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Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

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By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal...
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Angus Association Refines Genetic Evaluation
Expect Changes in $B Index Rankings

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*UPDATED 7 October 2014

I had a brief meeting with Dan Moser of Angus Genetics Inc today in which he informed me of several updates to the American Angus Association's genetic evaluations.

First of all, heifer pregnancy EPDs, which were not estimated this summer, are once again being successfully estimated. When the dataset became large the analysis would no longer run properly. Previously, the heifer's service sire was fit as a fixed effect in the EPD equations. This means sires were forced to have the same conception rate in every herd. In the new model, the service sire's conception rate is fit as a random effect, meaning that we do not perfectly measure the conception rate and allow for factors that influence conception, such as differences in semen handling, to vary between herds. The base year of the heifer pregnancy EPD was also changed from 2000 to 2005 due to 2005 being the earliest year with a large amount of pregnancy data.

Second, the fourth recalibration of Zoetis' genomic predictions was completed this summer. Very few changes were seen. The only trait that saw some movement was carcass weight. With over 60,000 animals genotyped most of the diversity within U.S. Angus has likely been sampled. Further, the effects of the approximately 50,000 SNPs have likely been accurately estimated.

Lastly, feed intake data will be incorporated into the $B (dollar beef) economic index this December. This is done to account for feed efficiency differences between animals. The cost of feed is a major driver of profit in the feed yard. The Angus Association now has sufficient data to include this important economically relevant trait in the $B index. Many sires that previously ranked high for the $B index will continue to rank high because they have excellent feed efficiency. But, many sires that have excellent growth, marbling, and yield, yet because their progeny inefficiently use feed will rank lower for the $B index. So, if your favorite $B sire drops in the rankings come December you now know why. This knowledge will allow you to make corrective matings in the future to increase the feed efficiency of your herd.

*My apologies to AGI staff for inaccuracies that appeared in the first version of this post.

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