NEW DNA sourcing technology, which can verify livestock's parentage, diagnosis of disease and track genomics, is set to revolutionise the way producers get DNA samples from sheep.
The traditional way of collecting DNA with the use of blood cards is being overshadowed by the new Allflex Tissue Sampling Unit (TSU) technology.
TSUs use the ear to collect a tissue sample and will replace tail hair, blood, semen and other sample types used for DNA, Pestivirus and other serology testing.
"There are issues with blood cards including contamination, preparation and collection of too much or not enough blood," Allflex sheep business manager Jim Meckiff said.
"The TSU is already coded with the animals identification number, so there is a very low chance of incorrectly labelling and the samples being corrupted through human error."
TSUs have been widely embraced in New Zealand and Australia's dairy and beef industries and will be trialled by major sheep groups in Victoria. The Balmoral Sire Evaluation Group is embracing the new technology after it deemed it was too labour intensive to use blood cards to obtain the pedigree of nearly 2000 ewes in the trial.
"I'm confident it will become the sampling method of choice due to its simplicity, accuracy and speed – the TSU is being viewed favourably by people in the industry," Mr Meckiff said.
He said the new technology also improved animal welfare outcomes due to reduced stress on livestock and handlers.
"It is significantly quicker and easier – the sampling becomes a bloodless task where as blood cards involve cutting or nipping the ear. There is also reduced handling of the sheep," Mr Meckiff said.
TSUs use barcoded vials which are linked to the sheep's identification tags, the barcode allows for farm record-keeping and automated handling during the laboratory processes.
Mr Meckiff said the TSU linked the latest technologies from EIDs through to genomics.
"You can test the parentage of progeny and it also lends itself completely to genomic testing as well, which helps breeders identify superior animal genetics" he said.
While the TSU costs more than a blood card, Mr Meckiff said it was a premium, efficient DNA sampling technology which included sealed sample to avoid sample contamination risks and labelled unit to ensures the accurate ID of samples.
"When a DNA test costs $50 you don't want the sample to fail," he said.