On-farm nanopore sequencing for genomic breeding values in livestock

The the identification and selection for beneficial mutations in the genomes of reared plants and animals, has been relied on in farming to improve output and efficiency. To test the ability of MinION to deliver ultra-fast "on-farm" genomics, Harrison Lamb conducted on-site genotyping of brahman heifer, large hybrid cattle, to see if the existing protocol of sending samples to a lab resulting in long turnaround times could be improved. Through comparing the results of off-farm and nanopore sequencing methods, with single nucleotide consensus rates of 97.3% the results of rapid genotyping using a MinION demonstrate the room for growth of farming output enabled by nanopore sequencing.