovigen at 877-BEEF-DNA or Genex at 800-927-2855.
