A Steak in Genomics™

I had the privilege of speaking during the North Carolina Cattlemen's Convention. Thanks to Daniel Poole and the North Carolina Cattlemen's staff for bringing me out. Below are my slides. Using DNA on your farm to select more profitable cattle from Jared Decker Midwest producers, if you would like to learn more about these topics (and many more) please attend one of our five  ReproGene Workshops held across Missouri.

Five meetings explain options. Making quality beef for more farm profits becomes predictable by using genetic testing. Meetings across Missouri will review current breeding technology and explain new genomic tools. University of Missouri Extension specialists plan meetings in Maryville, Kingsville, Macon, Springfield and Jackson. The five meetings are called "ReproGene:  Taking the next steps in beef cattle reproduction and genetics." Missouri herd owners can learn to produce more profitable cattle with better genetics.  EPDs, expected progeny differences, guided improvement. With genomic testing, all heifers in a herd can be DNA-tested. This provides accurate predictions of future calf performance. Now producers can use genetic information on the male and female side of the herd, Decker says. On the reproduction side, Dave Patterson will tell of new research that offers better conception rates from artificial insemination (AI). Split-time AI gets more cows pregnant.

Denton, Texas — Cattlemen and women frequently ask if DNA scores are truly predictive of phenotypic results. A recent study completed by the Red Angus Association gathered DNA data on a set of Red Angus calves and followed the cattle through harvest, collecting phenotypic data. The results illustrated the Igenity® DNA scores accurately predicted carcass weight, marbling score and overall carcass value. The cattle were raised and owned by Bob and Elaine Yackley of Onida, South Dakota, and fed at a custom feed yard. A total of 91 head of 2015-born steers comprised the group that was DNA tested with Igenity Silver and followed through harvest to obtain carcass data on each individual animal. The top 25 head with the highest DNA scores for Average Daily Gain (ADG) and marbling were compared to the bottom 25 head, which exhibited the lowest combined DNA scores for the same two traits. Summarized results for the two groups are shown in the table. This comparative analysis reveals that