Chapelton policy on Tibial Hemimilia (TH)
Chapelton Beef Shorthorns' policy is to offer for sale only cattle which are tested free of TH or from TH free parents.
Tibial Hemimelia (TH) is a genetic disorder caused by a recessive gene which has become a concern for the Shorthorn breed in North America.
TH is inherited in the same way as horned and polled genes. When a carrier is mated with a non carrier none of the offspring will have the disorder, half of the progeny will be carriers and half will be free from the problem. When a carrier is mated to another carrier a quarter of the calves will have the disorder, half will be carriers and a quarter will be free from the problem. Calves with the disorder do not survive due to skeletal and abdominal deformities.
Recently Dr Jon Beever from the University of Illinois has identified the gene that causes the problem and has validated a DNA test to identify carrier animals. He has now been granted a permit to import blood samples to the USA , it is therefore possible to have animals from the UK tested.
We have recently taken full advantage of this test and had all cattle with imported bloodlines screened to identify carriers. I am pleased to report that the results of these tests have shown that only 2 females in the herd carry the gene and through continued use of the test we plan to eliminate the defective gene.
For more details on our Herd Health Policy please follow this link.