A Steak in Genomics™

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Red Angus Seeking Input on Selection Indexes

December 05, 2019

The Red Angus Association of America is seeking feedback on their economic selection indexes. Producers can provide feedback at this link:
https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5183855/RedAngusAssociation?fbclid=IwAR3qskT1DJ6UMbSIS2R3ul316FQ6L_k-Gt_DYDq8wB8omLQOgkG1yCuAGbM

To be frank, I am conflicted by this process.

On one hand, I think it is important to have translational research be a collaborative process. Further, users are more likely to trust and use a technology if they were involved in its creation.

However, often times, optimal selection decisions are counterintuitive (need to write a blog post on this). I feel strongly that selection decisions are best made when driven by data, and that includes design of selection tools.

American Angus Association went through a similar process, and it is my understanding they used the survey data to weight economic importance of traits that are hard to pin down, such as claw set and docility. Traits that are economically important, but are some…

2019 National Beef Essay Contest: “What does it mean to be a beef breeder in the 21st century?”

December 04, 2019

Youth interested in the beef industry are encouraged to compete in a national essay contest. Essays should respond to the prompt “What does it mean to be a beef breeder in the 21st century?”

The winning essay will be published in one of BEEF magazine’s online newsletters (e.g. BEEF Daily or BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly). The 2nd through 5th place essays will be published on A Steak in Genomics blog. We will award $500 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third place in the contest. Winners will be announced at the Mizzou Youth Livestock Judging Clinic on March 7th.

Essays will be judged by beef genetics extension specialists, breed association staff, and trade publication staff.

Essays will be judged on their ability to encourage best practices and technology adoption by describing:
Trust and effectiveness of beef breeding best practices and technologies.Simplicity of using technology.The profit and sustainability outcomes of using best practices and technology.

Essays are required to be at le…

NCBA Cattlemen's Webinar: Winter Supplementation for Your Herd

November 14, 2019

November 21, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m. CST
During winter, many cattlemen and women utilize harvested forages and even crop residues to serve as the primary diet for their cattle when most grazing forages go dormant. However, many of these feedstuffs may not meet the dietary requirements of the animal. Join Dr. Tryon Wickersham, Texas A&M; Dr. Eric Bailey, University of Missouri; and Dr. Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska as they cover the importance of supplementing your herd when generally lower quality feedstuffs make up a majority of the animals diet specific to regions across the U.S.

Click to Get Registered Today!Tell your fellow producers on social media!Share

Webinar: EPDs 101, Use Information to Improve Your Herd

October 23, 2019

I will be hosting a webinar tomorrow night, October 24th, at 6:30 PM Central Daylight Time. We will discuss EPD basics, genomic testing, selection decisions, and considerations for using EPDs.

You can join the Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below:
https://missouri.zoom.us/j/134203468

You will need to install Zoom on your computer prior to joining the webinar.

You can also join by phone for audio.

Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 134 203 468
Webinar is limited to the first 100 participants.

Participants will be able to type questions in the chat box.

Looking forward to the webinar tomorrow night!

Selection for Improved Carcass in Red Angus

October 07, 2019

by Ryan Boldt, Director of Breed Improvement, RAAA

Selection for carcass trait performance is important to keep in mind when making bull-purchasing decisions. Most carcass traits are moderately heritable in nature. In seedstock animals, the best method to collect information about carcass-trait performance is through the use of ultrasound imagining.

Generally, ultrasound information is collected on seedstock animals at a year of age. When an ultrasound is collected, up to four measurements are taken. The most common measurements recorded include intramuscular fat, backfat, and rib eye area which serves as the best indicators for carcass marbling score, carcass back fat and carcass ribeye area.

The ultrasound information is collected via a probe that emits high-frequency sound waves. The probe is placed on the animals back and an image is created that shows the difference between different tissues under the animal’s hide. These images are captured by a certified ultrasound technician a…

Neogen partners with IGS to enhance Igenity® Beef Profile

October 02, 2019

Neogen Corporation announced September 19th, 2019 that it has entered into a collaboration with International Genetic Solutions (IGS). The effort is focused on heightening genomic impact in the IGS platform, the only major multibreed beef genetic evaluation available, and at the same time greatly enhancing the research and development necessary to continue to improve Neogen’s Igenity® Beef Profile.

The Igenity Beef Profile is a leading global genetic testing product that helps producers of both straightbred and crossbred beef commercial cattle select their best animals for breeding programs. IGS delivers the most credible, objectively described, user-friendly and science-based genetic predictions to enhance the profitability of beef cattle producers who look to leverage the full power of expected progeny differences (EPDs).
“As part of this partnership, Neogen will benefit from access to information that will improve the Igenity Beef Profile, and IGS will endorse and promote the use of…