The profiles will be included in Breedplan, the national genetic evaluation system for cattle breeders.

Catapult Genetics, a world leader in livestock DNA testing, has compiled more than 10,000 DNA profiles of cattle from across the country.

The DNA profiles will be analysed by The Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) in Armidale, NSW, before being transferred to the National Beef Recording Scheme at the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI).

There, they'll be included in Breedplan.

On Monday, Qld Minister for State Development, John Mickel pressed the 'magic button' that sent the 10 000 genetic profiles to the ABRI for analysis.

Mr Mickel said, "These DNA profiles are part of a world-first project, the SmartGene for Beef Project, that's working towards developing a new generation of Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) for identifying animals that are naturally superior in meat quality and feed efficiency.

"The samples represent most of Australia's beef cattle breeds and have been profiled using Catapult Genetics' globally leading GeneSTAR DNA test."

Catapult Genetics chief executive officer, Dr Gerard Davis, said the company's patented GeneSTAR test provides information on key attributes of:

• Beef quality, including tenderness, marbling.
  
• The animal's optimum feeding regime based on the cattle's genetic makeup.

Catapult Genetics is also responsible for developing SureTRAK, a DNA test that provides paddock-to-plate traceability for the beef industry, and the company has recently released its GeneSTAR Feed Efficiency test in the US through it's partner Bovigen.

Source: North Queensland Register