DNA test presents possible solution for beef industry's dehorning procedures

ABC A new DNA test has nearly 100 per cent accuracy to test whether a bull will develop horns.

Dehorning, the confronting and bloody procedure many in the beef industry feared would be its next animal welfare flashpoint, could soon be a thing of the past.

A $25 DNA test, which identifies whether a bull carries the gene for horns or not, means producers can now confidently and quickly breed horned animals out of their herds.

"Using normal breeding practices it would take 39 years, but the new Poll Gene Marker test reduces that down to eight years," former Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) CEO Scott Hansen said.

"This is a great breakthrough for the industry. It's been a really transformational piece of work."

A DNA test was released four years ago with one gene marker, but there were accuracy problems with some breeds.

The new test identifies 10 gene markers for polledness - animals born without horns - and has nearly 100 per cent accuracy across all breeds.

The RSPCA, which wants dehorning phased out, has praised the beef industry for investing grower levies in animal welfare research.

"Even though it will take some years, it's great to see an industry be progressive and look at ways for reducing or indeed eliminating procedures that are painful for animals," the RSPCA's Melina Tensen said.

"It's absolutely fabulous. Farmers now have this option that they can use to basically eliminate the need for dehorning."

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DNA test presents possible solution for beef industry's dehorning procedures