The Cue lab conducts quantitative genetic research on dairy and beef cattle, and swine. Most of our research is applied, typically involving biometrical and statistical analyses of large-scale, field-recorded data from milk recording, beef recording and swine recording programmes.
Current research topics include genetic variability of lifetime profitability, correlations between production traits and body weight, and realised selection intensities. Previous work, in collaboration with Valacta, has developed models for predicting dairy heifer growth to first calving, as an aid to farm management.
In addition to scientific, academic publications we develop and prototype software tools, resulting from our academic research in animal breeding and farm animal recording systems and our use of these large databanks.
The Cue lab carries out research in two main areas:1) quantitative genetics in farm species (primarily dairy cattle), and,
2) use of large data banks for modelling for on-farm management. This second area involves collaboration with Lactanet and the McGill Dairy Information Systems Group, as well as international collaboration.
Recent studies have looked at what selection the dairy industry (typically AI centes, and dairy producers) are making in each of the 4 pathways of genetic improvement: Male-to-Male; Male-to-Female; Female-to-Male, and Female-to-Female. See the below scientific articles:
Hagan, B. A., Moro-Mendez, J., and Cue, R. I. 2021. Realised genetic selection differentials in Canadian Ayrshire, Jersey and Brown Swiss dairy cattle populations. J. Dairy Sci. v104:P1951-1966.
Hagan, B. A., Cue, Moro-Mendez, J., and Cue, R. I. 2020. Realised genetic selection differentials in Canadian Holstein dairy herds. J. Dairy Sci, V103:P1651-1666
Hagan, B. A., and Cue, R. I. 2020. Generation intervals in Canadian dairy cattle herds. Can. J. Animal Sci, v100:P175-183
We have recently completed studies looking at the impact of mastitis, and feet & legs problems of dairy cattle, on overall production and profitability:
Puerto, Maria; Shepley, Elise; Cue, R. I., Warner, Daniel; Dubuc, Jocelyn; Vasseur, Elsa. 2021. The hidden cost of disease: II. The impact of the first incidence of lameness on production and economic indicators of primiparous dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. v104, (7), P7944-7955
Puerto, Maria; Shepley, Elise; Cue, R. I. Warner, Daniel; Dubuc, Jocelyn; Vasseur, Elsa. 2021. The hidden cost of disease: I. The impact of the first incidence of mastitis on production and economic indicators of primiparous dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci., v104,(7) P7932-7943
Goncalves, J. L., Cue, R. I. , Netto, L. E., Gameiro, A, and dos Santos, M. V. 2021. Herd-level associations between somatic cell counts and economic performance indicators in Brazilian dairy herds. J. Dairy Sci.104:P1855-1863
In addition to scientific, academic publications we develop and prototype software tools, resulting from our academic research in animal breeding and farm animal recording systems and our use of these large databanks. One example of this is a computer model to predict dairy heifer grouwth (weight and height) up to first calving, to aid in optimizing age at first breeding:
Duplessis, M, Cue, R. I., Santschi, D. E., Lefebvre, D. M., and Lacroix, R. 2015. Weight, height and relative reliability indicators as a management tool for reducing age at first breeding and calving of dairy heifers. J. Dairy Science, V98:P2063-2073
Cue, R. I., Pietersma, D., Lefebvre, D., Lacroix, R., Wade, K. M., Pellerin, D., de Passillé, A-M. and Rushen, J. 2012. Growth modeling of dairy heifers in Québec based on random regression. Can. J. Anim. Sci V92:P33-47.
Statistical Methods II, AEMA 610, public web site
R version of some Statistical Methods II material
Department web page : R. Cue
Department of Animal Science homepage
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences homepage
McGill University homepage