Breeding for Heat

Breeding for Heat

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Climate changes lead to DNA changes. It's always controversial when you bring up climate change but let's put the controversy aside and make note of a recent Los Angeles Times article which started with the headline: Scientists race to develop farm animals to survive climate change. The gist of the article is that scientists are looking for ways to produce agriculture animals that can grow and multiply in a climate which is increasingly warm. This is not about genetic modification, it's more about selective breeding presumably. Prominently mentioned was the fact that “a team of researchers from the University of Delaware traveled to Africa two years ago to search for exemplary chickens, they weren't looking for plump thighs or delicious eggs.

They were seeking out birds that could survive a hotter planet. I ran into a similar line of thinking when I visited with a friend from the South who raises Brahmas because of their tolerance for heat. Brahma’s originated in India where it's not exactly sunny and mild throughout the year. Anyway, as usual, I went to Mr. always has a thoughtful answer to my questions, Wyatt Prescott of the Idaho Association. “Naturally as part of our industry we continue to develop genetics and increase our efficiency and our sustainability in being able to keep up with our environment and to make ourselves better operating under our existing environment and climate, whatever it may be. Everything we do in the industry is a part of that.

 

 

 

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