The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in
animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important
candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant
traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the
identification of a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the
bovine genes encoding leptin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and
mitochondrial transcription factor A and their association with the
economically relevant traits of dairy form and productive life. The
invention further encompasses methods and systems, including
network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating
to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic
and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on
genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions,
animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and
data from field locations.