Overview
Background
Professor Hayes has extensive research experience in genetic improvement of livestock, crop, pasture and aquaculture species, with a focus on integration of genomic information into breeding programs, including leading many large scale projects which have successfully implemented genomic technologies in livestock and cropping industries. Author of more than 300 journal papers, including in Nature Genetics, Nature Reviews Genetics, and Science, contributing to statistical methodology for genomic, microbiome and metagenomic profile predictions, quantitative genetics including knowledge of genetic mechanisms underlying complex traits, and development of bioinformatics pipelines for sequence analysis. Thomson Reuters highly cited researcher in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Availability
- Professor Ben Hayes is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Central Queensland University
- Certificate of Quantum Information, Computation and Communication, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research impacts
Genomic prediction, of which Ben Hayes was a co-inventor, and first described in the seminal publication [Meuwissen THE, Hayes BJ, Goddard ME (2001) Prediction of total genetic value using genome-wide dense marker maps. Genetics 157, 1819-1829] is now being used very widely in livestock and crops to predict future trait outcomes. The technology is also being used increasingly in human disease research.
In dairy cattle, the technology has been actively used by the industry for the past five years, and increases in genetic gain for key economic traits can be demonstrated. Nearly every dairy bull worldwide chosen for widespread use in the industry is now selected on the basis of genomic predictions. Dr Hayes has been an invited speaker at numerous high profile conferences, including the Biology of Genomes conference at Cold Spring Harbor May 2015, and also has a number of youtube videos explaining complex trait prediction for a general audience, one of which has been viewed more than 5000 times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovnCsda-zQ).
Ben Hayes led the program on animal improvement of the Dairy Futures CRC, which concluded June 2016. The animal improvement program in the Dairy Futures CRC is a successful research and utilisation program which has a very high level of industry input and collaboration. The value of the program was recognised recently when it was awarded a Cooperative Research Centres Association (CRCA) Award for Excellence in Innovation. The Dairy Futures CRC under the leadership of Dr. Hayes successfully developed and implemented a genomic breeding value for feed efficiency, which has been widely adopted by the industry.
Dr. Hayes established the 1000 bull genomes project, a consortium of over 30 institutes across the globe, which has assembled whole genome sequences of 1682 cattle of 55 breeds. The consortium has published a widely cited paper in Nature Genetics (Daetwyler et al. 2014), and has already led to more than 50 companion papers.
Works
Search Professor Ben Hayes’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
Genetic parameters and response to selection in blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) using a SNP-based pedigree
Nguyen, Thuy T. T., Hayes, Ben J. and Ingram, Brett A. (2014). Genetic parameters and response to selection in blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) using a SNP-based pedigree. Aquaculture, 420-421, 295-301. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.11.021
2014
Journal Article
Genomic selection for feed efficiency in dairy cattle
Pryce, J. E., Wales, W. J., de Haas, Y., Veerkamp, R. F. and Hayes, B. J. (2014). Genomic selection for feed efficiency in dairy cattle. Animal, 8 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.1017/S1751731113001687
2014
Conference Publication
Mapping QTL in Australian dairy cattle using genomic selection methodologies
Kemper, K. E., Vander Jagt, C. J., Bowman, P. J., Reich, C. M., Mason, B. A., Hayes, B. J. and Goddard, M. E. (2014). Mapping QTL in Australian dairy cattle using genomic selection methodologies. World Congress of Geneics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 17-22 August 2014. Vancouver, BC, Canada: World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production.
2014
Journal Article
Thermoregulatory differences in lactating dairy cattle classed as efficient or inefficient based on residual feed intake
DiGiacomo, K., Marett, L. C., Wales, W. J., Hayes, B. J., Dunshea, F. R. and Leury, B. J. (2014). Thermoregulatory differences in lactating dairy cattle classed as efficient or inefficient based on residual feed intake. Animal Production Science, 54 (10), 1877-1881. doi: 10.1071/AN14311
2014
Journal Article
Short communication: Validation of genomic breeding value predictions for feed intake and feed efficiency traits
Pryce, J. E., Gonzalez-Recio, O., Thornhill, J. B., Marett, L. C., Wales, W. J., Coffey, M. P., de Haas, Y., Veerkamp, R. F. and Hayes, B. J. (2014). Short communication: Validation of genomic breeding value predictions for feed intake and feed efficiency traits. Journal of Dairy Science, 97 (1), 537-542. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-7376
2014
Journal Article
Erratum: Improving accuracy of genomic predictions within and between dairy cattle breeds with imputed high-density single nucleotide polymorphism panels (J. Dairy Sci. 95:4114-4129)
Erbe, M., Hayes, B. J., Matukumalli, L. K., Goswami, S., Bowman, P. J., Reich, C. M., Mason, B. A. and Goddard, M. E. (2014). Erratum: Improving accuracy of genomic predictions within and between dairy cattle breeds with imputed high-density single nucleotide polymorphism panels (J. Dairy Sci. 95:4114-4129). Journal of Dairy Science, 97 (10), 6622-6622. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-97-10-6622
2014
Journal Article
Toward genomic prediction from whole-genome sequence data: impact of sequencing design on genotype imputation and accuracy of predictions
Druet, T., Macleod, I. M. and Hayes, B. J. (2014). Toward genomic prediction from whole-genome sequence data: impact of sequencing design on genotype imputation and accuracy of predictions. Heredity, 112 (1), 39-47. doi: 10.1038/hdy.2013.13
2014
Conference Publication
Genomic evaluations in the Australian sheep industry
Swan, A. A, Brown, D. J., Daetwyler, H. D., Hayes, B. J., Kelly, M., Moghaddar, N. and van der Werf, J. H. J. (2014). Genomic evaluations in the Australian sheep industry. 10th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver Canada, 2014.
2013
Journal Article
Author reply to A commentary on Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs
Wray, Naomi R., Yang, Jian, Hayes, Ben J., Price, Alkes L., Goddard, Michael E. and Visscher, Peter M. (2013). Author reply to A commentary on Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs. Nature Reviews Genetics, 14 (12), 894-894. doi: 10.1038/nrg3457-c2
2013
Journal Article
Metagenomics of rumen bacteriophage from thirteen lactating dairy cattle
Ross, Elizabeth M., Petrovski, Steve, Moate, Peter J. and Hayes, Ben J. (2013). Metagenomics of rumen bacteriophage from thirteen lactating dairy cattle. BMC Microbiology, 13. doi: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-242
2013
Journal Article
Effect of prior distributions on accuracy of genomic breeding values for two dairy traits
Nicolazzi, Ezequiel L., Negrini, Riccardo, Chamberlain, Amanda J., Goddard, Michael E., Marsan, Paolo Ajmone and Hayes, Ben J. (2013). Effect of prior distributions on accuracy of genomic breeding values for two dairy traits. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 12 (4) e91, 555-561. doi: 10.4081/ijas.2013.e91
2013
Journal Article
Metagenomic predictions: from microbiome to complex health and environmental phenotypes in humans and cattle
Ross, Elizabeth M., Moate, Peter J., Marett, Leah C., Cocks, Ben G. and Hayes, Ben J. (2013). Metagenomic predictions: from microbiome to complex health and environmental phenotypes in humans and cattle. PLoS One, 8 (9) e73056, e73056. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073056
2013
Book Chapter
Overview of statistical methods for genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
Hayes, Ben (2013). Overview of statistical methods for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genome-wide association studies and genomic prediction. (pp. 149-169) New York, NY, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-447-0_6
2013
Journal Article
Inferring demography from runs of homozygosity in whole-genome sequence, with correction for sequence errors
MacLeod, Iona M., Larkin, Denis M., Lewin, Harris A., Hayes, Ben J. and Goddard, Mike E. (2013). Inferring demography from runs of homozygosity in whole-genome sequence, with correction for sequence errors. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 30 (9), 2209-2223. doi: 10.1093/molbev/mst125
2013
Journal Article
Investigating the effect of two methane-mitigating diets on the rumen microbiome using massively parallel sequencing
Ross, E. M., Moate, P. J., Marett, L., Cocks, B. G. and Hayes, B. J. (2013). Investigating the effect of two methane-mitigating diets on the rumen microbiome using massively parallel sequencing. Journal of Dairy Science, 96 (9), 6030-6046. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-6766
2013
Conference Publication
Use of molecular technologies for the advancement of animal breeding: genomic selection in dairy cattle populations in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand
Spelman, Richard J., Hayes, Ben J. and Berry, Donagh P. (2013). Use of molecular technologies for the advancement of animal breeding: genomic selection in dairy cattle populations in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. Clayton, VIC, Australia: C S I R O Publishing. doi: 10.1071/AN12304
2013
Journal Article
Genes of the RNASE5 pathway contain SNP associated with milk production traits in dairy cattle
Raven, Lesley-Ann, Cocks, Benjamin G., Pryce, Jennie E., Cottrell, Jeremy J. and Hayes, Ben J. (2013). Genes of the RNASE5 pathway contain SNP associated with milk production traits in dairy cattle. Genetics Selection Evolution, 45 (1) 25, 391-398. doi: 10.1186/1297-9686-45-25
2013
Journal Article
Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs
Wray, Naomi R., Yang, Jian, Hayes, Ben J., Price, Alkes L., Goddard, Michael E. and Visscher, Peter M. (2013). Pitfalls of predicting complex traits from SNPs. Nature Reviews Genetics, 14 (7), 507-515. doi: 10.1038/nrg3457
2013
Journal Article
The future of livestock breeding: genomic selection for efficiency, reduced emissions intensity, and adaptation
Hayes, Ben J., Lewin, Harris A. and Goddard, Michael E. (2013). The future of livestock breeding: genomic selection for efficiency, reduced emissions intensity, and adaptation. Trends in Genetics, 29 (4), 206-214. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2012.11.009
2013
Journal Article
Prospects for genomic selection in forage plant species
Hayes, Benjamin J., Cogan, Noel O. I., Pembleton, Luke W., Goddard, Michael E., Wang, Junping, Spangenberg, German C. and Forster, John W. (2013). Prospects for genomic selection in forage plant species. Plant Breeding, 132 (2), 133-143. doi: 10.1111/pbr.12037
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ben Hayes is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
New approaches to maximise gain and genetic diversity in plant breeding programs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic selection for finfish Breeding Programs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
AI-accelerated breeding of high-protein mungbean
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Eric Dinglasan, Dr Millicent Smith
-
Doctor Philosophy
New mate allocation strategies to accelerate genetic gain in agricultural species.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eric Dinglasan, Dr Elizabeth Ross, Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
On farm genomics for selection and management in aquaculture: tank-side genotyping
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hannah Siddle
-
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular genetic analysis of rust disease resistance in wheat using cutting-edge technologies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Eric Dinglasan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic prediction for faster genetic gains in sugarcane improvement
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eric Dinglasan, Dr Seema Yadav
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
-
Doctor Philosophy
Predicting better parents to accelerate genetic gain in wheat breeding
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alison Kelly, Associate Professor Karine Chenu, Dr Eric Dinglasan, Professor Lee Hickey
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic Prediction of Specific Combining Ability in Sugarcane
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Seema Yadav
-
Master Philosophy
Applying genomics tools for novel nematode resistance in sugarcane
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Eric Dinglasan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular genetic analysis of multi-disease resistance in barley using cutting-edge technologies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Eric Dinglasan
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Genotype by environment interaction for beef cattle fertility traits in northern Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ben Wood, Dr Elizabeth Ross
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic selection in multi-breed and multi-subspecies populations
Principal Advisor
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Optimising Genomic Selection for Sugarcane
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Dr Elizabeth Ross, Dr Owen Powell
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
On-farm genotyping to accelerate genetic gain in Australia's northern beef industry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elizabeth Ross
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
A transcriptomic-based comparison of host leukocyte and skin responses to cattle tick infestation in Brangus steers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elizabeth Ross, Professor Ala Tabor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Correlation Scan: developing and applying a new method to uncover the genomic locations that affect the genetic correlations between traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Marina Fortes
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Pathogenomics of bovine infertility in northern Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Conny Turni, Associate Professor Gry Boe-Hansen, Professor Ala Tabor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating envirotyping methodology to evaluate contributions of stay-green traits to wheat yield in Australian environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Cooper, Associate Professor Karine Chenu, Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Professor Lee Hickey
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Strategies to improve dairy cow productivity and welfare in Vietnam
Associate Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating genomic selection and speed breeding to increase genetic gain in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Selection strategies to improve yield in macadamia using component traits and genomics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry, Associate Professor Craig Hardner, Dr Mobashwer Alam, Professor Bruce Topp
Media
Enquiries
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