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
2012
Journal Article
A review of how dairy farmers can use and profit from genomic technologies
Pryce, Jennie and Hayes, Ben (2012). A review of how dairy farmers can use and profit from genomic technologies. Animal Production Science, 52 (3), 180-184. doi: 10.1071/AN11172
2012
Journal Article
Design and phenotyping procedures for recording wool, skin, parasite resistance, growth, carcass yield and quality traits of the SheepGENOMICS mapping flock
White, Jason D., Allingham, Peter G., Gorman, Chris M., Emery, David L., Hynd, Philip, Owens, John, Bell, Amy, Siddell, Jason, Harper, Greg, Hayes, Ben J., Daetwyler, Hans D., Usmar, Jonathan, Goddard, Mike E., Henshall, John M., Dominik, Sonja, Brewer, Heather, van der Werf, Julius H. J., Nicholas, Frank W., Warner, Robyn, Hofmyer, Chris, Longhurst, Terry, Fisher, Troy, Swan, Paul, Forage, Rob and Oddy, V. Hutton (2012). Design and phenotyping procedures for recording wool, skin, parasite resistance, growth, carcass yield and quality traits of the SheepGENOMICS mapping flock. Animal Production Science, 52 (2-3), 157-171. doi: 10.1071/AN11085
2012
Journal Article
Components of the accuracy of genomic prediction in a multi-breed sheep population
Daetwyler, H. D., Kemper, K. E., van der Werf, J. H. J. and Hayes, B. J. (2012). Components of the accuracy of genomic prediction in a multi-breed sheep population. Journal of Animal Science, 90 (10), 3375-3384. doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4557
2012
Journal Article
Validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with milk production traits in dairy cattle
Chamberlain, A. J., Hayes, B. J., Savin, K., Bolormaa, S., McPartlan, H. C., Bowman, P. J., Van der Jagt, C., MacEachern, S. and Goddard, M. E. (2012). Validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with milk production traits in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 95 (2), 864-875. doi: 10.3168/jds.2010-3786
2012
Journal Article
Accuracy of genotype imputation in sheep breeds
Hayes, B. J., Bowman, P. J., Daetwyler, H. D., Kijas, J. W. and van der Werf, J. H. J. (2012). Accuracy of genotype imputation in sheep breeds. Animal Genetics, 43 (1), 72-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02208.x
2012
Journal Article
Genome-Wide Analysis of the World's Sheep Breeds Reveals High Levels of Historic Mixture and Strong Recent Selection
Kijas, James W., Lenstra, Johannes A., Hayes, Ben, Boitard, Simon, Neto, Laercio R. Porto, San Cristobal, Magali, Servin, Bertrand, McCulloch, Russell, Whan, Vicki, Gietzen, Kimberly, Paiva, Samuel, Barendse, William, Ciani, Elena, Raadsma, Herman, McEwan, John, Dalrymple, Brian and Int Sheep Genomics Consortium (2012). Genome-Wide Analysis of the World's Sheep Breeds Reveals High Levels of Historic Mixture and Strong Recent Selection. PLoS Biology, 10 (2) e1001258, e1001258. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001258
2012
Book Chapter
Genome-wide association studies and linkage disequilibrium in cattle
Goddard, M. E. and Hayes, B. J. (2012). Genome-wide association studies and linkage disequilibrium in cattle. Bovine genomics. (pp. 192-210) edited by James E. Womack. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118301739.ch13
2012
Journal Article
Novel strategies to minimize progeny inbreeding while maximizing genetic gain using genomic information
Pryce, J. E., Hayes, B. J. and Goddard, M. E. (2012). Novel strategies to minimize progeny inbreeding while maximizing genetic gain using genomic information. Journal of Dairy Science, 95 (1), 377-388. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-4254
2011
Journal Article
A dense SNP-based linkage map for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reveals extended chromosome homeologies and striking differences in sex-specific recombination patterns
Lien, Sigbjorn, Gidskehaug, Lars, Moen, Thomas, Hayes, Ben J., Berg, Paul R., Davidson, William S., Omholt, Stig W. and Kent, Matthew P. (2011). A dense SNP-based linkage map for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reveals extended chromosome homeologies and striking differences in sex-specific recombination patterns. BMC Genomics, 12 (1) 615. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-615
2011
Journal Article
Use of a microsatellite-based pedigree in estimation of heritabilities for economic traits in Australian blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis
Nguyen, T. T. T., Hayes, B. J., Guthridge, K., Ab Rahim, E. S. and Ingram, B. A. (2011). Use of a microsatellite-based pedigree in estimation of heritabilities for economic traits in Australian blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 128 (6), 482-490. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2011.00948.x
2011
Journal Article
Impacts of stock enhancement strategies on the effective population size of Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii, a threatened Australian fish
Ingram, B. A., Hayes, B. and Rourke, M. L. (2011). Impacts of stock enhancement strategies on the effective population size of Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii, a threatened Australian fish. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 18 (6), 467-481. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2011.00798.x
2011
Journal Article
Using the genomic relationship matrix to predict the accuracy of genomic selection
Goddard, M. E., Hayes, B. J. and Meuwissen, T. H. E. (2011). Using the genomic relationship matrix to predict the accuracy of genomic selection. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 128 (6), 409-421. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2011.00964.x
2011
Journal Article
Quantitative trait loci for clinical mastitis on chromosomes 2, 6, 14 and 20 in Norwegian Red cattle
Sodeland, M., Kent, M. P., Olsen, H. G., Opsal, M. A., Svendsen, M., Sehested, E., Hayes, B. J. and Lien, S. (2011). Quantitative trait loci for clinical mastitis on chromosomes 2, 6, 14 and 20 in Norwegian Red cattle. Animal Genetics, 42 (5), 457-465. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02165.x
2011
Journal Article
Genome-wide association mapping in Norwegian Red cattle identifies quantitative trait loci for fertility and milk production on BTA12
Olsen, H. G., Hayes, B. J., Kent, M. P., Nome, T., Svendsen, M., Larsgard, A. G. and Lien, S. (2011). Genome-wide association mapping in Norwegian Red cattle identifies quantitative trait loci for fertility and milk production on BTA12. Animal Genetics, 42 (5), 466-474. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02179.x
2011
Journal Article
Imputation of missing genotypes from sparse to high density using long-range phasing
Daetwyler, Hans D., Wiggans, George R., Hayes, Ben J., Woolliams, John A. and Goddard, Mike E. (2011). Imputation of missing genotypes from sparse to high density using long-range phasing. Genetics, 189 (1), 317-327. doi: 10.1534/genetics.111.128082
2011
Journal Article
Variation in residual feed intake in Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers in southern Australia
Williams, Y. J., Pryce, J. E., Grainger, C., Wales, W. J., Linden, N., Porker, M. and Hayes, B. J. (2011). Variation in residual feed intake in Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers in southern Australia. Journal of Dairy Science, 94 (9), 4715-4725. doi: 10.3168/jds.2010-4015
2011
Journal Article
Molecular characterization of a long range haplotype affecting protein yield and mastitis susceptibility in Norwegian Red cattle
Sodeland, Marte, Grove, Harald, Kent, Matthew, Taylor, Simon, Svendsen, Morten, Hayes, Ben J. and Lien, Sigbjorn (2011). Molecular characterization of a long range haplotype affecting protein yield and mastitis susceptibility in Norwegian Red cattle. BMC Genetics, 12 70. doi: 10.1186/1471-2156-12-70
2011
Journal Article
Genetic parameters for growth and survival in Penaeus monodon cultured in India
Krishna, Gopal, Gopikrishna, Gopalapillay, Gopal, Chavali, Jahageerdar, Shrinivas, Ravichandran, Pitchaiyappan, Kannappan, Sudalyandi, Pillai, Subramaniapillai M., Paulpandi, Sivagnanam, Kiran, Remanibhaskaran P., Saraswati, Ramamoorthy, Venugopal, Gundaboena, Kumar, Dilip, Gitterle, Thomas, Lozano, Carlos, Rye, Morten and Hayes, Ben (2011). Genetic parameters for growth and survival in Penaeus monodon cultured in India. Aquaculture, 318 (1-2), 74-78. doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2011.04.028
2011
Journal Article
Effect of stocking density, water exchange rate and tank substrate on growth and survival of post-larvae of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798)
Gopikrishna, G., Gopal, C., Krishna, G., Jahageerdar, S., Rye, M., Lozano, C., Gitterle, T., Venugopal, G., Paulpandi, S., Ravichandran, P., Pillai, S. M., Ponniah, A. G. and Hayes, B. (2011). Effect of stocking density, water exchange rate and tank substrate on growth and survival of post-larvae of Penaeus monodon (Fabricius, 1798). Indian Journal of Fisheries, 58 (3), 57-61.
2011
Journal Article
Application of site and haplotype-frequency based approaches for detecting selection signatures in cattle
Qanbari, Saber, Gianola, Daniel, Hayes, Ben, Schenkel, Flavio, Miller, Steve, Moore, Stephen, Thaller, Georg and Simianer, Henner (2011). Application of site and haplotype-frequency based approaches for detecting selection signatures in cattle. BMC Genomics, 12 (1) 318. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-318
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ben Hayes is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing methane emissions and improving profitability in Northern Australian beef
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kieren McCosker
-
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
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
-
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
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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