New Haplotype Call: HMW

December CDCB evaluations include a new haplotype call for Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome. This is a genetic condition that remains under investigation by Holstein Association USA (HAUSA).

Abbreviated HMW, U.S. genetic evaluations now include the reporting of noncarrier (0), carrier (1), homozygous (2), probable carrier (3), or probable homozygous (4) status of an animal for Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome (abbreviated MW).

Holstein Association USA has announced that, with the December 5 genetic evaluation release, HWM information  can be found in the same places as other haplotype information. 

The development of the HMW haplotype call has been a top priority for CDCB, USDA AGIL, HAUSA and NAAB prior to the condition’s first introduction to the industry in April 2023.
 
Last year, farmers in several states contacted researchers at Penn State about a suspected genetic condition characterized by a calf’s inability to stand up or remain standing if assisted. This condition was initially referred to as calf recumbency. According to current research, this disorder usually begins within the first two months of life, when calves exhibit muscle weakness, become unthrifty, and succumb to secondary health problems, such as pneumonia, or are euthanized.
 
The best tool for discovering and understanding new genetic conditions is farmer reporting. As breeders perform gene tests on animals, they are encouraged to submit test results to HAUSA. A collaboration is in place between HAUSA and CDCB to confidentially exchange these gene test results as a tool to improve the HMW call and decrease the number of animals with a 3 or 4 HMW result in future evaluations.