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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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Hair Shedding Update and Reminders


It is the time of year to once again record and report hair shedding scores. This fact sheet on eBEEF.org should come in handy.

Participants in our hair shedding genomic research project should have received an email from Harly Durbin. This email contained an Excel file to report hair shedding scores on enrolled cattle. If not, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. We must receive 2017 data in these Excel files!

It is important that we receive data on our target goal of 8,000 cattle. If your cattle are enrolled in the research program, we should have received DNA cards and 2016 data from you by now. If we have not yet received your data, you are in danger of being removed from the program. If we have not received your data, please get in touch with Harly and I by email or by phone.

We know receiving genomic-enhanced EPDs is very important to hair shedding study participants. This is also a priority to us. We have worked with breed associations and GeneSeek to make this happen.

For IGS breed associations, we are sending genotypes from Mizzou to Mahdi Saatchi, IGS’s genomic scientist. We are still working out how the data will be formatted when we send the data between Mizzou and IGS. For other breed associations, we are sending genotype data directly from GeneSeek to the breed association.

Many participants will start to receive GE-EPDs for their animals in the next few weeks.

Please be patient with us. We are not a service provider. This is our first time sharing research genotypes with breed associations. So, we are forging a new path. Please stick with us as we create tools to select more heat tolerant and sustainable cattle.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns. Or, see our FAQ page.

We appreciate your help and interest in this project!

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