VSN International

👩🍳To celebrate National STEM Day, we’re doing cookbook Friday! 👨🍳 Featuring ASReml-R’s recipe for genomic prediction modelling 🧁 Maybe not quite as tasty as a cupcake, but it’s certainly a recipe for accelerating your breeding program’s discovery journey 🌱 Genomic prediction modelling provides valuable insight into your data and facilitates the selection of top varieties. As DNA sequencing is getting faster and cheaper, using marker SNP data is becoming increasingly common in breeding programmes. However, this data usually requires some form of checking and cleaning to be used efficiently. 💡At VSNi, we’ve developed the free ASRgenomics R package to simplify this process! Our ASReml-R Cookbook features two comprehensive examples that guide you through: 🌱Filtering marker data 🌱Obtaining a genomic relationship matrix (GRM) 🌱Conducting quality diagnostics on the GRM 🌱Bending or blending the GRM as needed 🌱Acquiring the inverse form of the GRM With the ASRgenomics R package, you can achieve a clean, accurate and well-conditioned GRM, ready for seamless integration into your genomic prediction models, whether using ASReml-R or other software packages. 🌐 Learn more about the capabilities of ASReml-R and ASRgenomics with these TWO real life examples with downloadable scripts: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekfq_PAu 👉 https://lnkd.in/eAQugrZP #NationalSTEMDay #DNASequencing #SustainableAgriculture #GenomicPrediction #DataScience #ASRemlCookbook

🌱 New Blog: Do Mice Matter? The Impact of Mice on New Zealand Ecosanctuaries 🌱 In our latest blog, Dr. Vanessa Cave delves into a critical yet often-overlooked threat to New Zealand’s fenced ecosanctuaries: mice 🐭 🌿 These ecosanctuaries have been established to protect native plant and animal species and restore the natural balance. However, mice have proven challenging to control, posing serious risks to the native biodiversity. 📈 Through a detailed study at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, scientists used Genstat's advanced statistical tools to track how mouse populations impact invertebrate life. The findings are striking. Read the article for the full details: https://lnkd.in/emN3zjkC #Conservation #Genstat #VSNi #NZWildlife #ConservationScience #NativeEcosystems

We’re sharing some insightful findings from a recent paper with GxE in Aquaculture using ASReml 🔬 We’re proud to play a part in studies like this and are on hand to assist with all parts of your breeding program, from providing powerful software to expert guidance and technical support. Learn more about our consultancy service 👉https://lnkd.in/e3Uaqevr Exploring Genotype-by-Environment Interactions in Chinook Salmon Using ASReml This study provides fresh insights into how Chinook salmon respond to different water flow environments - an essential factor for breeding programs in aquaculture. The paper investigates whether salmon require separate performance evaluation and selection for traits across various rearing conditions, addressing key performance aspects like weight, growth and feed intake.   Using ASReml for genetic parameter estimation, the study explored genotype-by-environment interactions by fitting a GBLUP model and calculated heritabilities and genetic correlations for traits in low and moderate flow regimes. Results suggest minimal evidence to suggest that the GxE interaction affects production performance across flow conditions - insightful findings for efficient salmon breeding!   Read more about the methodology and findings here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dP_r4wEU #AquacultureResearch #BreedingInnovation #GenotypeByEnvironment #SalmonBreeding #ASReml

🔥 Spark new insights this bonfire night with 50% Off our Genomic Selection Course 🎇 Don’t miss out on this limited-time offer for 50% off the "Implementing Genomic Selection: From Theory to Practice" E-Learning course. All datasets used are real-life examples, plus you’ll get a free 90-day ASReml-R license and flexible course access for 90 days, allowing you to complete it at your own pace. Explore essential genomic models like Bayes A/B, genomic-BLUP, rrBLUP, RKHS and more. Ideal for researchers, breeders and students eager to apply genomic prediction in their work. 👉 Sign up before 30th November to enjoy the discount: https://lnkd.in/eR3ixFn5 Discount Code: GS50NOV #eLearning #VSNi #GenomicSelection #BreedingPrograms

Great to see #ASReml featured in NC State Plant Breeding Consortium's upcoming workshop on computing skills in plant breeding! This is a fantastic opportunity for plant breeders and students to expand their data analysis skills. More details below... 🌱 #PlantBreeding #DataAnalysis

🌱 Celebrating the Power of Data in Agriculture with the Rapid Cooking Bean Project 🌱 Our latest case study highlights the transformative Rapid Cooking Bean Project, a remarkable initiative showcasing how innovative breeding techniques and robust data analysis have revolutionised bean growing in East Africa 📈 This project, which has harnessed the power of ASReml-R, has led to the development of biofortified bean varieties that are not only enriched with essential nutrients, but also offer significantly reduced cooking times. This development makes meals healthier and more accessible for countless families. Why ASReml-R Matters: 🌾Enhanced Genetic Gains: With ASReml-R's advanced statistical tools, researchers and breeders have been able to analyse complex datasets, driving faster and more effective breeding decisions that focus on high-impact traits. 🌾Precision and Efficiency: By streamlining the data analysis process, ASReml-R has enabled breeders to quickly identify and select for desirable traits, such as rapid cooking times and improved nutritional content. 🌾Empowering Local Expertise: The project has equipped local breeders with the skills needed to leverage ASReml-R for ongoing improvements in bean varieties. This aids long-term sustainability in food production. A heartfelt congratulations to Professor Wallace Cowling and Dr. Mukankusi Clare for their extensive work on this impactful project. Together, we’re proving that when powerful technology meets innovative breeding, we can achieve remarkable results for communities and the planet. Read the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/eQJUSavv #ASRemlR #PlantBreeding #SustainableAgriculture #RapidCookingBeanProject #VSNi

Following an incredible couple of days at the GxExM Symposium, here’s your reminder to pre-register for our extended, in-person version of our well-regarded Genomic Analysis & Prediction course 🔬 Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attend in person and gain hands-on experience with genomic analysis in real-world settings 🌱 For early access and exclusive updates, follow the link: https://lnkd.in/emigmKJv #GenomicAnalysis #GenomicPrediction #DataScience #BreedingInnovation #GxExM

It’s the final day of GxExM and the team has enjoyed all the presentations and discussions around the modelling and prediction of GxExM data and interactions 🌾 🏆 We’ve been running a competition with a scatter plot comparing predicted vs. genomic breeding values and asked participants to guess the correlation to 3 decimal places. We’re pleased to reveal the answer and announce our winners! The answer was.... 0.438 In first place, with 0.444 was Kaye Basford - Congratulations! 🎉 Harimurti Buntaran was second with his guess of 0.445 and Martin Boer came a close third with 0.451 - well done to you both and to everyone else who had a go! 🔗 There’s still time to watch the final presentations and follow the symposium online until 17:15pm (CET): https://lnkd.in/efW_9pUt Otherwise, thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with the team. We look forward to continuing the conversations at future events and training opportunities. Follow us to be the first in the know! #GxExM2024 #VSNi #DataDrivenBreeding #CustomSolutions

🚀GxExM is underway! 🚀 The VSNi team are having a great time meeting everyone at the stand. Dr. Salvador Gezan, Dr. Valérie Poupon and Owen McIntosh are on hand to discuss how we can support you with your breeding goals. For those who haven’t been over yet, they’ve got prizes! Dr. Salvador Gezan has presented his talk on "Modelling GxExM: Pitfalls to Avoid and Strategies to Adopt” to a packed audience - a real highlight. For those not joining in person, you can participate in the two-day GxExM Symposium for FREE online. Watch this space for further updates brought to you from the event at Wageningen University & Research. 🔗Full Event Details, including programme and online participation: (https://lnkd.in/efW_9pUt) #GxExM #AgriScience #PlantScience #Breeding #CropModeling

🚀It’s GxExM Week! 🚀 For those of you attending in person on Wednesday and Thursday, it’s a great chance to meet the team and join Dr. Salvador Gezan as he presents his talk on "Modelling GxExM: Pitfalls to Avoid and Strategies to Adopt”. For those not joining in person, you can participate in the two-day GxExM Symposium for FREE online. 📅 Dates: 30-31 October 2024 📍 Location: Wageningen Campus, The Netherlands This event aims to share understanding and approaches to predict crop performance, accounting for Genotype by Environment by Management (GxExM) Interactions: Considering Breeder, Agronomist and Farmer Perspectives. 🔗Full Event Details, including programme and online participation: (https://lnkd.in/efW_9pUt) #GxExM #AgriScience #PlantScience #Breeding #CropModeling