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Working Groups

The following are the ICAR Working Groups:

• Animal Fibre

• Artificial Insemination & Relevant Technologies

• Animal Recording Data

• Beef Performance

• Conformation Recording

• Genetic Analysis

• Functional Traits

• Interbeef

• Lactation calculation methods

• Milk Recording in Goats

• Milk Recording in Sheep

• Parentage Recording

The following are the Working Groups, describing their Purposes, Standards, Services offered and Responsible.

Animal Fibre Working Group

Animal Recording Data Working Group

Purposes	To develop industry standard data model for animal recording. Establish and implement protocols for transfer of animal and farm data between animal recording computer centres nationally and internationally. Develop guidelines for data validation criteria which should be applied in computer systems. Interface with ISO data dictionary group (WGII).
Species – Breeds – Traits	All species All breeds All traits
Standards & Guidelines	Animal recording data dictionary. Animal certificate. Breed codes
Services & Other	Stimulate exchange of data between ICAR members
Responsible	E. Rehben (Chairman).

 

Artificial Insemination & Relevant Technologies Working Group

Purpose	Improve data collection associated with artificial insemination
Species – Breeds – Traits	Cattle Dairy, Beef and Dual Purpose breeds Reproduction
Standards & Guidelines	Semen and straw identification and data Embryo production and transfer data.
Services & Other	Statistics on AI activities. Contact with specialist groups
Issues & Points for Discussion	Ensure link with WG Animal Recording Data. Ensure link with WG on Functional Traits (Health & Fertility).
Responsible	A. Malafosse (Chairman).

 

Beef Performance Working Group

Purpose	Facilitate development of beef recording
Species – Breeds – Traits	Cattle Beef performance
Standards & Guidelines	Linear scoring of muscular shape. Publication of genetic proofs for beef traits. Beef performance recording
Services & Other	Survey of beef recording. Report on potential of international genetic evaluations
Issues & Points for Discussion	Extend purpose to include the development of standard trait definitions and measurement standards applicable to all breeds used in beef production. Consider link with working group on Conformation Recording. Review options for ensuring a good relationship is developed with the BIF (Beef Improvement Federation).
Responsible	Japie van der Westhuizen (Chairman)

 

Conformation Recording Working Group

Purpose	Stimulate recording of conformation traits in additional breeds & species Establish standard trait definitions and measurement standards for use over all breeds of cattle involved in milk production. Promote adoption of international standard trait definitions for conformation traits in dairy cattle
Species – Breeds – Traits	Cattle Holstein & other dairy breeds
Standards & Guidelines	Survey of conformation recording in dairy breeds
Services & Other	Conformation traits
Issues & Points for Discussion	Consider link with WG on Beef Performance. Convenor to confirm terms of reference. Ensure link with WG on Functional Traits (Health & Fertility).
Responsible	D. Hewitt (Chairman)

 

Genetic Analysis Working Group

Purpose	The purpose of the group is to provide the relevant information to help member organization to operate and manage business related to DNA analyses mainly for herd book keeping and genetic evaluation. The goal of the working group is also to create guidelines and standards facilitating the exchange of information of genetic analyses by member organizations. The laboratories performing genetic analyses used by ICAR member organizations for animal recording and genetic evaluation must follow the standard procedures proposed by the “genetic analysis working group” and approved by ICAR General Assembly.
Species – Breeds – Traits
Standards & Guidelines	To create standards relatively to animal identification through microsatellites analysis To create standards to verify relationship among animals through microsatellites analysis To create standards to test genotypes for K-casein, BLAD, Weaver, DUMPS, Red factor, Freemartinism, Polled, Mulefoot, b-Mannosidosis, Mutation 1/29. Other genotype analysis can be included if requested by member organizations
Services & Other	Each ICAR member organizations needs to indicate the laboratories for performing the genetic analysis for herd book keeping, performance recording and genetic evaluation. The laboratory must have the following requisites: The laboratory must be free from any external pressure, as finance problems, commercial links that might influence any technical activities. The laboratory can not be involved in any activities causing lack of independence and correctness of judgment and of instruments calibration The laboratory personnel must take all information and results under strict confidentiality and security The laboratory personnel must have the correct qualification to perform the required genetic analyses The laboratory must have the necessary instruments to perform the required genetic analysis The laboratory must regularly take part of the ISAG comparison tests  The accomplishment of the laboratory requirements must be checked by the ICAR member organization.
Issues & Points for Discussion
Responsible	P. Ajmone-Marsan (Chairman)

 

Functional Traits Working Group

Purpose	Stimulate development of functional trait recording
Species – Breeds – Traits	Cattle Dairy Breeds in developed countries Functional traits
Standards & Guidelines	Health traits & recording methods Fertility traits & recording methods Methods for testing accuracy of recorded data Presentation of health & fertility information for individual cows
Services & Other	Survey of methods of recording used
Issues & Points for Discussion	Revise purpose: To establish standard methods and coding systems for recording functional traits in cattle. Consider expansion of role to include the collection of information required for milk and meat product quality assurance.
Responsible	Eriling Strandberg (Chairman)

 

Intebeef Working Group

Members	Hans J. Schild, Brian Wickham, Hans Wilmink
Species – Breeds – Traits
Standards & Guidelines
Services & Other
Responsible	Brian Wickham (Chairman)

 

Lactation calculation methods Working Group

Purpose	Identify improved lactation yield estimation procedures
Species – Breeds – Traits	Cattle Dairy Breeds Other breeds and species in future? Milk production traits
Standards & Guidelines	Methods for assessing accuracy of lactation yield estimation Data set for testing methods Approved methods for lactation yield calculations Approved methods for utilising alternate am/pm sampling. Approved methods for utilising data where sampling frequency of volume and composition is different
Services & Other	Service for evaluating accuracy of lactation calculation methods. Approval of methods
Issues & Points for Discussion	Examine new methods recently developed in USA, Canada and Holland and make recommendation on their inclusion in guidelines
Responsible	F. Miglior (Chairman)

 

Milk Recording in Goats Working Group

Purpose	Establish milk recording standards for goats
Species – Breeds – Traits	Goats All milking breeds Milk production traits Somatic cells
Standards & Guidelines	Milk recording Frequency and sampling methods
Services & Other	Survey of recording practises
Issues & Points for Discussion	Formalise link with MR in Sheep by making Chairpersons members of each group. Ensure close collaboration with SC Recording Devices. Ensure activities are linked to systems used in developing countries
Responsible	D. Kompan (Chairman)

 

Milk Recording in Sheep Working Group

Purpose	Establish milk recording standards for sheep
Species – Breeds – Traits	Sheep All milking breeds Milk production traits
Standards & Guidelines	Milk recording Sampling methods
Services & Other	Promote electronic identification and automation trials. Stimulate research. Survey of sheep milk recording. Participation in small ruminant forums
Issues & Points for Discussion	Ensure close cooperation with the the Sub-Committee on Recording Devices and the WG on Milk Recording in Goats
Responsible	J.M. Astruc (Chairman)

 

Parentage Recording Working Group

Purpose
Species – Breeds – Traits
Standards & Guidelines
Services & Other
Responsible	Dirk Koorn (Chairman)

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Page last up-dated: 16/05/2008