Members

The Members of the Genetic Services Network are organizations that collaborate to advance genetic improvement programs in the livestock industry in Canada.

Each member brings unique expertise and resources, working together to achieve a common goal of enhancing the genetic potential of livestock across the country.

AgSights

AgSights is a not-for-profit member co-operative based in Elora, Ontario. Their goal is to help members manage their data to provide real-time insights that inform decision-making for the improvement of farms or agri-food businesses. Since 1993, AgSights has provided across-breed genetic evaluation and performance testing services for Canadian beef cattle producers, and additionally supports the Canadian beef, sheep, goat, and bison industries with data management solutions.

Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement

Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI) is a national not-for-profit corporation created by the Canadian pork industry in 1994 to provide leadership, coordination and services for swine genetic improvement in Canada. National genetic evaluation services are also provided routinely for dairy goats and support is provided for genetic services to other species in collaboration with other Canadian livestock service organizations.

Canadian Goat Society

The Canadian Goat Society maintains the Herd books for nine purebred breeds of goats and a Special Registry for upgraded animals as specified under the animal pedigree act, which are: Alpine, Angora, La Mancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Pygmy, Saanen and Toggenburg. CGS is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of its herdbooks, providing accurate evaluation programs for performance and type, and promoting the responsible and humane treatment of goats.

Canadian Livestock Records Corporation

Canadian Livestock Records Corporation (CLRC), is a private not-for-profit organization with roots dating back to 1905. Incorporated under the Government of Canada’s Animal Pedigree Act, an act that regulates the keeping of animal pedigree records, CLRC provides member breed associations with registry services as well as general business administration.

Canadian Meat Goat Association

The CMGA is the national voice for the Canadian meat goat industry. The primary purpose of the Association is the establishment of breeding standards, the keeping of pedigree records and the carrying out of a credible system of registration for meat goats in Canada. Further purposes of the Association are to improve meat goats genetics by identifying superior performance, and to promote meat goats as a long term, stable source of income in a diversified farming and ranching economy.

Canadian Sheep Breeders' Association

The mission of Canadian Sheep Breeders’ Association is to represent all Canadian sheep breeders by providing leadership aimed at ensuring the integrity and genetic advancement of purebred sheep through cooperative work among all levels of government and industry-related organizations, both domestic and international, to enhance the viability, growth and prosperity of the Canadian sheep industry.

Centre d'expertise en production ovine du Québec

As a center of expertise, CEPOQ supports the development of the sheep and goats industries. It contributes to innovation and knowledge transfer through its genetic programs (GenOvis), health programs (Maedi Visna and AEC), projects and services.

Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock

CGIL is an international leader in education, research and promotion of animal breeding, genetics and genomics of livestock. Established in 1984, CGIL is located at the University of Guelph and involves faculty, post-graduates, and students in a variety of areas of genetic improvement of livestock species including cattle, swine, sheep, goat and turkey. CGIL has an updated central computing facility and expertise applying computationally intensive methodologies required for genetic and genomic research. CGIL’s activities are also supported by several research stations located in Guelph’s vicinity.

Ontario Sheep Farmers

Ontario Sheep Farmers is a producer-run organization representing all aspects of the sheep, lamb and wool industry in the province. OSF’s mandate is to promote and represent the industry, as well as improve marketing through producer education, promotional campaigns, consumer education and public awareness.