In the evolving world of agriculture, genetic testing and genotyping have opened new doors, offering farmers a deeper understanding of their livestock and crops. Genomic testing allows for the identification of traits tied to productivity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability, providing insights that can drive smarter breeding and selection decisions.
Yet, while this technology promises substantial benefits, it’s natural to be uncertain about whether it’s the right fit for your specific needs. Don’t worry – we are here to help.
This blog provides a cost-benefit analysis of genomic testing, examining both the tangible and strategic gains genetic testing can offer. With a clear breakdown of the potential returns and practical considerations, you can make an informed economic evaluation of whether genomic testing and genomic selection align with your farm’s specific goals and resources.
What is genomic testing?
Genomic testing examines an animal’s or plant’s DNA to reveal the genetic markers linked to valuable traits. By understanding these markers, farmers can make more precise breeding choices to cultivate animals with desirable qualities, improve their quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and pursue genetic gain.
Since its introduction, genomic testing has evolved from a high-tech innovation into an essential asset for many farmers. For example, dairy farmers can use genomic testing to identify cows with the greatest potential for feed conversion, resulting in healthier, more productive herds. Moreover, genetic testing allows farmers to anticipate and mitigate potential health and productivity issues within their livestock. By optimising breeding decisions, farmers can not only achieve better outcomes but also contribute to sustainable practices, creating robust, adaptable herds and crops.
While genomic testing offers compelling advantages, it does come with upfront costs and requires an economic evaluation of the return on investment. The expenses will vary depending on the scope of testing, the species involved, and the scale of the operation. Many farmers, however, find that the ability to select for favourable traits and reduce future management costs more than justifies this investment.
Want to learn more about genomic testing? Read our previous blog.
The costs of genomic testing
Initial investment
The initial investment for animal testing will vary significantly based on the number of animals tested and the specific traits being evaluated. Parent verification, which relies on fewer genetic markers, is an excellent and cost-effective entry point for genetic testing. It enables producers to identify unproductive animals by verifying parentage, which supports more effective culling and management decisions.
In comparison, full genotyping is a slightly more costly option but provides far greater insight, including estimated breeding values (EBVs) and a broader spectrum of genetic information. This additional data can be invaluable for breeding programs aiming to improve specific traits, cultivate genetic variation and enhance overall herd quality.
Initially, you’ll also likely need to consider analysing all your sires and dams, plus offspring, to establish baseline data.
Ongoing costs
It’s important to consider that animal testing often isn’t a one-off expense; repeated testing over time is typically recommended. This approach allows farmers to track the long-term impact of decisions informed by genetic insights. By investing in periodic testing, you can measure the effectiveness of their breeding and selection strategies, quantifying tangible improvements in the traits you’ve focused on.
This ongoing assessment is beneficial, as it provides clear, data-backed feedback on the success of breeding goals, helping farmers make continuous adjustments to maximise productivity and animal quality. Repeated genetic testing transforms the initial investment into a sustained improvement process, delivering measurable outcomes that support more informed management and strategic decision-making.
Labor and time
The time investment involved in genomic testing – collecting samples, analysing data, and reviewing findings to inform breeding decisions – is a crucial commitment. However, while collecting samples and interpreting results may require additional labour, this investment can yield far-reaching benefits in breeding outcomes.
In fact, many farmers already spend significant time making breeding decisions and evaluating parentage, but traditional methods often rely on less precise data. With genetic tests, the time dedicated to these activities becomes more productive, as the results provide a detailed, accurate foundation for decision-making. This process can enhance breeding outcomes by identifying the genetic potential of each animal, allowing for better selection of desirable traits and more targeted breeding strategies.
Ultimately, this commitment to a more data-driven approach pays off by enabling more accurate parentage verification and refined breeding decisions that are aligned with long-term goals for herd improvement.
The benefits of genomic testing
Better breeding decisions
One of the most significant benefits of genomic selection in livestock is that these breeding decisions can have a transformative impact on both product quality and breeding efficiency. By selecting animals based on precise genetic insights, farmers can significantly improve the quality of their livestock, producing animals with desirable traits such as better growth rates, disease resistance, wool or meat quality, and fertility. This translates into a higher-quality product that meets market demands more effectively, ultimately boosting the farm’s reputation and profitability.
Healthier livestock
Breeding decisions informed by genomic analysis can lead to livestock that are more resistant to common diseases, benefiting overall herd health and reducing the reliance on medical interventions. Genomic testing allows farmers to identify animals with specific genetic markers associated with disease resistance, enabling the selection of animals that are naturally more resilient to ailments such as respiratory infections, parasitic infestations, or metabolic disorders, driving better clinical outcomes.
Economic gains
Genomic testing can significantly reduce costs and boost revenue by enhancing feed efficiency, breeding precision, disease resilience, and product quality. With genomic insights, farmers can identify animals that grow efficiently on less feed, lowering feed costs while maintaining productivity. Precise genetic selection allows targeted breeding, accelerating genetic gains and reducing resources spent on less productive animals.
By identifying animals naturally resistant to common diseases, genomic testing also cuts veterinary costs and reduces losses from illness, leading to a healthier, more resilient herd. Additionally, animals bred for traits like improved meat marbling, fibre quality, or milk yield produce higher-value products, commanding premium prices in the market. Together, these factors drive a more cost-effective, sustainable, and profitable operation.
The value of genomic testing
This cost-effectiveness analysis highlights that, for most farmers, the return on investment in genomic testing significantly outweighs the cost. By improving feed and breeding efficiency, reducing disease management expenses, and enhancing product quality, genomic testing offers both cost savings and increased revenue potential. For farmers looking to maximise their operation’s profitability and resilience, these benefits make genomic testing a highly worthwhile investment.
As an experienced authority in animal genomics, XytoVet is here to help you navigate genomic testing. If you have any questions or want to discuss how genomic testing could drive genetic improvement for your farm, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
