NORDIC DAIRY CATTLE R&D A research coordination initiative Call for applications February 1, 2015 - for projects starting 2016

A joint Nordic call for project applications, organized by Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D, is hereby announced. It is displayed on all owner organization websites. The deadline for applications is February 1, 2015 The farmer-owned organizations behind this joint research initiative are Växa Sverige (SE), Tine SA (NO), the Federation of Norwegian Agricultural Co-operatives, ProAgria (FI), Faba Coop (FI), Valio (FI) and the Knowledge Centre for Agriculture – Cattle (DK). They have decided to harmonize their research focus where they have common interests. Thus, we hereby announce this research call within dairy production and associated beef cattle production. Aims The overall aim is to ensure sustainable and competitive dairy farming and related industries based on solving the major issues of today and tomorrow. The coordinated research initiative also aims at sharing costs between Nordic farmers. Thereby, more research resources should be available in total. It would also help avoid duplicate research work across countries, i.e. similar or identical projects in the same time period. The efficiency of applied dairy cattle research in the Nordic countries would consequently be improved. This will be achieved through coordination leading to common research applications and also stimulation of rapid implementation of results and findings into practice. Therefore, applications should specify what is novel about the planned study, and also state the likely contribution to industry and society when the research objectives are achieved. Focus area The Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D has decided to prioritize one focus area: - Reproductive sustainability –

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NORDIC DAIRY CAT TLE R&D Call for applications February 1, 2015 - for projects starting 2016

Below is a general description of this focus area. With “Nordic” projects, we refer to projects with activity and funding in two or more Nordic countries. Projects with interdisciplinary approach and 3-4 years duration will be given priority. Reproduction ability is an ultimate prerequisite for taking advantage of the genetic gain generated by the breeding programs. Effective reproduction reducing the environmental load is shown to be a positive marker for animal welfare and is one of the most important factors for the dairy herd economy. New technologies such as tools for automatic estrous detection, continuous measuring of fertility markers in milk such as progesterone, ketone bodies, early pregnancy factors, technology for sexing of semen and calculation of herd specific fertility indices (e.g. heat detection rates) has improved the supervision of cows and the recruitment planning (internal herd growth prognosis). Also, molecular genetics and the definition of the genotype (including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) is a rapid developed research area and have contributed to a deeper understanding of basic reproductive biology. However, the practical use of this knowledge including the linkage to the phenotype and the reproduction traits is still unclear and remains to be clarified. In parallel, herd sizes are growing and there is an increasing demand for tools helping herdsmen to take right decisions in a more complicated multifactorial reproductive landscape to improve profitability. Altogether, the last decade’s research and development has resulted in earlier first inseminations and more eligible cows inseminated and in turn a relatively constant calving interval. On the other hand, AI-data show that fewer cows become pregnant per service seen as decreasing conception rates ending up with fewer live calves born per insemination and high culling rates due to infertility. This negative trend is obvious in most or all of the Nordic countries. Convincing data indicates that the background is an increasing embryonic/fetal mortality. The survival of a conceptus is depending on the reproductive potential of the sperm and the oocyte and the ability by the uterine environment to support the developing offspring. There are a number of interacting factors. Examples are gene compatibility, nutrition (negative energy balance, excess of protein), stress caused by high temperature or competition, uterine and general infections, and finally endogen hormone production (e.g. level of circulating progesterone).

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NORDIC DAIRY CAT TLE R&D Call for applications February 1, 2015 - for projects starting 2016

Important issues: OOThe effect of pre- and postcalving nutrition on oocyte reproductive potential and embryo survival and gene expression related to feeding and fertility. Differences in fertility between breeds in the Nordic countries may be used in the study. Finding phenotypic makers (preferably in milk) for a preferable genotype is of importance. OOThe role of the uterine milieu for the reproductive loss in Nordic dairy cows. The issue is of importance due to an international focus on subclinical endometritis as a common problem among dairy cows which arguments treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The prevalence is largely unknown in the Nordic country but needs further investigations in terms of impact for fertility and possible preventive measures. OOMale and female influence on conception, fetal loss and neonatal survival. This includes problems with increasing inbreeding as well as management imperfects. An unacceptable high stillbirth rate exists especially in Holstein heifers. OOUse of modern biotechnology in dairy cow reproduction. The possibility of genotyping embryos has put new focus on technologies. These technologies are very costly and cooperation between the Nordic countries is needed. OOGenetic effects on fertility. The possibilities for using specific genome information related to fertility traits. Effects of genome selection (GS) on total breeding objective demand closer investigations. Practical information All applications should be submitted to the current national funding bodies in the country where the principal applicant works. The relevant forms and instructions in each national system should thus be used. In addition, a Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D application (appendix) must be included.

The following items are important: OOThe national application must directly refer to the Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D Call, along with the title and/or in the beginning of the introduction. OOThe national application, along with the introduction, must directly describe the planned cooperation with scientists in one or more of the other Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D countries. OOWe request that applicants state a Nordic leader/ coordi-

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NORDIC DAIRY CAT TLE R&D Call for applications February 1, 2015 - for projects starting 2016

nator for the entire project. OOThe language used in the application must be English. OOThe Nordic application must clearly describe the overall project, as well as the national parts. OOThe Nordic application must present a budget for the entire project, and this budget must consist of identifiable parts of budgets from each planned national activity. OOThe budget shall be given in Euro.

Further instructions for applicants: OOMaximum 10 pages. OOTitle of the Nordic project. OOApplicants. OOPlanned partners, including all Nordic partners (names and e-mails) and describe their role. OONordic leader/ coordinator for the project. OOProject period. OOScientific aim and hypotheses. OOScientific tasks and methods. OOR&D-content and key milestones. OONovelty and relevance for national and Nordic dairy industry, including the impact on the food chain value and cost/benefit aspects. OOA short communication plan. OOA short description of how research results are expected to be implemented. OOBudget: Budget must be broken down by year and per country. The Nordic project must describe the planned (an estimate) financial contribution from each of the Nordic countries included. If other financial contributions (own and external) exist, an overview of these would be given.

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NORDIC DAIRY CAT TLE R&D Call for applications February 1, 2015 - for projects starting 2016

Only applications meeting these criteria will be considered for recommendation for funding by the Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D. The applicants can expect answer March 10, 2015. The final decision on funding will be taken in the national funding bodies. The applications shall be sent in nationally to the funding bodies in each country and a copy also to the persons from Nordic Dairy Cattle R&D mentioned below: Anders H Gustafsson (SE) +46 703759941 [email protected] Kim Tram Sørensen (DK) +45 87312062 [email protected] Minna Toivonen (FI) +358 401845174 [email protected] Jessica Kathle (NO) +47 95057206 [email protected] In order to avoid unnecessary work, please contact the relevant national person listed above before starting the writing of the application.

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