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Showing posts from November, 2013

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Hereford and Red Angus Heifers Recruited for Genomics Research

The University of Missouri is recruiting 2,500 Hereford heifers and 2,500 Red Angus heifers to participate in a heifer puberty and fertility genomic research project. Heifers should be registered Hereford, registered Red Angus, or commercial Hereford or Red Angus. Hereford x Red Angus crossbred heifers targeted for the Premium Red Baldy Program would also be a good fit for the research project. Producers must be willing to work with a trained veterinarian to collect the following data: ReproductiveTract Scores collected at a pre-breeding exam 30 to 45 days prior to the start of the breeding season. PelvicMeasurements (height and width) collected at the same pre-breeding exam 30 to 45 days prior to the start of the breeding season. Pregnancy Determination Using Ultrasound reporting fetal age in days. Ultrasound will need to occur no later than 90 days after the start of the breeding season. In addition, heifers must have known birth dates and have weights recorded eithe
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Beef Genetic Prediction Workshop to be held at Kansas City, Dec. 12-13

by Duane Dailey As animal scientists and farmers learn more about beef cattle genetics, this knowledge will be used to make predictions and select breeding stock. A Genetic Prediction Workshop will be held in Kansas City, Dec. 12-13, to share the latest information and experiences. “We’re at a stage where beef breeders, especially seed-stock producers, can learn and add to the discussion,” says Jared Decker, University of Missouri Extension geneticist, Columbia. The conference brings together academic, beef industry, breed association and cattle producer leaders. “Ways to use genomics in cattle selection will be a major focus,” Decker said. The conference is hosted by the Beef Improvement Federation, a national group. The speakers will share their progress. An aim will be to work on ways to use the genome to enhance EPDs (expected progeny differences). Commercial cattle producers can use those EPDs to select breeding stock. The meeting will include plans for making acro
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Presentation on broken genes in beef cattle
National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium Brown Bagger seminar

One of the focuses of my  extension program  is helping farmers and ranchers understand how to manage genetic defects in their herds and how science is changing how we identify these broken genes. I recently gave a webinar during the NCBEC Brown Bagger series , which can be viewed here . I know each producers is going to have different opinions about managing defects. The point I strive to make is that we need to use optimal strategies to manage these loss-of-function mutations .
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