Total Genetic Resource Management

What is TGRM?

TGRM constitutes a powerful new paradigm for exploiting state-of-the-art genetic technologies in genetic improvement programs. It can be applied in all species for which there is control of breeding, with power to accommodate all key technical, logistical and cost issues, as well as practitioner attitudes. Applications to date have involved use of DNA markers, IVF, embryo transfer, maintenance of genetic diversity, inbreeding, crossbreeding, targeting multiple market end-points, animal migration, and maximisation of enterprise profit.

TGRM acts tactically, providing reports for direct action on semen, oocyte and embryo collection, use of DNA marker information, stock selections and mate allocations. TGRM has been developed as an integrated client/server system for delivery via the Internet, with associated benefits such as user support, automatic upgrading, software security, activity recording, and options for seamless interface to national databases.

TGRM works with your existing genetic evaluation system, such as Lambplan or Breedplan, to provide a complete solution.

TGRM has been used in a number of species, including beef, meat and wool sheep, pigs and rabbits.

What TGRM does.

TGRM is driven by specifying desired outcomes - outcomes in genetic gains, exploiting heterosis, maintenance of genetic diversity, operational costs, logistical constrains to be satisfied, etc.

TGRM works tactically, meaning that it makes the on-the-ground decisions at the level of existing animals (or groups of animals), using prevailing EBV’s, operational constraints, prices etc. This is quite different from breeding aids that provide information, typically on trait EBVs, and then leave a gap to implementation.

In any breeding operation, there is an almost infinite range of actions that can be made, involving decisions on issues such as animal selection, semen and embryo collection and purchase, and mate allocations. Each set of actions is predicted to have a given utility to the breeder - based on factors such as genetic gains, risk, costs and constraints satisfied. TGRM works by searching across all these possible routes ahead, and finding the one that is predicted to best suit the breeder’s needs. This has only recently become possible because of development of efficient computing algorithms that mimic evolutionary processes to find the best solution.

TGRM has been used across multiple flocks, in developing composites, in MOET beef operations, in meat sheep operations using Oocyte pickup with IVF, and in MAS programs using genotype probabilities for quantitative trait loci. It provides a vehicle for new technologies to compete appropriately for attention in the breeding program.

The key output from TGRM is a mating list, telling the breeder which selections and matings to make.  This list also dictates a range of actions such as semen and embryo collection, purchase of breeding stock, semen and embryos, and migration of animals between breeding units or farms within the run that has been carried out.

How to use TGRM.

If you are a breeder who is not train in TGRM, then you should contact a TGRM operator.  If you do not know of a TGRM operator, contact Susan Meszaros (smeszaro@metz.une.edu.au).  Consultants and breeders can be trained as TGRM operators.

The TGRM operator works with the breeder and the agency providing estimates of Breeding Value (EBVs) to develop a TGRM data file.  This process can be automated with an Internet interface to appropriate databases, as has been done for Lambplan.

The TGRM operator launches the TGRM Control Center using an Internet connection from his/her own computer.  The operator works with (or for) the breeder to arrive at an ideal solution to the current round of selection and mating. [This may in fact be an early run simply to make castration or semen/embryo purchase decisions].  The breeder must supply a range of information on issues such as limits to funds available (where required) and number of mating paddocks, and should be prepared to exercise judgment about the suitability of different outcomes to his or her needs.

When an ideal solution has been generated on the Control Center, the report generation button is clicked, and the Operator is led to a secure Web address where the report has been posted.  From here the mating list can be configured to fit with local operational needs, and the list downloaded as text, or as a file to be opened in Microsoft Excel®.

What issues can TGRM handle?

Key issues that can be handled include:

We have handled all the issues mentioned above.  Work is underway or planned:

In addition, other work has opened the way to running TGRM on very large data sets, including 'automatic' browsing of electronically available EBV reports, accommodation of information only available as group means, etc.

Dynamic control of desired outcomes - see TGRM Control Centre.

Data requirements for TGRM ... click here.

How does TGRM operate? 

How do I access TGRM? 

The University of New England (UNE) and Meat & Livestock Australia Limited (MLA) are joint owners of TGRM.  TGRM is currently going through a commercialisation phase.  In the meantime, make contact as follows:

Australian & New Zealand Sheep or Goat Breeders/Groups:  Contact Lambplan.
Australian & New Zealand Beef Breeders/Groups:  Contact Andrew Chalmers achalmers@mla.com.au
Other species in Australian & New Zealand: Contact Aubrey Egan aegan@metz.une.edu.au
Other species outside Australian & New Zealand: Contact Aubrey Egan aegan@metz.une.edu.au

Further reading:

The following material is in Acrobat PDF format:

TGRM brochure - for a general description.

A book chapter - for more detail.

Easy description from Ebor Beef Newsletter No 101, 12 March, 1999.

Some more easy description from the 1999 World Gelbvieh Conference.

More detail from South African Association of Animal Science, 1998 meeting.

TGRMtalk discussion group.  Send a message to majordomo@metz.une.edu.au and put into the message body the following: subscribe tgrmtalk

Contacting us.

We are keen to extend our activities in this promising area.  For general advice on applicability of TGRM to your breeding operation contact Susan Meszaros (see below).   Contact one of the following (or enquiries@tgrm.une.edu.au) to enquire about setting up a TGRM run.  All can give advice on use of TGRM:

TGRM operators:

Bronwyn Clarke (bclarke@agric.wa.gov.au). Western Australia.  Phone 08 9368 3681  Mobile  0418 957 293

Susan Jarvis (aramis@dove.net.au). Southern Australia. Phone 03 5574 3298  Mobile 0419 342 018  Fax  03 5574 3299

Karen Marshall (kmarsha2@metz.une.edu.au). UNE.  Phone 02 6773 3781  Fax 02 6773 3275

TGRM development and advice:

Susan Meszaros (smeszaro@metz.une.edu.au).   MLA Research Fellow.  Susan develops custom TGRM functions.  Phone 02 6773 3004  Fax 02 6773 3275

Alex Ball (aball@metz.une.edu.au). LAMBPLAN Business Manager.  Alex refers sheep clients, and coordinates data management and reporting for TGRM.  Phone 02 6773 2493  Fax 02 6773 3275

Roddy Vagg (abosque@metz.une.edu.au). Internet programming for remote access.  Phone 02 6773 3978  Fax 02 6773 3275

Rob Banks (rbanks@metz.une.edu.au).   LAMBPLAN National Coordinator.  Robert monitors impact of TGRM and develops new patterns of use.

Brian Kinghorn (bkinghor@metz.une.edu.au). Twynam Chair of Animal Breeding Technologies.  Brian developed the original TGRM mate selection method and software and develops custom functions.

Total Resource Management

There are early developments underway on extending TGRM into Total Resource Management (TRM).   Click here for some details.

 Return to Brian Kinghorn's homepage.