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Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

MU Receives Immense Donation from Gust Family
Megan Cooper, Corner Post Staff

April 27, 2004 - Frozen DNA could unlock the secrets to better beef - and MU researchers could help lead the way. MU officials announced that a $5.6 million-dollar donation was being given to the Animal Science Research center to fund some very important livestock research by The David Gust family, owners of Circle A Ranch in Iberia, Mo.

"This gift is the first of its kind in the world," MU Chancellor Richard Wallace said. "It is truly a wonderful day for the University, CAFNR, and for the development campaign."

The 5.6 million dollar donation comes from the records of approximately 6,000 Angus cattle. The records include each animal's pedigree, birth information, weight gain and other growth traits that many leading cattle breeders collect. The records also include ultrasound and packing plant records of carcass composition data, which are rarely collected.

DNA samples from approximately 6,000 steers, their sires, and some of their dams were also donated. These samples are enclosed in plastic tubes which are stored at -80 degrees Celsius, and are numbered to relate DNA information to the individual's performance records.

Only two groups come close to having this information: The USDA Meat Animal Research Center, and the Australian Beef Cooperative Research Center. Not only are their records incomplete, but they are also funded by the government. Circle A database is detailed and complete, and it is a private, commercially viable Angus ranch.

Right now the records and samples are being stored in the labs of MU animal scientist and Wurdack Chair, Jerry Taylor. He has been developing a program in bovine genomics which focuses on identifying the genetic mechanisms of feed efficiency, carcass quality and milk production. Taylor is one of the leading scientists in the world that is conducting this research to find out which genes contribute to important livestock traits such as quality meat production, high feed efficiency and disease resistance.

Where it would usually take approximately 10 years to conduct this research, the donation will allow it to be completed in about two years.

"The gift, coming to MU at this time, just increased the likelihood of their research success by an incalculable amount," CAFNR Dean Tom Payne said.

"To those of us involved in livestock genetics, and to the livestock industry as a whole, this information is practically priceless," Taylor said. "There simply isn't another collection of information this detailed, this complete, on the planet. I am extremely grateful to represent the university in this science."

Eugene "Doc" Hinds, adjunct professor of Veterinary Medicine, congratulated David Gust for having the foresight to put together this kind of information.

"Now we're ready to take meat production to the next level, using genetic information to select desirable animals ahead of time, rather than feeding them, slaughtering them, and seeing if they do or do not have the traits that consumers want," Hinds said.

Dean Payne concluded the occasion by offering sincere thanks to the Gust family.

"Not only will this gift help us with advancing science, but it will help us train lots and lots of students", Payne said. "They will have the opportunity to learn about genetics by example."

"You and your family have truly done a tremendous thing for this University," Payne said.

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