Gene bank collection strategies based upon geographic and environmental indicators for beef breeds in the United States of America

Abstract

As gene bank collections develop, there are opportunities to collect germplasm using criteria other than random sampling or genetic relationships. For Brazil and the US, it has become apparent that sampling based upon environmental adaptability could enrich germplasm collections. Combining current US beef cattle germplasm collection with Geographical Information System (GIS) approaches, sample concentration and underrepresented areas were identified for Bos taurus and Bos taurus indicus (BI). BI samples were principally derived along the Gulf Coast region (not necessarily close to freshwater sources). In contrast, continental Europe (BTCE) and British, African and Asian (BAA) breed samples were more concentrated among the Great Plains/Mid-West (close to major rivers and lakes), with some samples being derived from the south-west and Gulf Coast areas. BTCE and BAA have been extensively sampled, but more is needed in the more westerly states of New Mexico, Nevada, California and Utah. In addition, BI sampling should increase in the more northerly states of Tennessee and Kentucky to capture allele frequencies that may better enable those breeds to perform outside the Deep South. The methods used in this evaluation can be extended to using genotypes within or among breeds to promote sampling in environmentally unique areas.