The Australian Dairy CRC Genomics Program

 The Dairy CRC was established in 2001 with a seven year grant from the Australian Federal Government. Six research partners, four commercial partners, and three dairy industry partners joined the cooperative program. Currently there are 45 full time equivalent scientists involved. The program is focussed on applying genomic, genotyping, proteomic and bioactivity sciences alongside advanced reproductive technologies and deep pedigree analysis towards adding value to milk and milk’s productivity in the supply chain. The scientific approach involves applying advanced discovery platforms and bioinformatics to the lactation genome of a range of animal species (cow, wallaby (marsupial), seal, mouse, sheep). This strategy aims to deploy biodiversity as a tactic in discovering information which will assist with gaining useful insights in to the bovine – most especially with traits which are currently not measured or are difficult to measure in the dairy cow (eg lactation length, energy utilisation efficiency, mammary development, gain/loss of mammary lactation activity).