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Showing posts from February, 2016

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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

Main Point: Embrace Science and Tech

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Today, an article I wrote appeared in BEEF Magazine's Cow-Calf Weekly. Do we HAVE to cull genetic defect cattle? Science says no In this article, I used genetic defects as a case study for what happens when we don't embrace the new opportunities science provides. Science now allows us to manage genetic defects differently than we did 50 years ago. But, I fear with all of the baggage genetic defects bring, that my main point will be lost. My main point is simple. Embrace science. Embrace technology. Embrace new approaches. I love that Burke Teichert encourages us to be a constant learner searching for better practices. I have also tried to encourage people to embrace science . In conclusion, I am not a genetic defects zealot. Manage them how you see fit. But, I am a science zealot! Please look for ways science and technology can benefit your operation. For different production systems and breeding objectives, how science is used will look differently. Science can

Genomic ROI: Early Returns Suggest Premium for Show-Me-Plus™ Heifers

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Anyone familiar with the Missouri beef industry, knows the Show-Me-Select™ Heifer Program. In 2015, we started a new heifer classification in the Show-Me-Select™ Heifer Program , called Show-Me-Plus™. A Show-Me-Plus heifer simply has a genomic prediction, either reported as genomic-enhanced EPDs for registered heifers or genomic tests for commercial heifers. At the most recent board meeting, the board approved 5 additional products; now heifers qualify for Show-Me-Plus™ with breed association GE-EPDs, GeneMax Focus, GeneMax Advantage, Gelbvieh Maternal Edge, Red Angus Herd Navigator, Igenity Gold, Igenity Silver, Igenity Gold Angus, Igenity Silver Angus, Method Choice, and Method Commercial tests. In the Southeast, West Central, and North Central sales, there were 33 lots of 86 heifers that carried the Show-Me-Plus ™  label. Below are the summary statistics for the 2015 Fall Sales, breaking heifers out by Tier II (sire identified heifer out of a proven AI sire), pregnancy, and Sh